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Shekhawati
Tourism
This is a semi desert region in north Rajasthan and it is situated entirely in the triangle between
Delhi-Bikaner-Jaipur. Shekhawati is a region and not just a town or fort; it takes its name after its ruler Rao
Shekha. Shekhawati means the garden of Shekha.
The towns of Shekhawati are eminent for their amazing painted
havelis. Such is the appeal of the havelis that this region is dubbed as "open art gallery of
Rajasthan". The plethora of painted Havelis in rich artistic tradition makes it commendable and fascinating.
Most of the buildings are dated from 18th century to early 20th century. The Shekhawati landscape is dotted with so many havelis that tracking them is something like a treasure hunt. Various forms of fine art adorn the walls and the ceilings of these structures, complimenting the otherwise flat and barren land.
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The havelis are noted for their frescos depicting mythological themes and that of huge animals. Some later day frescos shows the arrival of the British and highlighting steam locomotives and train doubtlessly for the benefit of those members of the household who did not travel to distance places by train or see this newly introduced mode of transport.
There are also forts, minor castles, mosques, wells called baoris and chattris to discover. The Rajputs mostly depicted the themes of historical events, personages' folk-heroes and the prominent war scenes, while the Marwaris concentrated more on religious themes but with the passage of time the themes too began to divert towards the modern views.
At the decline of Mughal Empire after the death of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1707 the descendants of Rao Shekha encroached upon areas west of Aravali Range also.
The chieftains of the region retained nominal loyalty to Amber, who in turn honoured them with the title of
'tazmi sardars'. It was probably this exposure to the courts of Jaipur that encouraged these thakurs initiate their great succession of fresco.
By the beginning of the nineteenth century British had established major ports at Calcutta (now
Kolkata) and Bombay (now Mumbai) that were able to handle larger volumes of trade than ports in Gujarat.
Moreover with Jaipur reducing its levies the Shekhawati route was almost abandoned by traders. However the Shekhawati merchants who were seasoned businessmen migrated en masse to the more lucrative centres of Calcutta and Bombay. Here they earned unparallel wealth and send huge sums home, which were used for building
havelis, social welfare, wells, reservoirs, schools etc. |
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Baggar
Location : 14 KM from Jhunjhunu
By Road : Bagar is well connected by regular bus services conducted by RSRTC
Baggar Is a small town known for the Piramal Haveli, which accepts guests in its eight room on prior booking. The Hotel serves pure vegetarian food.
The Piramal Haveli, JhunJhunu - Rajasthan
History : This was the home of Seth Piramal Chaturbhuj Makharia (1892-1958) whose fortune was made in Bombay, trading in cotton, opium, silver and other commodities.
Built in the Rajasthani-colonial style of the 1920's, The Piramal Haveli is an 8-room'non-hotel.' It is 250 kms.from Delhi and 100 kms. from Neemrana and is run by the same management. Here, the famed traditional vegetarian cuisine of the Marwaris is served in thalis.
Dinners on the sand dunes can also be arranged at a prior notice, for a minimum of 8 guests.The region of Shekhavati, where The Piramal Haveli is located, was made into an independent kingdom in 1471 by Rao Shekha (1433-1488), till 1738, when it reverted back to the Jaipur State. The Haveli has traditional courtyards enclosed by colonial pillared corridors. Frescoes of flying angels and gods in motor cars adorn the walls.
Activities : Within Haveli Walls
* Games: Playing cards, Carrom board, Chess, Badminton, Treasure Hunt, Musical Chairs.
* Library: Book reading
Outside Haveli Walls
* Tour of Shekhavati to visit frescoed Havelis.
* Visit to the Sati Temple in JhunJhunu.
* Visit to Nawalgarh (to visit old step well & painted Havelis).
* Rajasthani dinner on the sand dunes (for a minimum of 6 guests on prior notice) or in the courtyard.
Places of Tourist Interest
* Fatehsagar Water Tank
* Rungta Haveli
* Rungta Dharmashala
* Miya Saheb ki Durgah
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Bissau
Is another small town of fluctuating fortunes. Keshri Singh founded the town. The town fell into anarchies when his grandson Shyam Singh extorted huge sums of money from the local merchant. The merchants packed up and fled the town and the local Thakurs resorted wide spread looting and decoity. However on the death of Shyam Singh his heir then restored normalcy and the merchants were encouraged
Location: 40 Km. from Jhunjhunu, 12 Km. from Churu.
