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» SHEKHAWATI LOCATION
It is a large area in north-eastern Rajasthan, spread over Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Churu districts, in its 20 odd towns and villages. Shekawati as a region is known for its exquisite frescoes that adorn the walls and ceilings of the buildings. There is no other region anywhere in the world that has such a large concentration of frescoes. |
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» DISTANCE FROM MAJOR CITIES TO SHEKHAWATI |
- Delhi - 275 km. (NH8 from Delhi to Dharuhera)
- Jaipur - 120 km.
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» POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN SHEKHAWATI |
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» SHEKHAWATI WEATHER
The climate of Shekhawati, like the other cities of Rajasthan, is of a typical desert type. Shekhawati weather experiences hot and dry summers. The climatic conditions of Shekhawati, Rajasthan in the winter season are cooler, but again dry.
- Temperature in summer: 41.2º C (Max) - 29º C (Min)
- Temperature in winter : 30º C (Max) - 10.05º C (Min)
- Rainy Season : Between the months of July and mid September is the monsoon season, when the atmosphere gets very humid.
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» SHEKHAWATI POPULATION
78,471 (persons) |
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» CLOTHING IN SHEKHAWATI
Light tropical (cotton) in summer and light woollen in winter |
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» LANGUAGE IN SHEKHAWATI
Hindi, Rajasthani and Marwari |
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» SHEKHAWATI DEMOGRAPHICS
- Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%.
- Literacy rate of 59%.
- Male literacy of 69% and female literacy of 49%.
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» SHEKHAWATI HISTORY
The Shekhawati region lies north of Jaipur. This was the land where Marwari businessmen started constructing their mansions or havelis in the 18th and 19th Centuries. The two major communities of this region were the Rajputs and the Marwaris - or one with the will to fight and die for his honour and the other a businessman. During the British period, trade rivalry pushed the Marwaris to port, but the love for their land was still very strong. While wars and treaties decided the fate of a few and the conditions of the peasantry remains the same.
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» FESTIVALS & FAIRS IN SHEKHAWATI
 [Craft In Shekhawati, Rajasthan]
The featured programmes are one-day tour of the region, farm visits, rural games, camel and jeep safaris, cultural programmes, competitions of the havelis (which emphasizes the need of preservation of the invaluable heritage), and splendid fireworks.
- The festival commences on the first day of Chaitra (hindu month), the day following Holi and continues for 18 days. On the eve of Gangaur festival women decorate their polms and fingers with henna. For a newly-wedded girl, it is binding to observe the full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. Even unmarried girls fast for the full period of 18 days and eat only one meal a day while married women seek a long life for their husbands, the ladies decorate their hands and feet drawing designs with Mehendi.
- It is also known as Sawan Festival. Rajasthan, young girls and women wear bright and colorful clothing. They suspend swings, adorned with colorful flowers and also sing traditional songs and celebrate its onset. They keep fast for a good husband.
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» PLACES TO BE VISITED IN SHEKHAWATI
- Raja Lakshman Singh of Sikar founded Lakshmangarh, modeled on the city of Jaipur in the 19th century. There are some interesting havelis located in this region like the Shyonarayan Kyal Haveli and the Rathi Family Haveli. Perched on a hill overlooking the town is a 19th century fort which can give you a magnificent view of the surrounding area. It is a must visit site if you travel to Shekhawati.
 [Haveli In Shekhawati, Rajasthan]
The Palace offers spacious painted rooms, Luxurious interiors, graceful hospitality and great thematic evenings with sumptuous cuisine. The registered painting in their Art Gallery is a treat to the o visuals.
- Shekhawati 's magnificent havelis, also known as the mansions were built by the rich merchants of the region to safeguard the privacy and dignity of there women folk. They were also meant to ward off the heat of hot summers. The architecture of these havelis, that developed around the courtyard, exude a classic beauty painted primarily in blue, maroon, yellow, green and indigo. The walls inside are adorned with beautiful wall paintings.
The popular design was usually a plain faceted with the accent on the internal courtyard. The main entrance, mainly through a carved wooden gate, leads into a courtyard, which in turn leads to another courtyard. As distinct from the Mughal havelis, the havelis of Shekhawati consist of two courtyards, one outer and the other inner. The larger ones, nevertheless, have up to four courtyards and are also two storeys high. The windows are exquisitely latticed and carved. Most of them feature mirror work and mural work while others are ornated with paintings.
- The semidesert region of Shekhawati is a colourful fantasy having fascination uniquely of is own. 'The open air-art-gallery', as it is popularly called, is famous for its plethora of painted havelis, all commendable pieces of the rich artistic tradition of this region. 'Shekhawati', meaning "the land of Shekha's clan" derives its name from Rao Shekha (1433 AD-1488 AD) a scion of the Kachhwaha family of Jaipur. Earlier a part of the former Jaipur state, it now comprises of the districts of Jhunjhunu and Sikar. Initially the region had a blank monochromatic look but with subsequent historical and social developments it has blossomed into a colourful profusion of art and life for almost 2 centuries from 1750 AD to 1930 AD.
- An ancient 10th century temples situated on the Harsh Nath hills.
- The capital of Shekhawati, Jhunjunu is also the biggest town of the district. Built in the mid 15th century by the Kamyakhani Nawabs, it remained under their control till the beginning of the 18th century. Ultimately it was taken over by the Rajput ruler Sardul Singh. Jhunjhunu has a number beautiful havelis and interesting monuments like the Khatri Mahal or the Wind Palace dating back to 1760 AD, the Sri Bihariji Temple, Kamruddin Shah ki Dargah and the Mertani Baori.
- Founded in the late 17th century, Sikar was the largest 'thikana ' (Feudal state) under Jaipur. The fort and temples ofGopinath, Raghunath and Madan Mohan with commendable frescoes are worth visiting. The Jubilee Hall, Madho Niwas Kothi, Biwani Haveli, Sodhani Haveli, the Jain Temple and a large market are other places of interest.
- 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.
- In the Churu district and 2hrs drive from Fatehpur, the great famous temple of SANKATMOCHAN HANUMAN is situated. Salasar Balaji is situated in the small town called Salasar. The holy temple requires no introduction to Hindus all over the world. It has a trail of devotees that cannot be numbered.
The history of this temple dates back to 1811 in a village called Asota, where a farmer while ploughing his field, got stuck by some rock under the earth and when cleared by his wife, emerged an idol of Lord Hanuman. The Thakur of that village dreamt being asked to shift the idol of Salasar for proper religious incarnation.
At the same time a devotee worshiper of Lord Hanuman called Mean Das also dreamt about the Lord and was asked to do the same. The idol was thus sent to Salasar with all care and devotion.
Transforming the village into the Salasar Dham, initially a hut, the place was later developed gradually into a concrete temple, which now has a large complex. All that the devotees desire is fulfilled by Lord BALAJI, lacs of followers from all over the world visit this holy place every year.
 [Haveli In Shekhawati, Rajasthan]
- Founded in the mid 15 th century by Fateh Khan- a Kayamkhani nawab, the town is noted for unmatched frescoes. its central locations attracted many wealthy merchants and has some exquisite havelis - the combination of the Indian and western styles. Chaamariya and Singhania havelis are main atraction.
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» SHOPPING IN SHEKHAWATI
Mewari miniatures and paintings, pottery, pichwai can be bought from the nearby local markets. |
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» OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
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» ACCOMMODATION IN SHEKHAWATI |
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