Sunday, February 18, 2018

Havelis (Mansions) of Churu, Rajasthan, India

Hotel Majli Ka Kamra
Churu in North-eastern (Shekhawati  historical region) Rajasthan, is perhaps not one of the most popular destinations in Rajasthan, I wonder why....when you see these beautiful & mesmerizing havelis (Mansions) of Churu, you will most likely have Churu in your wish list.

Churu, houses some really grand Mansions (havelis). These havelis were built by the merchants of Churu during the 17th to early 20th century. Located around 200 km from Jaipur (4 hours by road), you will need 3-4 hours to see the havelis.

The names of all the havelis could not be found given the time constraint (spending more time talking to locals may have helped in getting the names perhaps..). All of these havelis are located around the mama-bhanja haveli, except Majli ka Kamra which is a hotel now.

The interesting thing in all these havelis is the murals. While there are typical Indian themes like elephants, soldiers, etc, the havelis in Churu have some very different themes as well, not found typically in India. You will notice murals of white men and women, cars, trains, ships, portraits of ancestors, of everyday life...

I will share some more havelis from the Shekhawati region in my next post. In the meantime, enjoy these awesome mansions :)

These pictures are courtesy Soma Jha.

Entrance to Majli Ka Kamra haveli (which is now a hotel)
Majli ka Kamra Haveli, Churu

Majli ka Kamra mansion, Churu
Paintings of cars

Mama-bhanja havelis-two havelis facing each other
Mama-bhanja Haveli in Churu, Rajasthan

Mama bhanja haveli, Churu
Painted murals

Haveli in Churu
Lovely windows

Indian and british figures on the wall panels
Painted mural


Another beautiful Haveli in Churu
Grand door

murals depicting white women on the deck of a ship
Painting of a ship, depicting their travel to England

Haveli of Surana family
Surana Haveli entrance

Painted murals of ancestors
Surana Haveli, Churu