Haveli

View of a typical Haveli at Jaisalmer,Rajasthan

Haveli (हवेली) is the term used for a personal residence in North India and Pakistan. The word haveli is of Persian origin, meaning "an enclosed place".

The term Haveli is also used by the Vaishnava sect for their temples in Gujarat.

Between 1830 and 1930, Marwaris erected buildings in their homeland, Shekhawati and Marwar, as evidence of their success. These buildings were called Havelis. The Marwaris commissioned artists to paint those buildings. The Havelis are noted for their frescoes depicting mythological themes. The frescoes include Images of Gods, Goddesses, animals, scenes from the British colonization, and the life history of Lord Rama and Krishna, profusely painted on the Havelis in this region.

The havelis were the symbol of the status of the Marwaris and a home for their extended family, providing security and comfort, in seclusion from the outside world. The havelis used to be closed from all sides with one big strong main gate.

The typical havelis in Shekhawati consisted of two courtyards — an outer one for the men which serves as an extended threshold and the inner one, the domain of the women. The biggest ones sometimes had three or four courtyards and were two to three stories high. Most of the havelis are empty nowadays or are maintained by a watchman (typically an old man). These havelis are major attraction for tourists in Rajasthan.

The towns and villages of shekhawati are famous for the embllished frescoes on the walls of their grandiose havelis. Such is the magnificience and artistry of these Frescoes, that they attract tourists from all over the world. Some of the havelis charge entrance fees.

Some famous havelis

• Muraraka Haveli
• Hem Raj Kulwal Haveli
• Bhagton ki choti Haveli
• Chhauchharia Haveli
• Hira Lal Sarowgi Haveli
• Mantri Haveli in Churu