The Shekhawati Festival held on 10th and 11th February every year
is organised jointly by the State Department of Tourism, District
administrations of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. Shekhawati, already
famous for its frescoes, is fast becoming a rural tourism destination
too. Travelling on horseback, the tourists get a closer view of
the countryside and the people. And they return with an indelible
imprint of not only the friendliness of the people but also of
the agricultural revolution sweeping the villages -- the region
now exports 80 per cent of its crops whereas only a few years
ago it could meet only 10 per cent of its requirement through
local production.
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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, haveli competitions and fireworks. Nawalgarh
is the central venue of the festival and can be reached comfortably
by train and road from Jaipur. Nawalgarh also has some of the
finest frescoes of Shekhawati. The Clock Tower is a famous landmark
and the Roop Niwas Palace hotel occupies a place of pride in the
town.
How to Reach
Nawalgarh is 145 Kms north of Jaipur
Where to Stay