Shekhawati Region: the largest open-air art gallery in India
- Flo Travels
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
About a six-hour drive west of New Delhi and a hundred kilometers north of Jaipur, you will find one of the least explored regions of Rajasthan: Shekhawati. Yet, its delightfully old-fashioned charm works.
It is a full-fledged art gallery where the havelis offer visitors unique architecture and an unparalleled profusion of murals. It should be prominently featured on any Rajasthan tour, between Delhi and Bikaner in north India.
The Shekhawati region, cradle of the Marwari merchants
The Shekhawati region was once the residence of the Marwaris, one of the richest communities in India. Located on a heavily trafficked trade route between China and the Middle East, the region became a major attraction for many merchants in the 19th century.
Their increasing wealth and prosperity led the Marwari to begin the construction of opulent havelis, in a spirit of competition where everyone vied with imagination to have a unique and most decorated residence. Thus, over the decades, the region acquired ever larger and more beautiful residences, further contributing to its reputation and uniqueness.
Vibrant murals in India Shekhawati for an exceptional art gallery
Sikar, Mandawa, Jhunjhunu, Nawalgarh, Dundlod, Mukundgarh, Fatehpur, and Ramgarh: so many villages scattered throughout the region, each hiding a rich heritage. The havelis and their murals are a must-see there. They tell stories from Hindu mythology or the British era, with characters as diverse as the color palette used to depict them.
The interiors as well as the exteriors are enchanting. The giant wooden doors are magnificent and intricate. The reception halls, like those of everyday life, decorated with ever-renewed patterns, bathe in a soft and refreshing light. The colonnades of the inner courtyards and the cantilevered windows and balconies are all lavishly decorated. A true open book of miniatures depicting life of yore.
Created using natural pigments applied directly onto a fresh and damp lime plaster, these works are fascinating. They required the artists to have an in-depth knowledge of arts and techniques. Gold, copper, blue, brown, red, and yellow blend freely to depict mythological scenes from the Mahabharata or the Ramayana and, more modernly, those of royalty in Rajasthan. Famous or unknown characters, objects depicting the evolution of transportation methods, or even daily life over time cover the walls of hundreds of homes.
The Shekhawati region : a must-see on a tour in Rajasthan
Over the centuries, the Marwari community has spread throughout India and even abroad, driven by trade exchanges and the emergence of new business centers. But the magnificent buildings with their colorful walls that they left us still testify today to their opulence and exquisite tastes.
Finding places like this Shekhawati art gallery in other parts of India is very rare. That's why it's really worth planning to discover one or more of these villages when visiting Rajasthan. To maintain them, many of these havelis have been restored and converted into museums or boutique hotels, thus promoting Shekhawati as a tourist destination in India. Deciding to make a stop in the region is therefore a contribution to the preservation of local heritage.
Some places are renowned because their heritage has been maintained. Others seem frozen in time, awaiting an improbable restoration. But all have a unique charm that adds to the region's appeal. A must-see!
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