The Shekhawati region in eastern Rajasthan, India, is home to many grand buildings called havelis, where the Rajasthan royals lived. These havelis, mostly abandoned or rented to locals, were built by Marwari traders along the Silk Road, a historic trade route connecting India, Pakistan, and China. As the Silk Road declined, the Marwari moved on, leaving behind these impressive structures showcasing their wealth.

Mandawa and Nawalgarh are the main towns with a large concentration of havelis. Some havelis are now museums, allowing visitors to explore for a small fee. The intricate frescoes inside these buildings depict various themes, including daily life, gods, goddesses, folk mythology, and the influence of the British in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The frescoes use natural pigments, with the oldest ones using ochre, red, white lead, lamp black, and Indian yellow. Newer frescoes use synthetic pigments imported from Europe. The artwork narrates stories of gods, goddesses, mythological battles, and romantic tales like Laila-Majnu, Heer-Ranjha, and Rajasthan's Dhola and Maru.

Frescoes also portray Europeans with a humorous undertone, providing insights into how Indians perceived them. Despite being off the typical tourist path, exploring these mesmerizing frescoes is well worth the time, offering a glimpse into a bygone era.