Main Info
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur Overview
Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Hawa Mahal is located in the pink city of Rajasthan at a stone throw away from Jaipur. It was built for the Rajput women to enjoy the festivals and events in the street because these women are not permitted to appear in public places. You will be shocked to know that this mahal has about 953 windows on the outside walls. These wonderfully carved windows permit breeze to blow through the fort and make it an ideal summer palace. The top provides eye-catching views over Jantar Mantar and Sireh Deori Bazaar in one direction while the City Palace in other. Within the complex of Hawa Mahal, there is a small museum which houses popular miniature paintings, ceremonial armor, etc.
The architect of Hawa Mahal was Lal Chand Ustad. The height of this unique five-storied palace is 15 m from its elevated base. The design of this amazing displays an outstanding blend of Hindu Rajput architecture and Islamic Mughal architecture. However, the previous style of this mahal is palpable from the floral patterns, domed canopies, and fluted pillars. The Hawa Mahal palace is based on five-story building and each one has a distinctively decorated chamber. There is an appealing fountain that welcomes visitors inside the palace, from whereon visitors can make their way up to the other floors. Besides, you will see a small museum here which holds some miniature paintings and rich relics.
More on Hawa Mahal
History of Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal constructed in the year 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who was so overwhelmed with the Khetri Mahal ( Situated in the state of Jhunjhunu) built by Maharaja Bhopal Singh that he embarked on making the Hawa Mahal. A key reason of constructing this stunning mahal decorated with screened balconies and fine lattice window was to facilitate the Rajput women, who are refrained from appearing in public places, in getting a quick look of the festivals and events taking place on the streets on every day.
The architecture of Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal Place is built by using pink and red sandstone. This unique five-story building is a fine specimen of Rajput architecture and exterior of the palace looks similar to the honeycomb of a beehive. Also, it has more than 900 small windows adorned with complex latticework. Why are there many windows? This is because the royal women can look out to the street anywhere they want. Apart from this, these windows help to keep the Mahal cool and making it a perfect place for summertime.
Nearby Tourist Places
There are plenty of tourist attractions around Hawa Mahal. Some of the most popular once are Jantar Mantar, Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Govind Devji temple, Jain Temple, Statue Circle, Ram Niwas Bagh, Sisodia Rani Garden, and BM Birla Planetarium.
Shopping At Hawa Mahal
You will find plenty of shops here, particularly outside the palace premises. You can buy a variety of items, including daily use products. This huge shopping area is known as Manek Chowk or BadiChaupal. Some of the most common products available for buy here include traditional clothing, vase, traditional footwear or ‘juttis’, showpieces, jewellery, key chains. Apart from this, dress materials with Jaipuri print, handicrafts, sarees, jewellery, antiques, and Rajasthani furniture are also easily available in the market. Many shops also sell tasty snacks including golgappas, samosas & kachoris, bhelpuri.
How to Reach Hawa Mahal
Jaipur is well-connected to Delhi, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Varanasi and Calcutta by domestic flights. Hawa Mahal is a very popular tourist attraction and is well connected with all the transport systems and one can reach by means of buses, taxis cabs, and even autorickshaws.