Parsurampura – For Oldest Wall Paintings

Parsurampura is nearly 43 kilometers South East from Mandawa and 20 kilometers from Nawalgarh. It is a town in Jhunjhunu district. This place is known for its oldest paintings in entire region. The moment you step out of bus from Bus Stand, you can start your tour with Shamji Saraf Haveli. This haveli dates back to 18^th century and one can see Hindu gods’ as well European men and women painted on walls.

Wall Painting in One of Parsurampura Havelis

Chhatri of Thakur Sardul Singh, about 50 meters from haveli features beautiful paintings. These paintings show lives of various gods. Colors used in these paintings are completely natural and dates back to 18^th Century. For the romantics, there is story of Dhola Maru depicted in these paintings. Story of Dhola Maru is a tale similar to Romeo and Juliet and very popular in the Shekhawati Region of Rajasthan. A word of caution, this place is locked and you will need to take the key from caretaker, Mr. Banwari Lal. This person has maintained the place single handedly. One can use a clean toilet here. If possible, we advise you to donate some money here.

Sardul Singh commissioned the GopinathJi Mandir in 1742. It is widely believed that artists who worked painted Chhatri also worked on this temple.

How to get here?

You get buses from Nawalgarh and it is just one hour journey. The journey will cost you about Rs 15 and is dusty. You can go early in morning and come back. There is no point staying here.

History of Parsurampura

The District under which Parsurampura falls has its own History to boast about.  Jhunjhunu lies in the Shekhawati province. It was conquered in 1730 by Thakur Shardul Singh Shekhawat from the claws of Rohilla Khan. Rohilla Khan was the last emperor of Jhunjhunu.  Shardul Singh had five living sons from his three marriages. After his death his entire empire was equally divided among his five sons. The administration was thus known as Panchpana. To pay him due respect his sons constructed a monumental dome at Parsurampura after his death.

Apart from well preserved and ancient paintings, Parsurampura’s history depicts in quite an aspects of it being a sought after refuge for the descendents of Thakur Bhojraj. Thakur Bhojraj was 5^th son of Raja Raisal. He was a brave and generous ruler. The dynasty of Udaipurwati was bestowed to him by his father as a Jagir. King Bhojraj was ancestors of the famous “Bhojraj Ki Ja”. Bhojraj Ki Ja is a branch of Shekhawat kinfolk of Kachawa Dynasty.

Shekhawats were the most prominent rulers of Shekhawati.  Under their close supervision, the Shekhawat Rulers build more than 50 Palaces and Forts. These constructions were known as “Thikanas”. Parsurampura was also one of these numerous Thikanas for Shekhawat Clan.

One painting From Shekhavati havelis

Shekhawats were well known for their bravery and combat skills. A small tale is well known in Shekhawati. During a war between Marathas and Jaipur, a shekhawati soldier was executed for not handing over his horse, by Maratha warrior. This made the shekhawats attack on Marathas and slaughter more than 6000 of their armed forces without seeking king’s permission.

Parsurampura has some ancient and interesting historical facts worth seeing. However, since there are many high profile tourist spots in Rajasthan, this place will need some more push to become a tourist spot,