Rajasthan - Shekhawati Hotels

Shekhawati is a semi-arid region located in the north eastern Rajasthan state of India. Shekhawati is also the administrative district of Jhunjhunu and Sikar. It is only limited to Jhunjhunu and Sikar according to administrative and geographical perspectives. Shekhawati is surrounded by Jangladesh region to the northwest, Haryana to the northwest, Mewat to the east, Dhundhar to the southeast, Ajmer to the south and Marwar areas to the southwest. Shekhawati is stretched over an area of 13784 km2. The natives of Shekhawati are regarded as brave, sacrificing and enthusiastic. It is the topmost region for providing maximum numbers of persons to the Indian army. Shekhawati is also called as Scotland of India as it is a land of brave, enthusiastic and diligent persons. Shekhawati name is borrowed from the Rajput Kachhwaha chieftain Rao Shekha Ji. Successors of Rao Shekha Ji, the ruling family is known as Shekhawat. As per the idea of Hakim Yusuf Jhunjunuvi, Shekhawati word is derived from Persian word “Sheekh”. “Sheekh” means ‘sand deposited on the coastal area of sea’. This idea gives a view that this region was deluged earlier with water and transformed to sand dunes over thousands of years. There is no idea about when the sea dries up and declined but it is sure that this desert was formed due to the drained up of the sea. This region was flooded with water earlier that is confirmed by the fossils found here. Gaurishankar Hirachand Ojha affirmed that this desert area was sea earlier but due to the natural reasons such as earthquakes and other climatic conditions the sea dries up and flow back to the south and left mass of sand behind which is later known as Marukantar. Shells, Conch etc are present here and confirm that it was sea long ago. Shekhawati is placed at a very important place in the Indian history. Its climatic conditions touch peak and levels. Temperature dips to sub zeo in the winter season and the mercury rise to more than 50oC in the summer season. The annual rainfall is recorded 450 to 600mm which is very low. The ground water is at the level of 200ft .In summer, hot air flows all over the region. Rainwater is stored in the tanks during the months of July and August to be used for drinking purposes all through the year. There are Bawdis and Johdas are present to store rain water in this region. Bawadi is designed in such a way that it gets contracted as we go down. This water is very cool and safe for drinking. It is estimated that every third year is a dry year here and every eighth year, Shekhawati is exposed to drought. In 1899, Shekhawati experienced the most severe famine till yet. During the drought, it is quite hard for animals to remain alive and the cattle population came down drastically. You can find beautiful peacock, parrots here. There are many majestic forts built in their Thikanas. Every Thikana is the site of the fort. Shekhawati is a home to more than 50 forts and Palaces by shekhawat Rajas. Almost each magnificent property is converted into hotels now. Castle Mandawa or Mandawa Fort is established by Thakur Nawal Singh Bahadur in 1755. Lets take you back to the glory of Castle Mandawa. There are many categories of rooms in the women’s quarters. One room has antique murals, another has a marble foundation. Turret room has walls of 7 feet thick. There is a formal drawing room, called Diwankhana, furnished with family portraits and an array of antique armour. Dundlod Fort is built in early 1750 AD. The diwan khana is furnished with portraits, hanging and ancient furniture. It also has a library and all of the portraits are in pure European style. There is a kothi, Roop Niwas Palace, built by Rawal Madan Singh. Rawal Madan Singh is the former ruler of Nawalgarh. Nawalgarh is quite beautiful city of Rajasthan. This palace is like a large country house. It is also known as “Rawal Sab ki Kothi” in Nawalgarh. It is situated on over 100 acres(0.40 km2). Its façade painted in beige gives glory to its decorum. Horse safaris are organized by the hotel here. There is also a stable at the back of the hotel. Mukundgarh Fort is built by Thakur Mukund Singh Ji in 1859. Its architecture is completely traditional and stretched over an area of 2 acres(8,100m2). Narain Niwas Castle was established by Thakur Nahar Singh in 1768. It is also called Mahansar Fort. There is an impressive entrance with brilliant horde of wall paintings. Alsisar Mahal is a battlefort and also called Alsisar Fort. It was the home of the Thakur of Alsisar. Dera Danta Kila also called Daula Fort, is built of two citadel bestride the hills. This fort was built in 1702 with the purpose to house army, stables and the royal abode to Thakur Amar Singh. Shekhawat Rajputs first introduced Frescos in their forts and palaces. Shekhawati is known to be “open art gallery of Rajasthan” as it has large cluster of frescos in the world. Generally the buildings built in this region from 18th century to the early 20th century. These frescos are of images of Gods, goddess, aniomals, life history of Lord Rama and Krishna. Shekhawati is developed due to the continuous and dedicated contribution of the Marwaris. Education is the major field of contribution in Shekhawati.

 

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