The Hindu Business Line : Shekhawati splendour

Just 250 km away from Delhi — a bumpy five-and-a-half hour drive — and life changes dramatically. From the plains to the mountainous terrain, from the hustle-bustle of the busy city to the peaceful lifestyle of the countryside, from western outfits to the colourful lehengas and dupattas.

The Shekhawati region in Rajasthan has a charm of its own. As you drive from Delhi to Rajasthan, the Aravali mountain range makes for a very scenic and picturesque view. Shekhawati, known for its culture, colourful frescos, and magnificent havelis, has a lot more to offer. Known as the `open-air art gallery' of Rajasthan, it is spread over the Nawalgarh, Jhunjhunun, Sikar and Chum districts.

Nawalgarh is like any other small town. Even as one passes through its lanes and by-lanes, browsing the local market, and stopping over to look at the craftsmanship of its traditional bangle-makers and goldsmiths, one can hardly imagine that the town is a treasure house of the amazing frescos. Exquisite wall paintings, executed with utmost care and perfection can be found embellishing the walls of havelis, temples and forts in this region.

Recreated in the frescos are legends from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and murals depicting Krishna, Shiva and Parvati are carved along with those of Christ. On the outside the havelis have magnificent portrayals of elephant and horse processions, warriors and handsome Rajput guards. The entrances have elaborately designed and painted doors and windows.

The annual Shekhawati festival is held in February. Traditional havelis, that remain closed for a larger part of the year, are thrown open to visitors during this festival. The region reverberates with music, dances, and sporting events, while the aroma of Marwari cuisine fills the air, bringing alive the region's colourful tradition. The festival is a memorable experience for tourists who can also enjoy camel and jeep safaris, go on farm visits and witness rural sports, cultural programmes and fireworks.

Organic farming is getting popular here and organic products were a big hit at the fair. Much of the transformation in the region is due to the work of the M.R. Morarka-GDC Rural Research Foundation, that works in areas such as micro-credit, healthcare, education, biotechnology, waste management and heritage conservation.

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