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Shekhawati Festival
 Location :
Nawalgarh, Shekhawati in Rajasthan.
Features :
Cultural Wealth and Economical Growth Of Shekhawati
Timing
:
I0th and 11th February every year.
Shekhawati means "the Garden of Shekha" named after Rao
Shekhaji of Amarsar (1433-88). It is not a single village or town but a large area in north-eastern Rajasthan which lies between Bikaner, Jaipur and Delhi and comprises Sikar,
Jhunjhunu and Churu districts.
Shekhawati is known the world over for the exquisite frescoes that adorn the walls and the ceilings of the buildings here. It is often called an open air museum because nowhere else in the world is there such a large concentration of frescoes. These frescoes are an interesting depletion of the history of this region.
The earlier frescoes were financed by the Rajputs till 1820 and later the rich business community - the
Marwaris, patronised this art. Sikar was founded in the late 17th century, and was the largest 'thikana' (feudal state) under Jaipur. The fort and temples of
Gopinath, Raghunath and Madan Mohan with remarkable frescoes are worth visiting.
For a broad-based discovery of Shekhawati's culture, the festival is spread over a number of venues -
Nawalgarh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. The programmes include a one day tour of the region, camel and jeep safaris, farm visits, rural games, cultural
programmes, havelis competition and fireworks.
The driving power behind this festival, the M.R. Morarka - GDC
Rural Research Foundation, has pioneered integrated rural development since 1993 and has identified
Sightseeing as a thrust area for formation of employment chances.
The festival and other efforts of the foundation have persuaded the haveli owners of the need to preserve their priceless heritage of frescoes.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air : Jaipur is the adjacent airport, 142-km away.
Rail : There is a railway station at Nawalgarh and is well connected to the nearby areas by train.
Road : Jaipur is 142-kms from Nawalgarh by road.
Local Transport : Jeeps and auto rickshaws are available for within the city commutation.
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