SONE KI DUKAN

The Sone Ki Dukan, "the golden store", served as a chamber of commerce. The great merchant families used to meet here to discuss prices and other matters. This small building of three rooms, built in 1850 by Harkanth Rai Poddar, is very close to a temple dedicated to Shiva and owes its originality to the abundance of gilding on its murals. You are in front of the most beautiful frescoes of Shekhawati and perhaps even of Rajasthan. Walls and ceilings are entirely painted with delicate motifs and scenes from Hindu mythology, where red dominates. The most famous one evokes scenes from the Ramayana (the final battle), incarnations of Vishnu and moments in the life of Krishna. We also discover a magnificent representation of the city of Jaipur as well as religious texts painted with gold leaf. The frescoes are of a great meticulousness and show a great mastery. The details are abundant and you will not have too much time to grasp all the subtleties. The paintings are applied on the wooden lintels and beams or on the plaster of the walls. The most interesting frescoes are painted on the ceilings while the walls are decorated with floral motifs. If Mahansar is a bit lost, it is nevertheless worth the drive on the rough roads to get there. The place is locked, but don't worry, Kaliram, who acts as a guide, will find you. Otherwise, go to the small grocery store located next to the Raghunath temple.