Churu Tourism
Churu, the headquarters of the district's main desert, is a part of the Shekhawati frescoland. An significant center for trade and commerce, Churu has noted its location among the painted towns of Shekhawati region. The city is literally a wall of life that has been conveyed in the walls of the havelis (mansions) of the wealthy classes of trade. It's really a rich heritage of traditional art of Rajasthan.
Churu-A Desert Town
Founded in 1563, the city was part of the kingdom of the Maharaja of Bikaner. He came to his name after a Jat leader who had established the city sterile. Churu lives up to its portrait of a desert city with spectacular sand dunes enclosing western and southern parts.
Flourished as a Trading Town
In the 18th century fell in Churu caravan route and said that the commercial classes of the city were accommodated in their various businesses. The Poddars were the largest traders of that time conducting mostly in wool, shawls from Kashmir in particular. The Thakur (local ruler) of Churu, Sheo Singh, imposed a heavy tax on wool Poddars forcing them to move to Sikar.
The Sikar Rao, Devi Singh, happily welcomed them to a place fifteen km south of Churu where the Poddars based the town of Ramgarh.
But traders were dissatisfied Poddar and Thakur rebelled against the Maharaja of Bikaner, Surat Singh, the result was attractive grim for the former. He killed and the Maharaja took over the city 1813. He ordered the destruction of the wall and the fortress constructed in 1739.
Another rebellion in 1818 ended the rule of Thakurs Churu and came instantly under the state of Bikaner. When the British arrived in the 1830's, it would be a surprise - the city was in ruins.
Trade was absolutely non-existent due to the transition to Ramgarh and repeated incursions by the rulers of Shekhawati. The Maharaja convinced the business classes to return to Churu, thus reviving the city and give the painted havelis and most impressive temples in all of Rajasthan.
Main Attractions in Churu
Ratangarh
This strength is a major attraction in the state and was built in 1820 AD by Raja of Bikaner - Ratan Singh. The fortress is situated in Agra - Bikaner Highway. The shape of the marketplace is in the form of a cross suggesting that the city was designed before structure. You can see a scope of havelis which is about the main clock tower at the main intersection.
Salasar Balaji
In the town of Churu, this is one of the famous temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Located on the road Japurá-Bikaner, Churu is a known pilgrimage in India. It is said that this is the place where Lord Balaji fulfills the wishes of thousands of devotees.
Surana Haveli
This is a six-story building, with an artistic windows and graceful doors. The haveli has more than 1,100 doors.
Churu Excursions
Dudhwa Khara
It is a historic village located in the Thar desert. The village has attractive topography and have huge wonderfully designed havelis. You could delight rural life and camel safaris in the Dudhwa Khara.
Sardar Shahar
Only 46 km from Churu, Sardar Shahar is a charming desert down with lovely complex havelis beautified with colorful wall paintings and carved woodwork.
Tal Chhapar
Tal Chhapar is a little enticing lake and harbours several endangered species like black bucks and a few migratory birds. The lake is hundred km awa from Churu.
Shopper’s Paradise
Churu is a little city with number of home shops selling regional handicrafts, tie and dye fabrics and furniture. You could discover materials like wool, millet, gram, cattle and salt. The city is also dispersed with cottage industries which comprise handloom weaving, pottery and leather manufacture.
Famous Artisans of the Churu Town
Despite a city without boasting of crafts, Churus bids some brilliant sandalwood. In Churu, Malchand Jangid, a carpenter used to create sandalwood almonds that were attached in wood. When opened they disclosed a small deity of your selection.
Ram Ratan Sharma, another expert in this art, he first begun carving bars of soap for cheap until his mother found a large box of sandalwood. With the tools that he made, he created complex objects - medallions, flowering plants with unseen cells that open to reveal sandalwood gods or a village scene. Churu is also famed for its drums, especially during the festivals of Holi and Muharram.
Sagas of Love
The marvel of Dhola and Maru is the Indian version of Romeo-Juliet saga (see also Jodhpur: Mehrangarh Fort.) Princess Maru was a place called Pugal near Bikaner, while Dhola was the handsome adolescent prince of Gwalior. A terrible drought in fact Pugal (then two years old) Maru change from father to Gwalior, which was ruled by his friend, the father of Dhola.
He remained there for three years before leaving for his hometown, the two kings each promised to get their children married each other. However, after a lapse of 20 years all the promises were forgotten and Maru, was betrothed to a man called Umra.
But circumstances prevailed, and a bard of Pugal Gwalior who had traveled to sing in the royal court about the betrothal of children Dhola and Maru. After hearing the song Dhola fell hook, line and sinker for the good princess Maru. With love in her eyes woo beagn Dhola Maru also fell in love with the beautiful Dhola.
When two hearts collide must be a result and so they determined to flee. Umra came to know about their plans and went after them with his brother Sumr. The lovers flee their camels with their bows arrows were no match for Umra-Sumr brothers who had guns.
However, they were able to evade the evil brothers and took refuge in a forest. Unfortunately Dhola was bitten by a snake and died instantly. Maru, which deceived by her lover, he proceeded to mourn death.
Luck favored Maru and his cries were heard by the Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. Parvati asked her husband to relive Dhola and thus by divine intervention, fans came together to live happily ever after (for another legendary version of the popular story see Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur).
The Sassi and Punnu tradition is also fascinating. Sassi was a princess who was abandoned at an early age and grew up among laundresses.
Punnu, by contrast, was a prince who married Sassi against the wishes of their parents. Parents of evil was kidnapped and later heartbroken Sassi died in the desert, while desperately searching for her lost love.
