Bikaner – Shekhawati Painted Towns Tour

Bikaner – Shekhawati Painted Towns Tour

Exploring Rajasthan’s Hidden Heritage Through Frescoes and Forts

✨ A Journey into Rajasthan’s Artistic Soul

I had always known Rajasthan through its grand cities — Jaipur’s pink opulence, Udaipur’s lakes, and Jaisalmer’s desert gold. But what if I told you that the real jewels lie off the beaten path?

My Bikaner – Shekhawati Painted Towns Tour was not just a trip — it was an exploration of forgotten frescoes, camel caravans, and palatial havelis whispering tales of the Silk Route. Organized with care and perfection by Sonakshi Travels, this journey opened my eyes to a different side of Rajasthan — quieter, richer, and deeply soulful.

If you’re someone who loves culture, history, art, and authenticity, then let me walk you through this vibrant and intimate route.

🗺️ Journey Snapshot & Route Distances

Route Distance Travel Time
Jaipur → Shekhawati (Mandawa/Nawalgarh) ~170 km 3.5–4 hours
Shekhawati → Bikaner ~190 km 4 hours
Bikaner → Jaipur ~330 km 6 hours

🖌️ Shekhawati – The Open-Air Art Gallery of Rajasthan

🎨 A First Glimpse into Painted Towns

As I entered Mandawa, the colors began to unfold — not through festivals, but through centuries-old frescoes painted on grand merchant havelis. Walls, ceilings, courtyards — every inch told stories of mythology, daily life, colonial trains, and even British soldiers painted in traditional Indian style!

🏛️ Must-Visit Painted Towns in Shekhawati

🏠 Mandawa

  • Mandawa Fort 🏰: Now a heritage hotel with grand frescoed interiors.

  • Jhunjhunwala & Gulab Rai Havelis 🎭: Masterpieces of intricate murals.

  • Bazaar Walks 🛍️: Handmade leather, textiles, and silver jewelry.

🎨 Nawalgarh

  • Aath Haveli Complex and Poddar Haveli Museum: Best-preserved frescoes.

  • Horse-drawn tonga ride through painted lanes — nostalgic and charming.

🏡 Fatehpur & Dundlod

  • Lesser-known, but with treasures like the Jagannath Temple frescoes, old Jain havelis, and castle stays.

📸 Travel Tip

Wake early to catch golden sunlight on the frescoed facades — a photographer’s paradise.

🍛 Flavours of Shekhawati – Simple Yet Soulful

Dining here felt like being part of a family — fresh bajra rotis, ker-sangri, ghee-laced dal, and missi roti served with buttermilk in a mud-plastered courtyard.

Don’t miss:

  • Gond ke laddoo 🍬

  • Churma served warm with melted ghee

  • Besan ki barfi from local sweet shops

🏨 Where to Stay in Shekhawati

Thanks to Sonakshi Travels, I stayed in a heritage haveli in Mandawa, complete with antique furniture, carved wooden beds, and open-air terraces that overlooked the town.

Accommodation options range from:

  • 💎 Luxury Havelis: Converted palatial residences

  • 🏡 Mid-range guesthouses with local family warmth

  • ⛺ Boutique eco-stays on the outskirts

🛡️ Bikaner – The Red City of Camels and Courage

🚗 Journey to Bikaner

The drive from Shekhawati to Bikaner was serene — dotted with sand dunes, desert shrubs, and nomadic shepherds. As the red sandstone city emerged, so did a distinct sense of strength and pride.

🏯 Top Attractions in Bikaner

🏰 Junagarh Fort

Not built on a hill like others — this fort sits proudly on flat terrain. Inside, I marveled at:

  • The Anup Mahal with gold leaf walls

  • Chandra Mahal with mirror work

  • War relics in the fort museum

🐫 National Research Centre on Camels

One of my favorite experiences!

  • Camel milking demo 🥛

  • Camel milk kulfi 🍦

  • Ride through camel farms 🚶‍♀️🐪

🌺 Lalgarh Palace

Now a museum and hotel, it offers royal views, rare photographs, and colonial Indo-Saracenic architecture.

