New Delhi
- | Jaipur - | Agra- | Mandawa- | New Delhi- | Day = 08
These
cities do not compare themselves to the cities of the World in terms of
their richness in techno-economic terms. But the
richness in their distinct character and history overflows. The
peculiarity of their identities is strong enough to fill all senses -
strong characters, strong tastes, strong smells. . . . !
Day 01: New Delhi: Welcome
to India! On arrival you will be transferred and assisted till your room
in your hotel. Remaining day at leisure.
Day 02: New Delhi:
Early morning after taking breakfast go for sightseeing of
Delhi tour. In we have to see the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Rajghat,
Shanti Vana, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Safdarjung Tomb, India Gate,
Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House and evening in connaught place
market for shopping and Overnight in the hotel
more.
Day 03: Agra /
Fateh
Pur Sikri:
Morning checkout from hotel and transfer to Agra by
your exclusive vehicle. On arrival at Agra visit the incomparable Taj
Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri in a guided sightseeing tour.
Day 04: Jaipur:
Morning checkout and drive towards Pink
City and check in. Evening walk in the Pink City to shop in its colorful
bazaars.
Day 05: Jaipur: Day sightseeing of the City Palace
Complex and Amber Fort. Visit a farmhouse for local Rajasthani dinner.
Day 06: Mandawa:
SHEKHAWATI
The semi-desert Shekhawati region ties in the triangular area
between Delhi, Jaipur and Bikaner. Starting around the 14th
century, a number of Muslim clans moved into the area and the towns
which developed in the region became important trading posts on the
caravan routes emanating from the ports of Gujarat.
The merchants
prospered and in later years, encouraged by the British, established
themselves as traders across the country. Some of India’s richest
industrialists of the 20th century, such as the Birlas, were
originally Marwars (as the people from Shekhawati came to be known).
Although the towns have long since lost any importance they may once
have had, what they have not lost is the amazing painted havelis
(houses) built by the merchants for their families, who had stayed
behind in their home towns. Most of the buildings date from the 18th
century to early this century to early this century, and such is their
splendour that the area has been dubbed by some as the
‘open-air-gallery of Rajasthan’. There is also the obligatory (for
Rajasthan) forts, a couple of minor castles, distinctive wells,
step-wells, chhatris, and a handful of mosques.
The major towns of interest in the
region are Fatehpur, Mandawa, Ramgarh and Jhunjhunu, although virtually
every town has at least a few surviving havelis.
The tourist boom has still not caught up with Shekhawati,
but with so much to see, and some interesting places to stay, it’s an
area well worth exploring for a few days. The best plan is to just
wander at random through these small, dusty towns. There’s no chance
of getting lost, and there are surprises around every corner.Mandawa
The compact and busy little market town of Mandawa was settled in
the 18th century, and was fortified by the dominant merchant
families. Today it has some of the finest painted havelis in the region,
and is a perfect place for wandering at random.
The fort, dating back
to 1760, dominates the town and now houses a comfortable mid-range
hotel. Of the havelis, the Bansidhar Newatia Haveli (built around
1910) has some curious paintings on its outer eastern wall- a boy using
a telephone, and other 20th century inventions such as an
aeroplane and a car. The haveli is in the main street, almost opposite
the lane which leads to the fort. The Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli
(1870) is one of the finest in the region, and has some superb murals.
In the forecourt there’s a very low-key souvenir stall, selling, among
other things, the previously mentioned guidebook to the region. This
haveli is a few minutes’ walk from the main street, south and east of
the fort- just ask. Other buildings worth seeking out are the Harlalka
well, in the western part of town, and the Majisa ka Kuan well,
north of the central bazaar.
Reach the Shekhawati town Mandawa by
road. Walking tour of the town to see some of its frescoed "havelies"
(mansions).
Day
07: Mandawa:
Dundlod
Dundlod is a tiny town right in the heart of the Shekhawati region.
Although it has little of interest, the fort here dates back to
1750, though much of it is more recent. It is owned by a direct
descendent of the rawal who built the place. The Diwan-i-Khas audience
hall is still in very good condition.
Nawalgarh
The main building in this town is also the fort, founded in
1837 but today largely disfigured by modern accretions. It houses
government offices and a branch of the Bank of Baroda. One of the main
havelis is the Anand Lal Paddar Haveli, built in the 1920s. Today
it houses a school, but has many fine paintings; also worth a look is
the Kulwal Haveli.
Jhunjhunu
Jhunjhunu is one of the largest towns of Shekhawati and is the
current district headquarters. It has some of the region’s most
beautiful buildings and should not be missed. Jhunjhunu has a few
hotels, a bank and the only tourist office in the region-at the Shiv
Shekhawati Hotel. It is also on the bus and railway routes, so it has
good connections with other parts of the state.
The town was founded by the Kaimkhani nawabs in the middle
of the 15th century, and remained under their control until
it was taken by the Rajput ruler Sardul Singh in 1730.
It was in Jhunjhunu that the
British based their Shekhawati Brigade, a troop raised locally in the
1830s to try to half the activities of the dacoits (bandits), who were largely local petty rulers who had
decided it was easier to become wealthy by pinching other peoples’
money than by earning their own.
The main item of interest
here is the Khetri Mahal, a fine minor palace dating back to
around 1760. It has very elegant lines and is architecturally the most
sophisticated building in the region, although it’s not in the
greatest condition. The Sri Bihariji Temple is from a similar
period and contains some fine murals, although these too have suffered
over the years. The Modi Haveli and Tibrewala Haveli, both
in the main bazaar, are covered with murals, and the later is
particularly interesting. The town also has a number of chhatris and
wells.
Ramgarh
The town of Ramgarh was founded by the powerful Poddar merchant
family in 1791, after they had left the village of Churu following a
disagreement with the thakur. It had its heyday in the mid-19th
century and was one of the richest towns of the area. As a result, today
it has probably the greatest concentration of painted havelis anywhere
–it’s fascinating place to wander around.
The Poddar chhatris
near the bus stand, and the Poddar havelis near the Churu Gate
(northern) are all fine examples. Down the side street next to the well
near the northern gate is one of the antique shops which makes it’s
living from places ripped out of the buildings in the area.
Lachhmangarh
Dominating this town are the smooth walls of the fort, as simply
designed as the cooling towers of a power station. It’s now deserted
but there are superb views down to the town which was laid out, like
Jaipur, along a grid pattern. There are several interesting buildings,
the largest being the Char Chowk Haveli.
Excursion to Nawalgarh - the town having some of
the best frescoes. Traditional Rajasthani lunch in a village.
Day 08: New Delhi: Drive to New Delhi. Check in on
arrival. Till the time of check out, day kept free at leisure or for
last minute shopping. At appropriate time transfer to airport for the
flight back
home. Tour Ends.
