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BIKANER HAVELIES
Connected to all major cities of India,
Bikaner is fast growing as a popular tourist destination. Located in the
northwest of Rajasthan, Bikaner has all for which this colorful state in
known, a massive fort built by the sixth ruler of Bikaner, a modern
palace, unique temple of rats, endless desert and hospitable residents
in a totally inhospitable natural surroundings. The old and charming
mansions, locally known as "havelis" set this city apart from other
cities of the country. Take a walk through the snakelike lanes of the
old Bikaner, you will be amazed by the marvelous architecture that this
old city boasts of. Such beautiful houses, in the words of famous
writer, Aldus Huxley, do not exist any where in the world and are the
pride of Bikaner. In fact these havelies are unique in style and have
distinct colour, distinct carvings on face and inner roof made of the
famous and delicate Dulmera red stone.
The Rampuria Havelis built by Rampuria traders are popular destination
of domestic and foreign tourists. The havelies that stand on either side
of Rampuria Street in the old city flaunt minute carving on their
exteriors. The artisans belonging to local Vishva Karma, silawat and
Usta comminitieie did such enchanting carving that visitors are
wonderstruck. Rampuria have thrown open the gates of one of their best
havelis for tourists. The Rampuria havelis preserve the charming "ala
gila" art of local choongar artists who were masters of this art. There
are still some choongar artists who practise this art. Umpteen styles of
painting such as Kishangarh, Mughal and Bikaner can be seen in Rampurias'
havelies.. Walk from Rampurias' havelies for a couple of minutes, turn
left and you reach a locality named Soniyon ka Chowk where Chunni Lal
Kothari's haveli stands. Projected jharokhas with minute carvings on its
exteriors, this haveli is known for its architectural splehdour. The
carving is a fascinating blend of Presian, Rajput and Deccan arts which
is seen only in Bikaner.
The havelis at Dhaddon ka Chowk locality are really magnificent. The
haveli built by famous Chandmal Dhadda of yore.. The haveli offers a
tantalising looks to a visitor. The arched entrance in the middle of the
exterior tempts one to enter the haveli and to have a look. Today most
of havelis are uninhabited and thus lie in a neglected state. One such
Haveli is the beautifully carved Rikhab Bagri Haveli. It is a poetry
written in stone & wood but stands aloof uncared. The rich and famous of
the past spent millions and years to build these havelis and it took
several years to complete. But their descendents chose to leave Bikaner.
The Bikaner havelis are suffering in silence. . It is painful to note
that the havelis that have immense potentiality to draw hordes of
tourists. These havelis need to be jointly cared and taken care by
government and people as well. |
