Hawa Mahal - Jaipur, Rajasthan

Hawa Mahal or the "Palace of Wind" is situated in the Pink City Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state. Hawa Mahal is Jaipur’s exotic pink monument which offers a fabulous view of the city, its beautiful architecture, and markets and on the whole, life outside the palace. Hawa Mahal is a multi layered palace, which was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the year 1799. The magnificent five storeyed palace overlooking one of the main streets of Jaipur, was originally built for the women, so that they can watch the activities taking place is in the nearby market and surrounding streets. The palace offer splendour views of the pink city, including the old palaces and pink-painted houses. People, who climb up to the balconies of Hawa Mahal, are almost swept away by the cool breeze.

Legend - Hawa Mahal - Jaipur, Rajasthan

Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh commissioned Lal Chand Usta as the chief architect who designed the Hawa Mahal for a specific purpose. The idea behind the construction of this delicate looking monument was to create a platform for the ladies of the royal household to observe and enjoy the on-goings of the busy bazaars and street below, without being noticed by commoners. Constructed in 1799, the Hawa Mahal is a five-storied structure that has no steps but ramps that lead to tiny cocoons from where the ladies of the regal family could see what was going on in the city.

About Hawa Mahal – Jaipur, Rajasthan

The five storey palace designed by Lal Chand Usta, is famous for its beehive like struture. The Hawa Mahal is a finest example of the Rajputana architecture, which was greatly influenced by Mughal architectural style. The palace built of red and pink sand stone, is carefully and intricately outlined with white borders and motifs. The pyramid shaped structure is made up of 953 small casements, each with small lattice work pink windows, small balconies and nicely carved arched roofs. The interior of the building in not properly ornated. The chambers are plain, with more mass of pillars and passages lead to the top storey.

The Palace has its entrance from the rare side of the main building, through a stately door. It has not the entry from front portion, like the conventional buildings. The entrance opens onto a spacious courtyard, which is surrounded from three sides by a double-storeyed building. A small archaeological museum is situated here. On the eastern wing there are three more storeys, which is just one room wide. The building stands on a high podium, which give this palace its unique facade. There are no regular stairs to reach the upper floors, but only ramps.

How to Reach Hawa Mahal – Jaipur:-

Air:- The nearest airport is Jaipur Airport, Sanganer which is at a distance of 11 km from where regular flights connect Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major destinations of India.

Rail:-Trains are available from all the major parts of India. The luxury train the "Palace on Wheel" also covers the city.

Best Time to Visit Hawa Mahal-Jaipur:-

October to February