Shekhawati

Shekhawati, a region rather than a single town, is famous as an open-air gallery of elaborately painted havelis, merchant mansions whose exterior and interior walls are covered in vivid frescoes depicting mythological scenes, historical events and, more surprisingly, early depictions of European technology like trains and aeroplanes as imagined by artists who had never seen them. Towns including Mandawa, Nawalgarh and Fatehpur each hold significant concentrations of these painted mansions.

Many havelis have fallen into disrepair as their original merchant families relocated to major cities generations ago, giving Shekhawati's towns a slightly melancholic, faded grandeur alongside their remarkable artistic legacy, and the region's relative lack of mainstream tourist development has kept prices and crowds considerably lower than Rajasthan's more famous heritage destinations.

Shekhawati takes its name from Rao Shekha, a 15th-century Rajput ruler of the Kachhwaha dynasty who established his own principality in the region. Over time, various Rajput families established towns, forts and settlements across Shekhawati.

From the 18th and especially the 19th century, Shekhawati prospered as wealthy Marwari merchant families became involved in long-distance trade. These merchants built elaborate havelis decorated with intricate frescoes, often competing with one another in architectural grandeur. The decline of traditional caravan trade and the migration of merchant families to larger commercial centres eventually reduced the region's economic importance, but its remarkable heritage architecture remains.

By Air: The nearest major airports are Jaipur International Airport and Bikaner Airport, depending on which part of Shekhawati you plan to visit. Jaipur generally offers better flight connectivity.

By Train: Shekhawati has railway stations in towns such as Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Churu and Nawalgarh, with connections to Jaipur and other parts of Rajasthan.

By Road: Shekhawati is well connected by road with Jaipur, Delhi, Bikaner and other Rajasthan cities. Buses, taxis and private vehicles are convenient for exploring the different heritage towns and villages across the region.