They are often called as biggest open art galleries in the world. A village where almost every wall is a piece of art with frescoes more than 200 years old. Nawalgarh is in Jhunjhunu district of Shekhawati region of Rajasthan in India, not far from state capital Jaipur. Centuries before this used to be the resting point for the traders travelling with goods from west to east. Ultimately it developed into huge hub and then a centre of traditional art and culture. This regions is full of huge artistic havelis (mini castles) not just in Nawalgarh but many adjoining towns such as Ramgarh, Mahansar, Mandawa, Dundlod, Chidawa, Mukundgarh, Surajgarh and Fatehpur, etc. Each haveli has a style of its own inspired by the owner. A place worth a visit if you love art.

A window to a beautiful world of art

Welcome to a gallery like never before

Gherka Temple complex at Nawalgarh

Every door has a art

Most of the paintings are hundreds of years old

The combination of art and the living styles

Every courtyard normally has a basil plant

View of the township and the canopies

Many of the houses have now converted into museums

Natural colours have been used in all paintings

Time seems to have stood still here

A normal house courtyard with a traditional cart

Adoring walls with traditional paintings was very common

Morarka Haveli: The old is guarded by the new!

see the finesse and the glow in the colors

Many new buildings have also been inspired to follow the design traditions

Below a canopy is the game (ludo) that elders used to play… still intact

Abandoned but still as beautiful as they were

One of the most popular havelis of Nawalgarh of the one- Anandilal Poddar

See the European impact on the paintings as the Britishers were the rulers at that time

Shekhawati paintings of Nawalgarh had various aspects

The businessmen of Shekhawati region had indeed opulent lifestyle

Time preserved in museums

Colors & culture – on the wall and besides it as well