Why Visit Shekhawati: India's Open-Air Gallery

India    20.08.2025    Updated: TransIndus

Stretching across the semi-arid plains of north-eastern Rajasthan, Shekhawati is often called India’s open-air art gallery. Its towns and villages are filled with havelis — merchant mansions whose painted walls depict everything from Hindu mythology to the arrival of trains and motorcars. For those seeking something beyond Rajasthan’s well-trodden circuit, Shekhawati offers an evocative glimpse into a bygone age of wealth and artistry.

History & Trade

The region takes its name from Rao Shekha, a 15th-century Rajput ruler. Its golden age came between the 17th and 19th centuries, when Shekhawati flourished as a caravan hub linking Delhi with Sindh, Gujarat, and Arabian Sea ports. The Marwari merchant families grew immensely wealthy, later extending their influence to Calcutta and Bombay. Their prosperity survives in Shekhawati’s frescoed havelis, cenotaphs, and forts.

Painted Havelis

Shekhawati boasts more than 2,000 painted mansions — the largest concentration in India. Their walls are alive with mythological tales, portraits of patrons, and depictions of modern inventions. Many stand semi-abandoned, lending the towns a dreamlike air, while others, such as the Podar Haveli Museum in Nawalgarh, have been meticulously restored.

Towns to Explore

• Mandawa: Known for Mandawa Fort and richly decorated havelis.
• Jhunjhunu: Home to Khetri Mahal, Rani Sati Temple, and ornate havelis.
• Nawalgarh: Famous for restored mansions like Podar and Morarka Havelis.
• Dundlod: A small fort town where visitors can stay in an 18th-century palace and meet the famed Marwari horses.
• Mahansar: Renowned for golden frescoes and its heritage liquor.
• Sikar: A lively town with temples and the hilltop Harshnath Temple.

Forts, Palaces & Legacy

Shekhawati’s forts recall a feudal past where Rajput rulers and wealthy merchants shaped the landscape. Many, including Dundlod Fort and Vivaana Haveli, are now heritage hotels, offering travellers the chance to dine in frescoed courtyards and sleep beneath hand-painted ceilings. Though never part of The Silk Road, Shekhawati thrived on India’s caravan trade, and its Marwari merchants went on to become some of India’s most influential business dynasties.

When to Visit

The best season is October to March. In February, the Shekhawati Festival brings folk performances, craft fairs, heritage walks, and hot-air balloon rides across towns like Nawalgarh and Dundlod. Summers are extremely hot, and monsoon months can be unpredictable.

Why Visit

For those venturing off Rajasthan’s beaten track, Shekhawati offers art, history, and atmosphere in abundance. Wandering its frescoed havelis, staying in evocative forts, or joining the Shekhawati Festival provides a cultural journey as memorable as any in India.