Page 379 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

R A JASTHAN  377

9 A Tour of Shekhawati

Situated along the old camel caravan trade
route, northwest of Jaipur, the Shekhawati
(“Garden of Shekha”) region resembles an
open-air museum. A network of excellent
roads through semi-arid scrubland connects
numerous towns and villages, known for
minor forts, baolis and the painted havelis
of India’s leading merchant families, still A wall in the Poddar School, Nawalgarh, depicting gods and
standing in all their evocative splendour. goddesses flying kites

4 Mandawa
This fort-palace is now a charming 5 Dundlod
hotel and a convenient base from Its fort-palace
which to visit neighbouring towns. and two splendid
Goenka havelis
are worth a visit.

3 Fatehpur
This picturesque mid-
15th century town is Jhunjhunu
best known for the
Singhania, Goenka Mukundgarh
and Jalan havelis. Bikaner

Key
Tour route
Road
River

2 Lachhmangarh 6 Nawalgarh
An old fort towers above this The Poddar and the Aath
19th-century town. The Char (“eight”) havelis are renowned
Chowk (“Four Courtyards”) for their frescoes.
Haveli, owned by the Ganeriwala
family, is said to be the grandest
in the region.
Nagpur
Tips for Drivers
Jaipur
Length: 111 km (69 miles).
Stopping-off points: Mandawa,
Dundlod, Mukundgarh, Fatehpur
and Nawalgarh have good hotels.
Getting around: Petrol pumps
are at regular intervals on the 0 kilometres 20
main road. A number of lesser 0 miles 10
roads lead off from NH11 towards
Jhunjhunu. All of them have
roadside eateries, which sell 1 Sikar
mineral water, hot and cold Sikar’s charm lies in its
drinks, and snacks. colourfully painted havelis,
bazaars and rural ambience.

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