CM Bhajanlal Sharma said that the havelis of Shekhawati are a priceless and unique heritage of Rajasthan, whose preservation and promotion is a shared responsibility.
CM Bhajanlal Sharma assured that the state government is fully committed to protecting this rich legacy and will extend all possible support for its upkeep and conservation. Addressing the Shekhawati Heritage Conservation Dialogue at the Chief Minister’s Office on Monday, Sharma said that the government is taking concrete measures to generate employment and boost economic growth through tourism in the Shekhawati region. In line with this, the Shekhawati Haveli Conservation Scheme was announced in the 2025–26 Budget. Under the scheme, 662 historic havelis across Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Churu districts have been identified to be developed as heritage walks, cultural centers, art galleries, homestays, and tourism hubs.
Highlighting the region’s growing prominence, he said that Shekhawati, known for its unique blend of art, culture, and faith, is emerging as a leading tourist destination. In the first six months of this year alone, the three districts attracted nearly 1.9 crore domestic tourists and over 33,000 foreign visitors. He also mentioned that the government is implementing the Yamuna Water Agreement to support farmers’ prosperity and is developing Khatu Shyamji and Salasar Balaji temples as major religious tourism centers. So far, 30 heritage certificates have been issued to Shekhawati havelis, linking them with tourism and economic activities.
The CM informed that 58 MoUs have been signed to promote tourism and investment in the region, which will also create employment opportunities. Action plans are being prepared to implement these MoUs, and rising Rajasthan conclaves are being organized in cities like Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Surat to connect with haveli owners and stakeholders.
He urged local communities, experts, and conservationists to actively participate in heritage preservation, much like the significant contribution being made by the Rajasthan diaspora under the Karmabhoomi se Matrubhoomi campaign for water conservation. A joint committee of various departments will also be set up to ensure long-term planning and infrastructure development in towns such as Ramgarh, Nawalgarh, Mandawa, Khetri, Laxmangarh, Fatehpur, and Mahansar. He further directed district collectors to strictly prevent the demolition of any havelis in the future.
Earlier, haveli owners, tour operators, conservationists, and other stakeholders shared their suggestions on heritage conservation, tourism potential, job creation, and infrastructure development. The Tourism and Local Self-Government Departments presented details of ongoing development works in the region.
Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari said that the government is actively implementing budget announcements related to Shekhawati haveli conservation. The Tourism Department has empaneled conservation experts, and by-laws are being enforced to protect the originality of the heritage.
The program was attended by Rajasthan Heritage Authority Chairman Omkar Singh Lakhawat, Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, senior officials of Tourism, Finance, Urban Development and Local Self-Government departments, along with haveli owners, tour operators, and experts from the Shekhawati region. Collectors of Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu also joined via VC.