The Shekhawati region of India encompasses the three modern districts of Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu in Rajasthan. Camel caravans laden with merchandise passed through Shekhawati as they traveled between the coast and Delhi. Rulers and merchants became wealthy and expressed their wealth by painting the interiors and exteriors of their Havelis (mansions) with scenes from Hindu mythology and everyday life.
Today many of the painted mansions are falling into disrepair because their owners have moved away and no longer maintain them. However, tourist potential has rekindled an interest in repairing and restoring these mansions and their murals. Inasmuch as our program did not focus on these structures, we were only able to see a few of them. However, we did have the opportunity to visit a haveli in Dundlod. We also made a stop in Mandawa to look at the exterior of a haveli there.
A chhatri, or dome, is a basic element of Hindu architecture borrowed from Islam. In shekhawati chhartri are built on the cremation sites of wealthy or distinguished individuals. Ranging anywhere from a simple structure of one dome raised by four pillars to a building containing many domes and a basement with several rooms, the Chhatri is found throughout Rajasthan. One of the large chhatris we visited in Dundlod contained a Shiva temple. In some instances, the interior of the chhatris are painted in the same manner as the havelis.

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Related Web Sites

• India Travelite Feature on history, important towns of Shekhawati region.
• India Mart Shekhawati: "The Open Air Art Gallery"
• rajtourism.com A brief description and definition of Shekhawati
• Places of Interest in Rajasthan Shekhawati