Dundlod

Dundlod is a must-visit tourist destination if you are planning to travel to Rajasthan. Travel to Dundlod, a small village situated in the heart of the Shekhawati region peppered with a cluster of forts, havelis and baolis. Visiting this village is like visiting an open-air art gallery that has not changed much since the time it was built.

The Dundlod Fort is an embodiment of the cultural amalgamation 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. Travel to Dundlod Fort is almost like traveling 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.

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.

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.

Other attractions in Dundlod include the Jagathia Haveli and Satyanarayan Temple.