Named by its founder Thakur Nawal Singh (son of the most successful ruler of Shekhawati, Shardul Singh), Nawalgarh was a prosperous city in the Shekhawati region. Some of India's rich commercial clans trace their origin from Nawalgarh today. Among these the Goenka family stands out. The havelis of the city - Aath haveli, Murarka Haveli, Khedwal Bhawan, Bhagton ki Haveli and Anandi Lal Poddar Haveli - are its main attraction. Frescoes and wall paintings are extremely attractive and reflect the skills of the workers who created them. Another attraction of Nawalgarh is the Temple of Ganga Mai.
Nawalgrah, a busy commercial city 25 km north of Sikar, became what it is in 1737, when Shekawat Nawal Singh chose what was then a small village as a place for the fort. For tourists, this is the most suitable base for exploring the Shekhawati region, with an abundance of painted havelis, a picturesque, relatively car-free bazaar, good transport links and several cheap hotels among the best in Rajasthan. The rich and powerful Poddar family lives in Nawalgarh, merchants who emigrated south to become Bombay industrialists and who for many years sponsored the construction of schools and colleges throughout the country, including Nawalgarh.
