Why in News?
The ancient Shekhawati Havelis of Rajasthan have been added to the UNESCO Tentative List, which might enable them to get included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in future. The information was released by the Rajasthan Government on 5 September 2026.
Key Highlights
- The havelis of Alsisar, Bissau, Chirawa, Churu, Dundlod, Fatehpur, Jhunjhunu, Khetri, Laxmangarh, Mandawa, Mahansar, Nawalgarh, Ramgarh and Sikar have been added to the Tentative List.
- The Shekhawati region is famous for its richly decorated havelis having distinctive fresco paintings, traditional architecture and cultural motifs. These paintings are a treasure of knowledge about the artistic traditions and the social and cultural life of Rajasthan in the era in which they were created.
- The addition to the Tentative List is likely to boost heritage conservation and tourism in the Shekhawati region. It also provides a pathway for the sites to be considered for eventual inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
About UNESCO Tentative List
The Tentative List is a catalog of cultural and natural heritage sites that a country considers eligible for nomination to the UNESCO World Heritage List. A site is required to be on the Tentative List before it can be nominated for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
