Churu – The Hidden Gem of Shekhawati tourist places is an underrated jewel of the Shekhawati region, renowned for its golden sand dunes and magnificent havelis. As the “Gateway to the Thar Desert,” Churu offers a unique blend of historical grandeur and desert landscapes.
The city is a feast for the eyes, with its grand mansions like the Surana Haveli, often called the “Hawa Mahal of Churu,” boasting intricate architecture with over a thousand doors and windows. The Kanhaiyalal Bagla Haveli is another highlight, famous for its detailed frescoes and murals.
Beyond the havelis, Churu’s historical significance is showcased by the Churu Fort. It is a must-visit for its captivating history, where, during a siege, the local ruler reportedly fired cannonballs made of silver to defend his people when ammunition ran out.
For nature enthusiasts, the nearby Tal Chhapar Sanctuary is a paradise, home to a large population of blackbucks and a variety of migratory birds. The Sethani Ka Johara, a beautiful historic reservoir, is a serene spot that attracts numerous birds and animals.
Churu is the perfect destination for travelers seeking an authentic and artistic experience away from the usual tourist crowds.
History of Churu
Founded in the 17th century by a Jat chieftain named Churru, the town later came under the control of the Rathore clan. Churu has a fascinating history, most notably its legendary “silver cannon” episode. During a war with the Bikaner state in 1814, when the Churu fort’s ammunition ran out, the ruler, Thakur Shiv Singh, ordered the town’s women to donate their silver jewelry. This jewelry was melted down and used to fire cannonballs at the enemy, a unique and famous tale in the region’s history.
Important places for exploring churu tourism
The true beauty of Shekhawati lies in its diversity—each town has its own charm and set of attractions. Here are some must-visit spots that reflect the artistic and historical richness of the region:
1- Sethani ka Johara
To start with your expedition, Sethani Ka Johara is the best. It was built by the wife of Bhagwan Das Bagla in 1956. This is actually a water reservoir which was built to provide water to the female natives of the town. This is actually a famous shekhawati tourist places that attracts a lot of tourism. Natives tells that after all these years the water hasn’t dried and providing water to tourists, animals such as nilgai, blackbuck and birds as well. The architecture around this reservoir is really beautiful and it is a typical Rajasthani style of architecture.
2- Salasar Balaji
If you want to visit a temple then it is best to pay a visit to Salasar Balaji. When you are planning to travelling in Rajasthan make sure to visit Salasar Balaji which is also famous as Salasar Balaji Dham. This temple is dedicated to lord Hanuman. This is one of the most temples of Rajasthan. This temple houses some other temples that are Khatu Shyam Temple and Rani Sati Dadi temple. All of these temples are so close to each other that you can easily visit each one of them. However, the Hanuman idol is a self-originated idol in this temple. Apart from this, there are different stories of how the idol was formed in the temple. People tie coconuts in the temple to fulfil their wishes. Special prasad is offered to the deity of the temple and then distributed among the devotees.
3- Digambar Jain temple
When you are out on desert visit in Rajasthan then don’t forget to visit the Shantinath Bhagwan, The Jain Temple. Its exterior gives feelings like it’s a plain white house but you get surprise when you actually go upstairs. The interiors of this temple can beat any magnificent designed palaces. The walls are decorated with colorful murals. Different colours of glasses are used to make it pop-out. There another section of a wall which is painted with a snake and ladders. In the centre point of this temple, the Murti of Jian Tirthankar is located.
4- Churu fort
Visiting Churu and not churu fort? How can it be possible? One of the most popular Thar desert tourist places is Churu Fort. This fort was built in 1694 and was built by Thakur Kushal Singh. There is an interesting story about this fort and it made the fort very popular. During the battle of 1871, Bikaneri forces attacked the fort but the ammunition in Churu fort was getting over. When the ruler of Churu seen this condition he ordered the women of town to give their silver jewellery. The silver jewellery was melted and converted into the shells of cannons.
5- Surana Haveli
As we know that Churu is full of palaces and havelis. One such haveli is Surana Haveli. The churu tourism is full of surprises and beauty as well. This is not just a haveli but a mansion and it is one of the biggest mansions of Churu. This mansion was built in 1870 and it is now famous as Wind Palace or Hawa Mahal. The haveli has a beautiful architecture which showcases the story and art of those period. In fact it is actually two havelis which were built by Kothai and Surana Dynasties. These havelis have atleast 1111 doors and windows with elegant architecture.
Best Time to Visit Churu
The best time to visit Churu is during the winter months, from October to March, when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing. The summer can be extremely hot due to its location in the Thar Desert.
How to Reach Churu?
By Air : Churu doesn’t have any airport. However, Saganer in Jaipur is the nearest airport to reach Churu by Air. Distance between Churu and Saganer is 175 km that is covered by bus or taxi.
By Rail : Churu is the main railway station in Rajasthan well connected via trains to all major cities of India. You can take a train from Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner in Rajasthan and from other parts of India like Delhi, Churu, Mumbai, Ahemadabad and different others.
By Road : Road connectivity to reach Churu is amazing as it connects to all main cities of Rajasthan by state highways and National Highways. You can take a taxi or bus or reach by your own car.