🛕 Karni Mata Temple (Deshnok)

The famous rat temple, 30 km from Bikaner, where rats are revered and roam freely. Unique, intriguing, and utterly unforgettable.

🎭 Culture & Craft in Bikaner

🪕 Local Music & Dance

Evenings at the fort courtyard featured:

  • Kalbeliya performances

  • Bhavai balancing acts

  • Sufi folk music under the stars

🧵 Handicrafts to Look Out For

  • Usta Art (gold embossing on leather)

  • Camel hide footwear & bags

  • Ivory and lacquer bangles

  • Rajasthani miniatures and tie-dye fabrics

🍲 Bikaner Food – Fiery, Flaky & Fantastic

My culinary adventure in Bikaner was nothing short of royal indulgence:

  • Bikaneri Bhujia 🌶️: Famous across India — crisp, spicy, perfect with chai.

  • Raj Kachori: A riot of flavors in one shell.

  • Gatte ki Sabzi and Mangodi Curry 🍛

  • Gulab Jamun ki Sabzi (yes, savory!) – a unique Bikaneri invention.

I enjoyed a traditional Rajasthani Thali at a haveli rooftop, with puppet shows in the background and the aroma of wood-fired rotis filling the air.

🏨 Where to Stay in Bikaner

Sonakshi Travels arranged a stay at a heritage palace hotel with marble courtyards, Mughal gardens, and Rajput hospitality.

Other great options:

  • 🏰 Laxmi Niwas Palace – regal and luxurious

  • 🏡 Mid-budget Havelis – great for cultural feel

  • 🛖 Desert camps outside Bikaner – camel safaris and folk music nights

🧳 Travel Tips for the Bikaner – Shekhawati Painted Towns Tour

🧭 How to Reach

  • Start from Jaipur
    – By Air: Jaipur International Airport
    – By Train: Regular trains to Bikaner and Jhunjhunu
    – By Road: Excellent connectivity through NH 52 & 11

👜 What to Carry

  • Light cotton wear (layers for winter nights)

  • Sunglasses, sunscreen, water bottle

  • Moisturizer for dry air

  • Camera and notebook for sketches or journal

💡 Safety & Respect Tips

  • Always remove footwear before entering temples

  • Avoid touching frescoes — they’re fragile heritage pieces

  • Bargain politely in bazaars

  • Travel with a local guide for rich context

🎊 Major Events & Best Time to Visit

Event Location Time
Bikaner Camel Festival 🐪 Bikaner January
Shekhawati Heritage Week 🖌️ Nawalgarh February
Gangaur Festival 💃 Across Rajasthan March–April
Karni Mata Fair 🐀 Deshnok March & October

🗓️ Best Months to Travel:
October to March – Pleasant weather, cultural festivals, and best fort photography light!

💖 Emotional Takeaway: A Journey Etched in Color and Culture

This wasn’t just sightseeing. This was time travel.

Every fresco in Shekhawati whispered to me. Every camel’s silhouette against the Bikaner sunset reminded me that travel isn’t always about ticking off popular places — sometimes, it’s about discovering stories etched on forgotten walls and hearts opened by simple, gracious hosts.

From the quiet lanes of Nawalgarh to the regal forts of Bikaner, the tour was a tapestry of history, hospitality, and humbling beauty. And with Sonakshi Travels, everything flowed like poetry — from heritage stays to local guides who felt more like storytellers.

📞 Book Your Artistic Rajasthan Escape with Sonakshi Travels

Rediscover Rajasthan beyond clichés. Explore hidden havelis, ancient fortresses, and live paintings that have stood for centuries.

✅ Tailored Itineraries
✅ Heritage Haveli Stays & Boutique Palaces
✅ Camel Safaris & Cultural Shows
✅ Private Guides with Local Expertise

👉 Contact Sonakshi Travels Today
📱 WhatsApp: +91 7980469744
🌐 Website: www.sonakshitravels.in

“Let frescoes guide your steps and camels lead your way — explore the untold side of Rajasthan with Sonakshi Travels.”

🎨🏰🐪📸🧡