Nawalgarh, Rajasthan, India

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Unique Gallery of Havelis with Painted Pictures
 
Nawalgarh is located in the the Shekhawati region which developed as result of the old camel caravan trade route across the Thar Desert. Surrounded by desert and scrub, Nawalgarh is centrally located and being a lively market town it makes an excellent base for exploring the region. Shekhawati means “garden of Shekka” after the 15th century ruler Rao Shekka. Nawalgarh is rightly referred to as an “Open Air Gallery “because of the frescoes that decorate the exterior walls of the havelis. Most havelis were built in the late 18th and 19th centuries by merchants who migrated to the port cities such as Mumbai and Kolkata. By trade they gained wealth but also they experienced a different lifestyle which is sometimes reflected in the frescoes by such depictions as British ladies and gentlemen with top hats, trains, motor cars, and aeroplanes. Nawalgarh is renowned all over the world for its exquisitely painted havelis that are beautifully designed and carved. The havelis have carved wooden gates and painted walls that are fascinating in their subject matter. The centre of Nawalgarh has plenty of small old-fashioned type shops and a colorful bazaar. The havelis on the western side of town are probably the most interesting even though they are located in a busier part of town. A Highlight as you head west through the Nansa Gate is the Aath Haveli (meaning havelis built by eight brothers.) This is a complex of beautifully decorated mansion, featuring murals in a range of styles. While at Nawalgarh you must visit the British Clock Tower at the College as this is a major landmark. There are two famous forts of Nawalgarh. The dome of the Nawalgarh fort has an aerial view of Jaipur painted on it. The Ganga Mai temple is also a major attraction in Nawalgarh.
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