The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Wind is a Jaipur landmark
which was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh way back in
the year 1799. The Hawa Mahal displays fanciful architecture
and has been so named because the palace has specially latticed
screens and arches for an unbridled flow of air currents in
a set pattern with the passage of the sun.
Till the recent past, ladies of the court from within the
palace positioned themselves by the balconies to watch processions
passing through in the streets below without themselves being
observed by the people.
The Hawa Mahal was designed by renowned architect Lal Chand
Usta and is built of red and pink sandstone and is a living
testimony of Rajput architectural grandeur. The Hawa Mahal
is shaped like a pyramid and has a staggering 953 small windowpanes
and all of them are conspicuous by their miniscule lattice
work, miniature balconies and vaulted roofs all of which are
exquisitely designed and engraved.
Hawa Mahal is accessible from where the City Palace is located
and entry is via a majestic door which leads to the large
courtyard and is clustered with two storied edifices on three
sides.
Hawa Mahal offers breath taking views of Jaipur city, its
palatial edifices and quarters. There is no sign of any ornate
embellishments adorning Hawa Mahal.
Presently Hawa Mahal is managed by the Department of Archaeology,
Government of Rajasthan. The most appropriate time to visit
Hawa Mahal is early in the morning at the time of sunrise.
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