Nawalgarh

Nawalgarh is one of the most important towns of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. It was founded by Nawal Singh, son of Rajput king Sardul Singh, in 1737. The whole town seems to be painted with colorful frescoes and murals, be it the palaces, havelis or bazaars. The town is small and is situated in a low lying area where several rivers die out. The silt carried by them was used to prepare some of the finest bricks which was used in building the havelis.

Nawalgarh's main highlight is its frescoed havelis, some of which are single storied while others stretch to five stories to. Anandilal Poddar Haveli, Hodh Raj Patodia Haveli, Murarka Haveli, Hemraj Kulwal Haveli and Aath Haveli are some of the must visit attractions of the town. The whole place centres around a fort known as Bala Quila, which is too one of the most visited tourist attraction. Due to its importance on the trade route, many rich traders settles in this area and contributed some very exquisite structures to the town, like the Goenka family.

Orientation :
Nawalgarh is situated in the northern part of Rajasthan, known as the Shekhawati Region. With narrow passages aligned with havelis, you can easily explore most of the places of Nawalgarh on foot. A camel ride or jeep ride would also suit you if you want to have a unique experience.

The main bus station is located about 25 km to the north of Sikar, near the Apani Dhani Hotel. The Nawalgarh Train Station is situated at a close distance to the bus stand. In the outskirts of the town is the Roop Nivas Palace. To the west of the Bala Qila Fort lies series of havelis known as Aath Havelis.

Information:
For all tourist information about Nawalgarh you can contact Ramesh Jangid at Apani Dhani or at Ramesh Jangid's Tourist Pension. To get your currency and traveler cheques exchanged, you can head to the State Bank of Jaipur and Bikaner at Bala Qila Complex. Internet cafes are available in the town. Most of the hotels and guest houses are located in the North and West of Nawalgarh.

Sights:
Bala Qila:
In the heart of the town lies the imposing fort of Bala Quila, also known as the Nawalgarh Fort. It was built in 1737 but the later years saw some modern contributions that disfigured the fort. The southeastern part of the fort preserves some of the finest frescoes of the Shekhawati region painting thw town in maroon, yellow, green, red and blue. The fort houses today a bustling fruit and vegetable market and banks, within its towering structure.

Havelis:
The main attraction of Nawalgarh is its queue of havelis, large and small, that decorate the whole town like an ethnic art gallery. A cluster of havelis lying next the to Bala Qila are called the Aath Havelis (eight havelis) dating back to 1900 AD. These havelis represent the transition in the painting styles

Ganga Mai Temple:
Ganga Mai Temple is situated near the Nansa Gate. The temple is devoted to Goddess Ganga, the personified holy river Ganga. Is interiors showcase amazing mirrorwork and colorful paintings on its courtyards and archways. These temples were built by the wealthy merchants known as Chhauchharia, in 1868.

Activities and Courses:
Curious travelers can go on short treks in the nearby villages, or go for viewing the countryside to observe the traditional lifestyles. You can also learn several courses like bandhni style of cloth dying, playing musical instruments, craft-making or simply join the hindi language learning course.

Sleeping & Eating:
An excellent ecofarm, Apani Dhani, is known for providing a relaxing stay and best of facilities. Its located on the western side of Jaipur Road. Other good accommodation options available here include DS Bungalow which provides a comfy setting and tasty food., Shekhawati Guest House located near the DS Bungalow and Roop Niwas Palace which is located to the north of the fort.

Getting There & Away:
Air: If you are traveling by air, you have to land in Jaipur, which is the nearest airport to Nawalgarh. Flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur and other prominent cities are available from here.

Rail: From the Jaipur airport, you can come to the city's train station and catch Shekhawati Express which reaches Nawalgarh in a matter of four hours. From Delhi too you can catch the Shekhawat i Express to reach the Nawalgarh rail head.

Road: Extensive road networks and a system of highways connects Nawalgarh to Jaipur, Bikaner, Delhi, Agra, Jaisalmer and other important destinations. Most of the private buses to these destinations and the Shekhavati region leave from the main bus station of the town.

Getting Around:
Nawalgarh is a small town of Rajasthan, so it is easy to explore the passages and alluring havelis on foot. You can also hire bicycles that will cost you about Rs 25 for a for a day. You can also hire a jeep or opt for a camel ride. From the train or bus stations, auto rickshaws and horse driven tongas are easily available which have minimal charges.