Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma: Preserving Shekhawati Havelis is Our Collective Responsibility

Jaipur, Sept 2025 : Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said that the havelis of Shekhawati are the priceless and unique heritage of the state, and their preservation and promotion is a collective responsibility of all. He assured that the state government is fully committed to ensuring their protection and maintenance while carrying forward this rich legacy.

Sharma was addressing the Shekhawati Heritage Conservation Dialogue held at the Chief Minister’s Office on Monday. He highlighted that the government is taking concrete steps to generate employment and boost economic growth in the Shekhawati region through tourism. In this direction, the Shekhawati Haveli Conservation Scheme was announced in the state budget 2025–26, under which 662 historic havelis have been identified across Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Churu. These havelis will be developed into heritage walks, cultural centers, art galleries, homestays, and tourism hubs.

Shekhawati Emerging as a Leading Tourism Hub
The Chief Minister said the region embodies a unique blend of art, culture, and faith, making Shekhawati a top emerging tourist destination. In the first six months of this year, around 1.9 crore domestic tourists and over 33,000 foreign tourists visited Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu. He also noted that efforts are underway to implement the Yamuna Water Agreement to ensure prosperity for local farmers. Additionally, Khatushyamji and Salasar Balaji temples are being developed as religious tourism centers. Thirty heritage certificates have been issued to havelis, linking them with tourism and economic activity.

He further stated that 58 MoUs have been signed so far for tourism development in Shekhawati, which will attract investments and create jobs. A concrete action plan is being executed to implement these MoUs. Roadshows and conclaves are also being organized in cities like Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Surat to connect haveli owners and stakeholders.

Joint Committee for Heritage Conservation and Development
Sharma announced that a joint committee comprising various departments will be formed for heritage conservation and tourism development in towns like Ramgarh, Nawalgarh, Mandawa, Khetri, Laxmangarh, Fatehpur, and Mahansar. This committee will prepare long-term plans for infrastructure and tourism development. He also directed district collectors to ensure that no haveli is demolished in the future.

Local and Expert Involvement in Conservation
The CM called upon local people, experts, and experienced individuals to actively contribute to heritage conservation, just as the Rajasthan diaspora is playing a key role in water conservation under the Karmabhoomi se Matrabhumi campaign. The Heritage Dialogue initiative, he said, is an effort to combine cultural preservation, tourism promotion, and local development.

During the program, haveli owners, tour operators, and conservationists gave suggestions on heritage preservation, tourism potential, employment generation, and infrastructure development. The Tourism and Urban Governance Departments also shared details of ongoing development projects in Shekhawati.

Deputy CM Diya Kumari added that in line with budget announcements, the state government is swiftly advancing haveli conservation efforts. She said the tourism department has formed panels of conservation experts and is strictly enforcing bylaws to preserve the original character of these heritage sites.

The event was attended by Rajasthan Heritage Authority Chairman Onkar Singh Lakhawat, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, and senior officials from tourism, finance, urban governance, and local bodies, along with haveli owners, tour operators, experts, and conservationists from Shekhawati. District Collectors of Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu also joined via video conference.