Shekhavati

Shekhavati is a semi desert region in north Rajasthan and it is situated 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. 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.

In the Shekhawati region, there are also forts, minor castles, mosques, wells called baolis and chattris to discover. The Rajputs 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.