Shekhavati Havelis

Shekhawati, ' the garden of Shekha', derives its name from Rao Shekha, its former ruler. Known as the "Open art gallery of Rajasthan", this region is known for its amazing havelis, which are richly painted and decorated. There are numerous havelis in Shekhawati, some of them dating back to the 18th century. These havelis are not just admired for their large sizes, rather are a beauty to adore. The Shekhawati havelis were built by the wealthy merchants of the past and they served as a measure of the prosperity and success of these merchants. These havelis display a unique architectural style that evolved around the courtyards to ensure safety and privacy of the women folk and protection from the heat of the long and harsh summers.

Painted predominantly in the blue, maroon, yellow, green and indigo, they have beautiful wall paintings that adorn their walls. From painted murals to carvings to mirror work, these havelis have their walls and ceilings adorned with numerous forms of fine art. The lavish Havelis are a fine example of craftsmanship - some of them are even painted in pure gold. The frescos of the some havelis even depict mythological themes as well as images of huge animals as well as wrestling scenes and a glimpse of everyday life. Some havelis have frescos showing the arrival of the British and some others highlight steam locomotives and train.

Some of these havelis have now been converted into heritage hotels, though most of them are looked after by old family caretakers. The havelis popularly had a carved wooden gateway as the main entrance that opened into a courtyard. Larger havelis are double storeyed and have upto four courtyards. The windows of these havelis are richly carved and glow with exquisite mirror work. Few famous haveli's are Goenka Haveli, Aath Haveli, Nand Lal Devra Haveli etc.