Jaipur Hawa Mahal

The regal Hawa Mahal is perhaps one of the oft visited tourist destinations of the lovely Pink City of Jaipur. Instituted by the famed maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, circa 1799, the 'palace of the winds', is the repository of history and tradition of the colorful state of Rajasthan.

A portion of the magnificent City Palace, the Hawa Mahal is a stupendous melange of Rajasthan and Mughal schools of architecture. Etched in punk hued sandstone, it soars up to a height of about five stories and is one of the most remarkable monuments of Rajasthan.

The brain child of Lal Chand Usta, it comprises of nine hundred and fifty three tiny jharokha adorned, curved roofed cells, that cuts a comely picture. The unembellished and stark back portion of the mahal may, however, intrigue visitors. Legend has it that the purpose of building this arresting site was to enable the purdah clad womenfolk to soak in the feel of the sights and sounds of the place.

Enchanting views of the majestic Jantar Mantar, the celebrated observatory, the grand City Palace and the bustling Siredeori Bazaar is the unique selling protocol of the beautiful Hawa Mahal. The history buffs can queue up at the museum and catch a glimpse of the glorious regal life. It is said that the stunning Hawa Mahal is in its glorious best when the golden rays of the morning sun caresses it. So, troop to this tourist hotspot and be a witness to breathtaking beauty and splendor.

History & Later Developments
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, grandson of the great Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who built Jaipur, constructed the Hawa Mahal in 1799. He was so impressed with the Khetri Mahal built by Maharaja Bhopal Singh in the town of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan that he embarked on constructing the Hawa Mahal that today stands as a remarkable gem of Rajput style of architecture. It was built as an extension of the Royal City Palace and leads to the zenana or women's chambers. One of the main reasons of constructing this beautiful mahal decorated with fine lattice windows and screened balconies was to facilitate the royal Rajput women, who otherwise followed the strict Purdah system and refrained from appearing in public, in getting a glimpse of the daily events, royal processions and festivals taking place on the streets. This way they could enjoy their sense of freedom while maintaining their customs.

Architecture & Design of Hawa Mahal
The architect of this unique five-storied pyramidal palace with a height of 15 m from its elevated base was Lal Chand Ustad. The design of the building showcases an excellent blend of Hindu Rajput architecture with that of the Islamic Mughal architecture. The former style is palpable from the fluted pillars, floral patterns and domed canopies while the arches and stone inlay filigree work are manifestations of the latter style.

Keeping in line with other famous landmarks of the city, which is aptly tagged as the ‘Pink City’, this monument was built with red and pink sandstones. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh’s devotion towards Lord Krishna is manifested from the design of the structure of the palace that resembles the crown of the Lord. Although not exactly a palace, it looks like one from the street. The façade of the building intricately carved with beautiful motifs is cognate to that of the honeycomb of a beehive. Several potholes of the structure each having small lattice windows, chiselled sandstone grill and decorated domes give the building a look of a mass of semi-octagonal bays. There are a total of 953 elaborately carved jharokhas or windows, some of which are made of wood. These jharokhas were build in such a manner that air circulates naturally through them creating Venturi effect (doctor breeze) thus air conditioning the entire structure during the hot summers. Each jharokha has a small chamber where one can sit and view the street. Fountains at the middle of each chamber complimented well with the light wind flowing through the jharokhas thus enhancing the cooling effect of the chambers.

A Visit to the Hawa Mahal
The Hawa Mahal that attracts national and international tourists visiting Jaipur is located in the southern part of the city on Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad. It can be visited on all days from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, however it is best viewed early in the morning when the golden rays of the Sun fall on this royal building giving it a more elegant and gorgeous look. The ancient artefacts preserved in the museum of the mahal give one a glimpse of the rich past, the cultural heritage and the exuberant lifestyle of the Rajputs. One can avail a taxi or book a car to reach the destination. As summers in Rajasthan are too hot, the best time to visit Jaipur is from October to March when the weather of the city becoms pleasant.

Best Time to Visit
Since it's Jaipur, which is in Rajasthan, it is always better to plan your trip during October and March. In fact, these are the six months when the Jaipur weather becomes very pleasant. In the day time, the weather becomes pleasing, while in the night, you may need to pull on the quilts.

How to Reach
You can reach the city by three modes of transport, plane, train or bus and even cab.
From Sanganer airport, you will get buses and cabs. It is up to you which one you would like to take. If you want to consider trains, then the nearest metro station is Merta Road Jn Railway Station. Bus service is also available, which will help you to reach the city without any trouble. But if you want even a more convenient travel experience, you can book a cab. You can take a look in and around the city whenever you want.