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They are the traditional houses of the rich Marwari merchants of the 18th century , with facades painted with beautiful Mughal style frescoes which , almost like an open-air art gallery , tell of worlds , distant and mysterious , populated by tigers and elephants . An artistic heritage that characterises the Shekhawati region and which is certainly worth visiting , going beyond the more touristy and usual itineraries to get here .
Almost 500 kilometres from Delhi we reached Bikaner which was one of the most important stops along the caravan routes that crossed the Thar desert , drawing glory and wealth
from these trades . A city today far from the traditional tourism routes that still wraps itself around the mighty walls of the Junagarh fortress and the authenticity of its bazaar around the ancient Kothegate gate . As in the past , this place is still the obligatory passage between the new and the old city which , as in the past , is still surrounded by seven kilometres of ancient walls . It is here , walking through these streets teeming with men , women , stalls and pulled carts that you can breathe the most authentic air of this Indian city with an illustrious past that is now very , very distant .
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