Shekhawati

Tucked away within the northern desert reaches of Rajasthan, Shekhawati remains suspended in time, dotted with grand havelis with beautiful frescos and murals, and ancient temples and stepwells adorned with intricate carvings. a mirrored image of the opulent lifestyle of the rich merchants of the region, Shekhawati boasts the legacy of the traders who bestowed it with its architectural gems. A photographer’s dream, every nook and cranny of the district is alive with the vibrancy of colourful paintings that are almost sort of a picture story, revolving around religious legends, folklore and highlights of its lavish past. Most of those havelis were abandoned by their owners, once they migrated to other parts of the country for trade. Today, they need been restored and became museums, heritage resorts and hotels.

The history of Shekhawati is rooted within the Matsya kingdom and has also been mentioned within the ancient Indian texts of Rig Veda and Manusmriti. Rao Shekha from Dhundhar established Shekhawati with its capital at Amarsar. He divided the region into 33 villages that were fortified with mud and stone forts. A prominent trading centre of the 14th century, Shekhawati is now a tourist hub in Rajasthan.

How To Get There

By Air

The nearest airport is at Jaipur, about 2.5 hours away.

By Road

The place is well-connected with State Highway 8, 37 and 41 that provide direct routes to Jaipur, Delhi and Bikaner.

By Rail

The nearest Railway station is the Jhunjhunu Railway station that is connected to major cities like Jaipur, Delhi, Indore etc.

Attractions In Shekhawati

Mandawa Fort

Perched atop the Aravalli Hills, the Mandawa Fort is one among the architectural gems of the region. Such is that the grandeur of the fort that it’s often been the backdrop of flicks like Bajarangi Bhaijan, Love Aaj Kal, Mirzya and Jab We Met. inbuilt 18th century, the fort houses many rooms, featuring antique decor, beautiful paintings of Lord Krishna and other gods and goddesses and comple...

Sethani ka Johara

One of the best reservoirs within the area, Sethani ka Johara, attracts variety of birds and animals, including nilgai which will often be sighted near it. From here, visitors can get picturesque views of the dipping sun because the water reflects multiple hues of sunlight and therefore the skyline looks drenched orange. The layout of the reservoir is such it's various arched entryways that c...

Ratangarh Fort

Built by Surat Singh in the18th century, the Ratangarh Fort is understood for its grand gateways, monuments and a tower referred to as the Ghantaghar. Surrounded by ethnic villages and brilliant stretches of landscape, the fort makes for a beautiful tourist stopover. The Ratangarh Fort has been named after Maharaja Ratan Singh, son of Surat Singh. it's said that it had been attacked twice by T...

Kanahiyalal Bagla Haveli

Built around 1880, the Kanhaiyalal Bagla Haveli may be a gorgeous structure that boasts intricate lattice-work. Lying to the south of the most bazaar, it’s the best architecture altogether of Shekhawati. The mural paintings and wall paintings tell love stories of Dhola – Maru, a few from the folks tales who fled on their camel. One also can see paintings showing the evil Umrah-Sumra, S...

Churu

Known for its mesmerising shifting sand dunes, the tiny city of Churu is that the gateway to the Thar desert. Dotted with grand havelis that boast 50-100 rooms, adorned with intricate fresco paintings, interestingly, Churu has no royal history. These havelis were homes of rich and prosperous merchants, who inhabited the world . The paintings within the havelis are a mirrored image of the owner&rsq...

Nawalgarh

Nawalgarh is rightly mentioned because the outdoors Gallery. there’s art all around. Nawalgarh is renowned everywhere the planet for its exquisitely painted havelis that are beautifully designed and carved. The havelis are the mansions that boast of the beautifully carved wooden gates and therefore the painted walls. The ornate iron and brass fittings revealed the affluence of the owner of t...

Jhunjhunu

Jhunjhunu is one among the oldest towns within the state of Rajasthan. It lies at a distance of about 186 km from Jaipur. What draws tourists here are the massive vacant havelis with intricate frescos. These havelis, which are each a piece of art, has earned the region of Shekhawati, under which Jhunjhunu is found , is that the nomenclature of being the world’s largest open-air gallery ....