Haveli

"Haveli is the term used for a building of personal residence in Shekhawati and Marwar regions of Rajasthan, India. The word haveli is of Persian origin, meaning "an enclosed place". 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 frescos depicting mythological themes. The frescos include Images of Gods, Goddesses, animals, 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 a style. The havelis used to be closed from all sides with one big strong main gate. Secluded from the outside world the havelis set their own pace of life. 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 two to three stories high. Most of the havelis are empty nowadays or just give a shelter to an old watchman.These havelis are major attraction for tourists in Rajasthan". Source: Wikipedia.

Haveli peinte du Shekhawati, Fatehpur
Painted haveli from Shekhawati, Fatehpur

Détail d'une peinture d'une haveli, Mandawa
Detail of a painting from a haveli, Mandawa

Plafond d'une haveli peint de motifs floraux, Mandawa
Ceiling of a haveli painted with floral motifs, Mandawa

Détail du même plafond: roses et fleurs de datura, Mandawa
Detail of the same ceiling: roses and datura flowers , Mandawa

Détail du même plafond: fleur de datura, Mandawa
Detail of the same ceiling: datura flower, Mandawa

Feuilles et fleur de datura à l'entrée de la même haveli, Mandawa
Leaves and flower of datura, in front of the same haveli, Mandawa