The havelis of Shekhawati are not just huge, rather they are a beauty to adore. The havelis, popularly had a carved wooden gateway as the main entrance that opened into a courtyard. This courtyard again lead to another courtyard. Larger havelis are double storeyed and have upto four courtyards. The windows of these havelis are richly carved and glow with exquisite mirror work. These latticed windows were the means by which the Rajasthani women viewed the happenings of the outer world.
The highlight of the havelis are the frescoes that are seen almost everywhere - on the facades, gateways, courtyard walls, parapets and ceilings. The frescoes have varying themes that reflect the changing taste and lifestyle of the people from 1750 (earlier fresco paintings) and 1930 (later fresco paintings). Earlier themes like mythological, local legends, hunting scenes gradually gave way to more modern themes like motor cars, aeroplanes, ships, telephones, gramaphones, trains and balloons.
The frescoes seem to narrate an interesting tale in a colourful manner. The entire Shekhawati region radiates with such frescoes and it is precisely this reason that it has been bestowed with the sobriquet of an open air art gallery.
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