Havelis in Shekhwati
- about Shekhwati
Havelis are the prime attraction of the Shekhwati region. Shekhwati's magnificent havelis or mansion are been built by rich merchants of this region. These havelis displays a unique architectural style, which evolved around the courtyard to ensure safety and privacy of the women folk, for their protection from the heat of long and harsh summers.
Shekhwati was once on a caravan route lured of many rich merchants to inhabit it. With the dwindling of the business in Shekhawati area, the merchants moved to the other prosperous part of the country, yet their hearts remained in the shekhwati. Hence, they constructed havelis in the various small towns of shekhwati.
The Havelis in Shekhwati are painted predominately in maroon, yellow, blue, indigo, green and have beautiful wall paintings, which adorn their walls. The earlier wall painting in the 1830 A.D-1900 A.D. were largely based on the mythological themes, depicting animals, portraits, local legends, hunting and wresting scenes and a glimpse of every day life.
The havelis of shekhwati are not only huge rather they are a beauty to adore. The havelis in shekhwati had carved wooden gateway as the main entrance that opened into the courtyard. These courtyards again lead to the other courtyard. Larger havelis are double storeyed and have up to four courtyards in shekhwati. The windows of these havelis in shekhwati are richly carved and glow with exquisite mirror work. Latticed window were the means to Rajasthan women to view the happenings of the outer world.
The highlights of the shekhwati havelis are the frescoes, which are seen almost everywhere on the gateways, courtyard wall, facades, ceiling and parapets. The frescoes in shekhwati have varying themes, which reflects the changing taste and lifestyle of the people from 1750 and 1930. The earlier themes were like local legends, hunting scenes and mythological.
In the modern times, themes include aeroplanes, ships, telephones, trains, and balloons. The frescoes in shekhwati seem to narrate an interesting tale in a colorful manner. The entire shekhwati region radiates with frescoes. Today, majority of havelis in shekhwati are a private property and not open for public viewing. Nevertheless, there are quite a lot other which are open for public visits as well.
Famous Havelis in Shekhwati Region :
- Khedwal Bhawan : This Haveli is in the Nawalgarh. It is always adorned for lovely mirror work above the entrance of the inner courtyard and blue tile work. The outside of wall depict the story of Dhola Maru.
- Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli :It is situated in Mandawa. The Haveli showcases exceptional mural work with themes including religious and erotic
- Murmuria Hall : Also, situated in Mandawa. This Haveli uses a unique theme in it paintings, which is blend of east and west Krishna with his cows in courtyard.
- Vishunath Keria Haveli : This Haveli is in Fatepur. It has some interesting as well as hilarious paintings-King George and Queen Victoria in an Indian backdrop and Krishna playing a gramophone for Radha's entertainment.
- Goenka Haveli : The Mahavir Prasad Goenka Haveli in Fatepur is having the best paintings of the region. Therefore, you must see. Unfortunately, it remains locked most of the time.
- Nand Lal Devra Haveli : It is also in Fatepur, this Haveli is worth visiting to appreciate the efforts of a French woman. She infused a new life into the decaying art form i.e. fresco painting in this Haveli or palace.
- Poddar Haveli : This Haveli is in Nawalgarh, displaying the wedding costumes of the different communities of Rajasthan.
- Aath Haveli : This Haveli has six havelis that is contradictory to its name. These groups of havelis reflect the thematic change in the fresco painting with one section depicting horses, elephants, and camels while another depicting a steam locomotive.
- Sona ki Dukan Haveli : It is situated in Mahansar, a little distance form the Raghunath temple. Sona Ki Dukan Haveli is the unique Haveli that has gold in it painting. It is quite unlikely the typical shekhwati painting.