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Shekhwati
Festival
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 horse back, 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.
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 (140 kms by Road). 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. |
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