Palace Of The Winds - Hawamahal, Jaipur

Quote of the Post: "Hawa Mahal is a prominent attraction which is standing high in the heart of pink city." - Quote about Hawa Mahal in Jaipur by Sachin Kumar Gupta.

The renowned 'Palace Of The Winds', or Hawa Mahal, is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Jaipur city. The intricate and fascinating facade of the Palace of the Winds is probably Jaipur's most recognized building. If you search for Jaipur, you will easily see Hawa Mahal as the symbol of City at various sites and places.

Location: Next to the City Palace in the heart of the Pink City.

$$ Entry Fees: INR 10 for Indians. INR 50 for foreigners. 

Hawa Mahal Opening Timings: 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily.

Located in the heart of Jaipur, this beautiful five-storey palace was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who built Jaipur). The palace is believed to have been constructed in the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. The palace is built of red and pink sandstone that contain rows of small colorful windows and screens. Wind flows through the open windows, enables free circulation of air within the structure, giving the palace its name.

The main highlight of Hawa Mahal is its pyramid shape and its 953 windows or 'Jharokhas' which are decorated with intricate designs. The palace overlooks the main street of Jaipur's lively Old City. The main entrance of the Hawa Mahal is from the rear of the building where one can usually find many monkeys. The interior of the Hawa Mahal is stiff and plain with passages and pillars reaching to the top storey. The building stories are connected by slopes to reach the upper floors. 

Though many reasons are cited behind the construction of the fort, Purdah system followed by the Rajputs is said to be one of the main causes. During those days, Rajput royal women did not appear in public or in front of strangers. However, they were keen to follow the day-to-day events and royal processions occurring on the streets. So the main intention behind the construction of the Hawa Mahal was to facilitate the royal women a sense of freedom and provide them a view of everyday life through the windows without being observed. A panoramic view can be enjoyed from the top of the building. Take a peek behind the facade of the Hawa Mahal. The monument also has an archaeological museum. 

There are numerous attractions around Hawa Mahal such as the famous Jantar Mantar, Govind Devji temple, Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort, BM Birla Planetarium, Jain Temple, Statue Circle and so on. From topmost floor of Hawa Mahal, we could finger point most of the places and enjoyed excellent view of the city with flowing winds. We also visited Hawa Mahal during evening and night times that is eye-catching from outside.

Here are some of the tips to visit Jaipur in a day or in two days.

Nearby Tourist Attractions in Jaipur as per map:

City Palace and Govind Devji Temple (C)

Jantar Mantar (D)

Government Central Museum (Albert Hall Museum) (E)

Birla Planetarium Jaipur (F)

Jal Mahal (G)

Places near Hawa Mahal - Jaipur

$$ Composite ticket that includes entry fees for:

[A] Amber Palace and Fort

[B] Nahargarh Fort

[C] Albert Hall

[D] Hawa Mahal

[E] Jantar Mantar