By Road: Bissau is well connected by private & R.S.R.T.C. bus services.
By Train : Bissau is well connected by trains with big cities alongwith the neighbouring tourist towns like as churu, Mahansar, Ramgarth,Fatehpur, Laxmangarh & Sikar.
Places of Tourist Interest
- Raj ki Chhatri (A Cenotaph)
- Jai Narain Gopi Ram Tibrewal Haveli.
- Chandi Prasad sigatia Haveli.
- Budhar Mal Mertia Haveli.
- Shri Lal Didwania (Tibrewal) Haveli.
- Girdhari Lal Sigatia Haveli.
- Bajrang Lal sigatia Haveli.
- Radhey Shyam Singhania Haveli.
- Satya Narain Banwari Lal Bagla Haveli.
- Hari Prasad Nand Lal Kyala Haveli.
- Hari Bax Fatehpuria Haveli.
- Kashi prasad Vaidhya (Khemka) Haveli.
- Ram Dayal Fatehpuria Haveli.
- Brij Mohan Kanodia Haveli.
- Jorawar Mal Poddar Haveli.
- Fort.
- Temple of Venkat Bihari Ji.
- Temple of Narsingh Deo Ji.
- Nathu Ram Poddar Haveli.
- Murli Dhar Hira Lal Jhunjhunuwala ki Haveli.
- Niranjan Lal jai Dayal Kedia Haveli.
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Dundlod
A small village situated in the heart of the Shekhawati region, Dundlod is a must-visit travel destination in Rajasthan. Dundlod is a small village peppered with a cluster of forts, havelis and baolis. Travel to this village is like visiting an open-air art gallery that has not changed much since the time it was built.
The Dundlod Fort is an embodiment of the cultural amalgamation of the Rajputana and Mughal Schools of art and architecture. Its motif of flowers and foliage, minarets, mythological paintings, archaic furniture, wall hangings of arrows and shields have remained unchanged since ages. A tour of Dundlod Fort is almost like living through the days of James Tod who once described the splendors of Rajasthan. On every dawn the first ray of the sun falls over the fort as an eternal blessing to this land of mystique and charisma.
The Diwan Khana is built in the Mughal architectural style and is furnished with Louis the XIV furniture. It has a magnificent library, with a very rich collection of rare books on Indian history. One can see the family portraits of the thakurs, which remind one of the times gone by. Above this lies the Duchatta from where the ladies watched the court ceremonies in purdah.
The Tuganram Goenka Haveli is often locked but one can see fine mirror work above the windows on the upper walls of the courtyard. Finely preserved paintings under the eaves mostly comprise portraits in round frames.
The haveli opposite this one is interesting, as the work could not be completed and it is possible to see how the artist sketched the drawings before adding color. Pictures include those of an elephant, a camel and its rider, and a horse.
The Jagathia Haveli and Satyanarayan Temple are the other attractions in Dundlod.
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Fatehpur
The Muslim Nawabs established Fatehpur in 1451 and the Shekhawati Rajputs took it over in the 18th century. The opulence of the local merchants is so evident from the richly painted havelis of Poddars, Choudhuri and the Ganeriwalas families. The town is also a good base to visit nearby towns of Lakshmangarh and Mandawa.
HAVELIS
Mahaveer Prasad Goenka haveli built is 1885 is believed to have some of the best frescos in perfect match of colour and design. The haveli maybe mostly locked and may take several visits to be able to see it.
Geori Shankar Haveli is a good example of mirrored mosaic ceiling. Haveli Nadine is a haveli purchased by a French artist Nadine Le Prince. It retains some good painting is shades predominantly in red and blue.
The artist is energetically restoring the painting and for the time being visitors is not allowed. The Choudaharia Haveli though in an extreme state of deteriorations has a rare departure of an erotic painting.
The Jagannath Singhania Haveli has some fine paintings of Radha and Krishna and shows some British men holding guns. The others havelis, which are notable are Harkishan Das Saraogi Haveli and Vishnunath Keria Haveli.
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