JAIPUR: Rajasthan’s famed Shekhawati havelis have been included in UNESCO’s tentative list, paving the way for efforts to secure international recognition for the region’s distinctive architectural and artistic heritage, the state government said on Saturday.
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said the historic havelis in Alsisar, Bisau, Chirawa, Churu, Dunglod, Fatehpur, Jhunjhunu, Khetri, Laxmangarh, Mandawa, Mahansar, Nawalgarh, Ramgarh and Sikar have been added to the tentative list.
She said the development would provide an opportunity to pursue the inclusion of these heritage sites in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Shekhawati region is renowned for its elaborately decorated havelis, distinctive architecture and vibrant frescoes. Their walls feature intricate and colourful paintings depicting aspects of Rajasthan’s artistic traditions as well as the social and cultural life of the period in which they were created.
Kumari said the state government was taking steps to preserve Rajasthan’s historic heritage and promote it on the global stage. She linked the initiative to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
The government said the UNESCO tentative-list inclusion is expected to give a further boost to tourism in Shekhawati and encourage greater efforts towards the conservation of the region’s art, architecture and heritage.
The inclusion marks an important step towards highlighting Shekhawati’s unique cultural legacy internationally and creating greater awareness about its historic havelis.