Haveli in Shekhawati
could-see attraction
Opening hours: 7:00am-5:00pm
Address: Mahansar, Shekhawati, Rajasthan
Ticket price: ₹100
Visit duration: People typically spend up to 1 hour here
Mahansar, a small semi-arid rural settlement located in Shekhawati of Rajasthan, is known for its rich cultural heritage that can be pinpointed to a specific haveli, the Sone Chandi ki Dukan Haveli.
Mahansar was founded by the Shekhawati rulers in 1768. The village and the Sone Chandi ki Dukan Haveli are more than 150 years old.
The name of the haveli, Sone Chandi ki Dukan, literally translates to 'gold and silver shop' because the paintings on the walls are emphasised by incorporating gold and silver fragments and crushed gems along with other colours. The haveli was utilised by the regals to spend their leisure time indulging in games, drinks and dance shows.
The Sone Chandi ki Haveli is narrow and lengthy with three vaulted ceilings and the gold-silver shop is settled at the ground level. The interior of the complex is immersed in liquid gold and red along with other natural colours.
The architecture of the haveli incorporates decorated carved wooden lintels, flouncy peacocks, and parrots with ruby red beaks giving glimpses of wooden storage chests. The ceilings and the walls are filled with illustrations whereas the ceilings are more intricately painted than the walls.
The palace is wrapped with stunning artisanship of frescoes, Ragamala paintings, murals, arabesque and mandala designs. The detailed paintings contain tiny gold leaves. The theme of the paintings of the haveli is Hindu mythology which is prevailed by the glory of Lord Vishnu and his different avatar form.
The three vaulted ceilings of the haveli illustrate different scenes from Hindu mythology with a notable focus on lord Vishnu. The right ceiling showcases various moments from the life of Krishna, the ceiling in the centre portrays the incarnations of lord Vishnu and the canopy on the left depicts moments from Ramayana.
The narratives flow from lord Rama’s exile in the forest, kidnapping of Sita, killing of Jatayu, meeting with Hanuman and Sugriva, killing of Vali and crossing over to Lanka where the water body operates as an interval in the narrative from the Ramayana to the life of Krishna.
The paintings of the Ramayana on the ceiling are particularly spirited, with profuse gold embellishments. The lower walls are garnished with flower-patterned and bird motifs, a fiction of butterflies, fruit-laden trees and flowers. The illustrations of the haveli reflect the miniature technique of artwork of the Mughal court.
The Sone Chandi ki Haveli opens from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. You have to buy a ticket for ₹100 to visit the haveli.
Mahansar is located 30 minutes drive north of Mandawa.
See location on Google Maps
You can complete the tour of the entire haveli in one hour.
Yes, you can click pictures of the haveli. The artwork on the walls and the intricately designed doors and windows offer a great backdrop to click great photographs.
Yes, it is a good place as the kids will be amazed to see the colourful paintings of the haveli.
Yes, there are restaurants offering local as well as other cuisines around the Sone Chandi ki Haveli. There are market places to shop for handicrafts, paintings and many more to take home as a souvenir.