Dundlod

Situated 7 km to the north of Navalgarh, Dundlod is another important village of the Shekhawati region. Dundlod is not about hustle-bustle of tourists or rush in the market areas. Instead it is quite a sleepy town which blankets the heritage of the Shekhawati region within the murals and frescoes of its forts and havelis. It will surely be a delight to visit the medieval town of Dundlod.

The main highlights of Dundlod include the Dundlod fort which has a blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles, the havelis of Goenkas and the Satyanarayan Temple. The fort reverberates the glory of the Shekhawats who fought the Mughals with their full might.

Sights:
Dundlod Fort:
The Dundlod Fort is what will possible make your call to this small town a memorable one, besides the colorful paintings of the havelis, which are a signature element of the region. This heritage fort was added to the plain landscapes of the region some 200 years ago. It was built by Kesari Singh, the fifth son of Thakur Sardul Singh.

Though a relatively small fort, it houses several palaces that hold lavish Rajput and European furnishings, adding to the grandness of its interiors. The Diwan-i-Khaas preserves Louis XIV antiques and a priceless collection of old books. There is a column above the colonnade, which was built for the royal women to look at the proceedings from the jaalis. It is known as Duchhatta.

You can enjoy a stay inside the fort and leisurely go through the rare books, antiques, mythological paintings and motifs. You can also book your jeep safaris or enjoy a horse ride here.

Chhatri of Ram Dutt Goenka:
Ram Chandra Goenka, a rich merchant, had built the Chhatri of Ram Dutt Goenka in 1888. Lying close to the Dundlod fort, traveling on foot would be an apt option to reach the tomb. The interiors of the Chhatri are decorated with colorful floral motifs and beautiful friezes from Lord Krishna's life. There are also images of Lord Vishnu as well as some of the scenes from the famous Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Bhagirath Mal Goenka Haveli:
At Bhagirath Mal Goenka Haveli, worth appreciating are the fine mirrorwork decorated courtyards. Another Haveli just opposite to this one is better not missed, as you can have a glimpse of unfinished sketches made by the artist before he could fill the vibrant colors in them.

Satyanarayan Temple:
Near the entrance of the fort is located the temple of Lord Satyanarayan, a synonym for Lord Vishnu. It was built in 1911 by Hariram Goenka. There are a multitude of friezes that you can find on the walls of the temple, one of them showcases Europeans riding bicycles and cars while another one shows nobles at leisure.

Seth Arjun Das Goenka Haveli:
Close to the temple is the haveli of Arjun Das Goenka, decorated by brightly hued frescoes and paintings introducing us to the lives of the merchants. The scenes from the merchants' rooms include huge satin fans hung from the ceiling being moved with the help of a rope.

There are other havelis too, like the Jagathia Haveli and the Ram Chandra Goenka Haveli, that preserves the skills of Shekhawati artists who created magic with their paint brushes. Even today, one is amazed to see how the viewer is taken back to the days of the merchants and their lavish lives.

Sleeping & Eating:
Run by the descendants of Thakur Sardul Singh, the Dundlod Fort is the best place to have a lavish stay and to study the antiquity of the place.

Getting There & Away:
Local buses ply from Nawalgarh to Dundlod. It will just take you 15 minutes to reach the havelis of Dundlod. You can travel around Dundlod on foot, as it is a small town with narrow passages and closely aligned are its beautifully painted havelis.