The Surabhi Restaurant and Turban Museum is conveniently located at a quaint spot near Subhash Chowk. The haveli in which the museum has been established, dates back to 1727 A.D. It was the palace of the prime minister of Sawai Jai Singh, and is dedicated to Late Brig. K. Chand Singh of Bhagwanpura (Nagaur).
The museum has one large hall displaying collection of turbans across three states of India, namely, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Classification of turbans rely on seasons, community festivals, and family circumstances such as marriages, birth, and death. A phalguniya turban, for instance, would be worn during the spring season, the dotted chunri pattern or bright colours signify a marriage or birth of a child while dark blue, maroon or khakhi signify death in the family.
There are two types of turbans that are on display:
Safa (10 meter long and 1 meter wide), a turban for daily use. Shape and color are discerning factors to determine a person’s position in society, background and what he does for a living.
Paag (22 meter long and 6 inches wide), which is tied once and worn like a cap till the material gets dirty and is then replaced with a new one.
The haveli complex houses a library with an extensive collection of books on Rajasthan/India and a museum shop. A Bhopa singer and Rajasthani folk dancers perform at the haveli during dinner. There are also turban-tying competitions and demonstrations in the premises.
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Courtyard view of the complex
The display portrays the change of the colour with the change in every month of the year. The summer colours are lighter as compared to the winter colours that are warmer.
Worn by the bridegroom of the Maheshwari (business) community. A luminous gold band is also used as a decoration
Worn by Kalbelia groom. Kalbelia community are traditional snake charmers. The front portion of the turban is made up of threads with mirrorwork on it.
Worn during weddings by the Sodha Rajputs. They migrated to India from Pakistan during the partition and are settled along the border in Jaisalmer and Barmer.
A few villages around Barmer were gifted to Bhati Rajputs. This particular area is called Bhatipa and the people of this region wear this particular style of turban.
Based on a style introduced by Maharana Amar Singh of Mewar. The decoration used are typical of royalty.
A common turban of the Rebaris (Camel Herdsmen) from Jalore.
Worn by the Langa community during weddings and festivals.