Get touched by Rajasthan-II
9 April 2013 8:17 AM IST
Nestled amidst the semi arid region of Shekhawati lies the golden city of Rajasthan- Nawalgarh. Ruminate in the glory of the 18th Century town founded by Nawal Singh as you waft through its colorful bazaars and havelis. After Shekhawati, Nawalgarh is the next on the list in the open gallery of Rajasthan - a place that should not be missed if you love history and art.
Nawalgarh hosts an architecturally sublime fort at the outset.The fort founded in 1737 has largely been disfigured. Only one room in the south eastern section of the fort retains beautiful mirror work and paintings of scenes of old Jaipur and Nawalgarh. To reach there, you have to gain access through a sweet shop that charges to allow passage. A huge fruit and vegetable market and two banks use up the rest of the fort. Unfortunately.
If intricate frescoes and mural paintings keep you hooked, then you would have a lot to do in this town. Take in the beauty of these frescoes in the numerically christened havelis - aath havelis. To the west of the fort stand these monuments of art portraying the transition in painting styles when the pure traditional style of painting started emanating elements associated to modernity. One of the finest example of these paintings depicts a steam locomotive.
Head to Moraraka Havelis for the minature paintings of the legends of Lord Krishna. Though its usually locked, you may get lucky when the courtyard opens for functions. To the north comes the Hem Raj Kulwal Haveli. Built in 1931, it has portraits of Indian leaders like Gandhi and Nehru at its entrance; with windows bordered with colorful architraves. An ornate silver gate leads to the inner courtyard with paintings on religious themes.
Morarka Haveli threw open its doors to public only recently on payment of entry fee. The haveli displays some very well preserved paintings of incidents mentioned in the Ramayana. Other notable havelis are Bhagton ki choti Haveli, Parusrampuria Haveli, Dharni Dhakra Haveli, Chhauchharia Haveli, Hira Lal Sarowgi Haveli and Geevrajka Haveli. Dr Ramnath A Poddar Haveli Museum, actively maintains and adds new wall paintings.
Nawalgarh hosts an architecturally sublime fort at the outset.The fort founded in 1737 has largely been disfigured. Only one room in the south eastern section of the fort retains beautiful mirror work and paintings of scenes of old Jaipur and Nawalgarh. To reach there, you have to gain access through a sweet shop that charges to allow passage. A huge fruit and vegetable market and two banks use up the rest of the fort. Unfortunately.
If intricate frescoes and mural paintings keep you hooked, then you would have a lot to do in this town. Take in the beauty of these frescoes in the numerically christened havelis - aath havelis. To the west of the fort stand these monuments of art portraying the transition in painting styles when the pure traditional style of painting started emanating elements associated to modernity. One of the finest example of these paintings depicts a steam locomotive.
Head to Moraraka Havelis for the minature paintings of the legends of Lord Krishna. Though its usually locked, you may get lucky when the courtyard opens for functions. To the north comes the Hem Raj Kulwal Haveli. Built in 1931, it has portraits of Indian leaders like Gandhi and Nehru at its entrance; with windows bordered with colorful architraves. An ornate silver gate leads to the inner courtyard with paintings on religious themes.
Morarka Haveli threw open its doors to public only recently on payment of entry fee. The haveli displays some very well preserved paintings of incidents mentioned in the Ramayana. Other notable havelis are Bhagton ki choti Haveli, Parusrampuria Haveli, Dharni Dhakra Haveli, Chhauchharia Haveli, Hira Lal Sarowgi Haveli and Geevrajka Haveli. Dr Ramnath A Poddar Haveli Museum, actively maintains and adds new wall paintings.
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