Hawa Mahal
Palace of the Wind, Jaipur, Pink City of Rajastan, Land of Kings
This sight is located in Jaipur, India. For travel information about Jaipur, read the Jaipur Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to India, read also the India Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation there? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.
Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Wind, was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. This whimsical building is one of the most famous landmarks of Jaipur. In fact, Hawa Mahal is part of the City Palace, an extension of the Zenana or women's chambers. that is located away from the main complex. This five storey building of unusual architecture was designed by Lal Chand Usta. A stunning example of Rajput artistry, Hawa Mahal is made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime. Hawa Mahal affords a spectacular view of the city of Jaipur, and was originally conceived with the aim of enabling the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions in the city without being seen by others.
The façade makes Hawa Mahal look more like a delicate screen than a palace. The structure has tier after tier of 953 small casements, each with tiny lattice worked (Jali) pink windows, small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. These small windows circulate cool air (Hawa) even in hot months. The pyramidal outline is even throughout by cramming and multiplying casements; and uses repetition of motifs to enhance its beauty.
Hawa Mahal, the Palace of the Wind.
The entrance to Hawa Mahal is from the City Palace side, through a stately door which opens into a spacious courtyard. The courtyard has a double storeyed building on three sides. There is a small archeological museum here. Only the eastern wing has three more storeys above, which are just a single room thick, with no walls thicker than 20cm. There are no regular stairs to reach the upper floors, but only ramps.
Hawa Mahal is currently under the supervision of the State archeological department. It provides visitors excellent views of Jaipur City. The best time to view it is at sunrise when sunlight through the latticed windows gives it a wonderful glow.
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