Our tryst with Havelis started when, inadvertently, we reached Mandawa on our way to Bikaner. Mandawa is a part of Shekhawati region of Rajasthan which is recognized as the Open-Air Art Gallery of The World due to the largest concentration of the frescos in this region.
Art on the wall!
The grand Havelis of this region are adorned with murals, intricate artwork, paintings inspired by a mix of Rajput-Mughal-British Architectures, however; truly representing enterprising and entrepreneurial spirit of trader community of the India and specially Rajasthan. The Shekhawati region has produced large number of traders and merchants who are dominant factor in the economy of India since ages controlling major part of Indian Business.
Fresco Haveli Art of Rajasthan
On our road trip to Bikaner and Jaiselmer from Delhi, exploring Havelis was not at all in our plan. During the course of this self-drive road trip when we enter Rajasthan it was, however, just not possible to miss these lavish mansions and that’s what I like about the self drive road tripping as it gives freedom to explore places at will. The en-route presence of these grand and colorful havelis intrigued us to the core and we stopped involuntarily to appreciate these architectural marvels. The Havelis from Shekhawati regions are famous for their frescos depicting theological and historical themes. The colorful frescos on the wall of Havelis and temples depict images of gods, goddesses, animals, and the life of the Hindu gods profusely painted by the commissioned artists.
Our first stop was the fort town of Mandawa in Jhunjhunu District of Rajsthan located on National Highway 11. Once upon time, Mandawa was a trading outpost for the ancient caravan routes that stopped here from China and the Middle East to Delhi Sultanate and towards Ports of Gujarat. Due to this vantage position, merchants from Shekhawati known as Marwaris prospered and they built many grand Havelis as a show of their opulence making entire town of Mandawa looks like a big mural symphony.
Colorful Artwork!
Mandawa Town
Mandawa Haveli Built in 1890, now converted into Hotel.
Main Havelis of Mandawa:
- Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli
- Goenka Double Haveli
- Murmuria Haveli
- Jhunjhunwala Havel
- Mohan Lal Saraf Havel
- Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli
- Aakharam ka Haveli
After leaving Mandawa and moving towards Bikaner, we reached Fatehpur which otherwise is a quaint town but home to some of the best kept Havelis of Shekhawati region. Fatehpur is also home to Nadine Le Prince Haveli Cultural Centre which was originally a haveli and converted & restored into Cultural Centre. This cultural centre is involved in restoring the Havelis and thus preserving unique heritage of Rajasthan.
Hanuman Prasad Navtia Haveli in Fatehpur
Grand entry gate of Bhartia Haveli in Fatehpur
One of the best kept Havelis!
A Live Mural Symphony!
Main Havelis of Fatehpur:
- The Jagannath Singhania Haveli
- Saraf Haveli
- Sitaram Kedia Haveli
- Hanuman Prasad Nevtia Haveli
- Jwala Prasad Bhartia Haveli
Delicately painted, intricately carved, Havelis of Shekhawati are now the key tourist attractions of Rajasthan and stand tall as priceless pillars of Indian Heritage Treasure. Even after having withstood centuries, they still look gorgeous evoking emotions mixed with pride and awe and a bit of thrill.
Other than Mandawa and Fatehpur, Shekhawati region has other small towns known for Havelis Frescos specially Nawalgarh, Ramgarh, Dundlod, Mukundgarh which we will definitely cover in next road tripping to Rajasthan.
By the time we reached Bikaner in the evening, Havelis of Shekhawati Region had captured a unique positioning in our minds and certainly for every traveler, exploring Havelis in Rajasthan qualifies as a must to do.
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Nice post..:)
Please do check mine and comment:
https://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=452573
Thanks for dropping by and liking. WIll surely check your post.
Cool! Love the havelis of Rajasthan!
Thanks Renuka! I am glad you like it.
This post reminds me of my 2 days road-trip to Churu. There are lot of such havelis in Churu & Ramgarh as well – http://www.travellingcamera.com/2013/12/tour-de-churu-streets-having-grand.html
going to read your post ASAP. Thanks fr visiting. C u more often!
wow. I didn’t know this about Mandwa…
Rajasthan is full of such surprises!!
Beautiful post and photos Himanshu. Seems like one could spend a month in Rajasthan and still only scratch the surface of what there is to see!
So true. Rajasthan is a treasure of history, heritage, adventure and free spirits of colors. Thanks for liking the post. 🙂
Lovely photos ! I would love to visit Fatehpur and Mandwa. Mandwa was a total revelation for me 🙂 Thanks !
Do check out my posts on Rajasthan too ! Totally love the state.
http://shrutidshah.blogspot.in/2013/10/the-golden-city-and-plethora-of-hidden.html
I love the photos on your post and would love to travel to these places. Mandwa was a total revelation for me.
Do check http://shrutidshah.blogspot.in/2013/10/the-golden-city-and-plethora-of-hidden.html – for my love of Rajasthan 🙂
I am glad that you like the post. C u around more often. WIll surely visit your post right nw 🙂
Beautiful murals and structures. That’s one of many reasons I am so fond of Rajasthan 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful murals and structures. That’s one of many reasons I am so fond of Rajasthan. Thank you for sharing such wonderful pics and information.
Thanks for your appreciation. Sheer motivation for me!
Nice post..:)
Please do check mine and comment:
https://selfdrivetrips.wordpress.com/2015/04/14/must-visit-islands-in-india-that-are-never-crowded-throughout-the-year/
Thanks for dropping by and liking teh post. Going thru your blog..seems we share a lot common when it comes to self drive…. Lests tay connected. 🙂
As always very enthralling. Love the artwork on the walls, and the architecture is absolutely amazing. 🙂
Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Thanks Carl. Your everyday motivation keeps me going. Thanks for your continuous appreciation. It really means alot to me.
Beautiful, beautiful pics! I haven’t been to this part of Rajasthan, so thanks for taking me on such a great virtual tour of the Mandawa and Fatehpur. 🙂
I simply cherish old haveli architecture.
They are indeed romantically charmful
The details and art on the wall is truly magnificent!
Yes this region is indeed amusing.
WOW! I would have gotten out of the car too. Love the elephants. A very travel inspiring post.
Thanks. Glad to know that i could inspire you.
The murals are stunning and such a reflection of the local culture. I also prefer a self-drive trip because there’s more freedom when you want to make an unscheduled stop.
Indeed, self drive is best mode of travel :). Good to have found you.
I would consider myself lucky to visit a big mural symphony. Overall, the elephant art is very impressive.
Thanks. This region of Rajasthan is rich in history and heritage.
This place really is a mural symphony, the colors, the stories…stunning
Thanks. Comments from you always inspire me.
Oh, I’d love to see those frescoes! Sounds like a fascinating area.
Its a hidden gem in the crowing glory of Rajasthan. A must visit. Thanks for dropping by.
Wow, these are amazing. I’m always in awe of how much intricate detail is included in murals like these. Havelis in Rajasthan is on the list! And self drive is definitely one of the best modes of travel – I’m so glad you had the chance to stop off here even if it wasn’t originally in our plans 🙂
Comments from senior like you always motiavtes me.
This place in Rajssthan is really unique. So put it in your list for upcoming trip to India. And really look froward to meet you in person when you are in Delhi. 🙂
Such beautiful photos! I love the architecture and intricate details. So unique!
Thanks. Glad that u like them.
I just love this architecture.
Plan and go there…this part of Rajasthan is mesmerizing.
very nice place also in jaipur mandawa haveli check website http://www.mandawahaveli.com