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Travel to Dundlod... |
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| A cluster of forts, havelis, and baolis - these words best introduce Dundlod, a small village situated in the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Visiting this village is like visiting an open-air art gallery that has not changed much since the time it was built. Situated in the Shekawati region of Rajasthan Dundlod acts as an ideal base for camel and horse safaris into the Thar Desert. Plus the jeep safaris into the Aravallis and the neighboring villages are popular with the tourists. Dundlod is popular for the royal equestrian and polo center too. The village of Dundlod has numerous painted havelis, some of which date back to more than 200 years. The Goenka Haveli one of the most famous havelis in Shekhawati that you should not miss. | |||||||||
| History : | |||||||||
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Dundlod
is a tiny village lying about seven km north of
Nawalgarh in the heart of the Shekhawati region. Its small fort
was built in 1750 by Keshari Singh, the fifth and youngest son of a Rajput
ruler Sardul Singh. Major additions were made in the early 19th century by
his descendant Sheo Singh. Members of the wealthy Goenka merchant family
also settled at Dundlod and their prosperity is evident in their richly
painted havelis here. The beautiful chhatri of Ram Dutt Goenka and the
adjacent well were both built by Ram Chandra Goenka in 1888. |
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| Facts and Figures : | |||||||||
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| How to Reach : | |||||||||
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Air:
The nearest airport for chartered flights is Jhunjhunu around 30 km from
Dundlod. For regular flights one will have to reach Jaipur, around 160 km
away. Jaipur is connected through all the major domestic airlines with
other major cities of the country.
Rail: Mukundgarh is the nearest railway station and one can take trains for Bikaner and Jaipur from here. Road: The whole of the Shekhawati region is well connected with a good network of roads and both private and government buses have reasonable services in the region. Dundlod can be reached by road from Delhi 250 km away, Jaipur 160 km away, and Bikaner 230 km away. |
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| Best Season to Visit Dundlod : | |||||||||
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Best season to visit Dundlod is between October To
March. |
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| Sightseeing : | |||||||||
| ›› Dundlod Fort : | |||||||||
 The fort of Dundlod is an representation of the culture of the Rajputana
and Mughal Schools of Art and Architecture. Its motif of flowers and
foliage, minarets, mythological paintings, archaic furniture, wall
hangings of arrows, and shields have remained unchanged since ages.
Staying in Dundlod Fort is almost like living through the days of James
Tod who once described the splendors of Rajasthan. On every dawn the first
ray of the sun falls over the fort as an eternal blessing to this land of
mystique and charisma. |
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| ›› Diwan Khana : | |||||||||
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The Diwan Khana is built in the Mughal architectural style and is furnished with
Louis the XIV furniture. It has a magnificent library, with a very rich
collection of rare books on Indian history. One can see the family portraits of
the thakurs, which remind one of the times gone by. Above this lies the Duchatta
from where the ladies watched the court ceremonies in purdah. |
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| ›› Tuganram Goenka Haveli : | |||||||||
 The Tuganram Goenka Haveli is often locked but one can see fine mirror work
above the windows on the upper walls of the courtyard. Finely preserved
paintings under the eaves mostly comprise portraits in round frames. The haveli
opposite this one is interesting, as the work could not be completed and it is
possible to see how the artist sketched the drawings before adding color.
Pictures include those of an elephant, a camel and its rider, and a horse. |
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| Excursion : | |||||||||
| ›› Nawalgarh : | |||||||||
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Nawalgarh is situated around 7km south of Dundlod and famous for its fort,
built in 1737. Other attractions here include the havelis of Anandi Lal Poddar,
Aath Haveli, Anandi Lal Poddar, Bhagton Ki Haveli, and Khedwal Bhavan. |
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| ›› Parsurampura : | |||||||||
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Parsurampura is located some 27 km south east of Dundlod and has the distinction
of having the best-preserved and oldest paintings in the Shekhawati region. |
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| ›› Mukundgarh : | |||||||||
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Mukundgarh is around 6 km north west of Dundlod and is a tiny village famous
for its fort and havelis. |
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| ›› Mandawa : | |||||||||
 Mandawa is around 30 km north west of Dundlod and now a popular destination with
tourists. There are quite a good number of antique shops here. This village was
settled in the 18th century and fortified by the wealthy merchants of the
village. There are a few good havelis and heritage hotels in this village. |
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