Featured Image By-lensnmatter CC BY- SA 2.0
The Hawa Mahal or the “Palace of Winds” or the “Palace of Breeze” is one of the most visited places of the Pink City, Jaipur. It is located in the city market and thus is visited by many people, be it local or tourists, daily. This five-storeyed building adds beauty to the red and pink architecture of the pink city. There are various unknown facts about this palace, so let’s explore them out here.
Location of the Hawa Mahal-
Hawa Mahal is located in the Badi Chaupad area in the southern part of Jaipur, Rajasthan which is a component of the actual Pink City, and all the buildings and shops around are made in red and pink colored stones. Distances of Jaipur from major cities of the country are- 390 km from Udaipur, 270 km from Delhi, 1069 km from Mumbai, 1475 km from Kolkata, 1877 km from Chennai, and 615 km from Ahmedabad.
This amazing place makes the pride of the Pink City increased four-folds by its prime location in the center or the heart of the city, the Pink City area. It is located in the close proximity of various other attractions of Jaipur like the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and the Radha Krishna Temple.
Also, it seems like a widescreen erected in the main Badi Chaupad market of Jaipur that spreads the vibes of the royal Rajput architecture and culture throughout the city. One can have an awesome view of the market from the top of the Hawa Mahal and vice versa people passing by the market get cheerful as they see this multi-windowed palace.
History of Hawa Mahal–
This impressive monument of the Hawa Mahal was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh at the end of the 18th century. The exact year of completion of this majestic mahal was 1799 AD. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh founded the alluring city of Jaipur and his grandson Sawai Pratap Singh added to the beauty of this city by the construction of this palace.
The idea for making this type of monument struck the ruler after witnessing the classic architecture of the Khetri Mahal of Jhunjhunu, which was built in Shekhawati Architectural Style in the year 1770 by Bhopal Singh. He got amazed by the Khetri Mahal’s creation, so he decided to build a similar palace for him and his queens in the Pink City Jaipur.
Image By-Clément Bardot– CC BY SA 4.0
The designing and architecture of the Hawa Mahal for the king were planned by the famous architect Lal Chand Ustad. He made such a unique creation of fine and intricate artwork that still amaze people by its style. This shows the perfection and planning skills that were prevalent in the architects of that era also.
The builder of this palace, Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh was a true devotee of Lord Krishna so he made it in the shape of Lord Krishna’s curved crown. This curved shape made it possible to stand without a foundation and it became the world’s tallest building without any foundation.
The architecture of Hawa Mahal-
Hawa Mahal is constructed in pink and red sandstone that blends it in a similar Pink City theme and it exhibits a unique mixture of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. It is made in a curved out shape similar to a beehive, which is a unique feature of this monument in Rajasthan.
The main feature of the Hawa Mahal are the 953 windows with kiosks or Jharokas which served as a place for the queens to enjoy and witness the daily proceedings, celebrations, and street processions outside without getting in the sight of others to follow their culture of Pardah or the veiling from people.
Another main purpose of these numerous windows was to allow the flow of cool and fresh air within the palace to create a soothing cold aroma in hot summers when there are high temperatures throughout the day in this desert city of Rajasthan.
Image By- Juan Antonio Segal CC BY- SA 2.0
The Hawa Mahal is a five-storeyed building whose facade rises up to a height of about 15 meters from the ground and is much decorated and beautiful as compared to the plain-looking backyard. The mahal has rooms in the interior part along with a spacious courtyard with a fountain.
It is an extended portion of the City Palace which gives an entrance to this palace into a courtyard with two-storeyed buildings on three sides. Prakash Mandir, Vichitra Mandir, and the Hawa Mandir are single-roomed thick top three storeys of the Hawa Mahal. One can reach these through the ramps that were made for the movement of queens’ palanquins. No stairs are there.
The first and the second floor have the Sharad Mandir and the Ratan Mandir respectively. Both of these have their unique cultural and architectural significances. The celebrations and rituals of Autumn were performed in the Sharad Mandir and the colorful glasswork of Ratan Mandir is worth exploring within the mahal.
Interior Of Hawa Mahal Image By- Vssun CC BY-SA 3.0
A small museum is also situated there that has paintings, artifacts, armors, dresses, and many more items that give a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and the royal lifestyle of the Rajputs.
Timings–
The Hawa Mahal is open for the visitors on all days of a week.
The timings are 9 am to 4:30 pm on all days of a week.
The museum is open from Saturday to Thursday every week.
Fees-
The ticket fee for Indian Visitors is Rs.50.
For students, the fee is Rs. 5 (with valid ID Cards).
You can purchase Composite ticket that grants you access to the following 7 places of Jaipur-
Amber Palace
Jantar Mantar
Hawa Mahal
Albert Hall
Sisodia garden
Vidhyadhar Garden
The price for this Composite ticket is-
Rs. 100 for Indians and Rs.400 for Foreigners
For Indian Students-Rs. 40 and for Foreigner Students- Rs.200.
How to reach Hawa Mahal?
Address-Badi Chaupad, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan
PIN Code-302002
Contact No.- 0141 261 8033
Its distance from Jaipur International Airport is 12 km.
From Jaipur Railway Station it is about 5 km away.
From Sindhi Camp Bus Stand it is about 2.9 km distant.
Jaipur, being the State Capital, is well connected to all parts of Rajasthan.
E-rickshaw facility is available from City Palace to Hawa Mahal in Rs.10.
Hotels Nearby-
There are a number of guest houses, luxury hotels, and resorts near the Hawa Mahal. Some of these are-
Ramada Jaipur Hotel
- Ummaid Vilas
Rambagh Palace Hotel
Samode Haveli Hotel
Iris Jaipur
Holiday Inn Jaipur City Center
Jai Mahal Palace Hotel (Taj Group)
Security There-
Mobile phones are allowed to be taken along with the bags.
There are no extra charges for photography and DSLRs are also allowed to shoot pics.
Car parking is also available on the backside of the complex.
Travel Tip–
The best time to visit the Mahal is in the early morning when the sun enters the rooms from the windows and illuminates the Mahal with its golden light.
The Mahal should be visited between the months of October to March as in other months the heat is much exhausting in Rajasthan.
Taxis and other public transports should be used for avoiding parking problems.
The best view of Jaipur City is seen from the top of the Mahal which is very satisfying after climbing up five floors!
The night view of the Mahal is also very heart touching as the whole Mahal is lit up with decorative lights.
Hawa Mahal at Night Image By- Akky_786 CC BY-SA 4.0
So, have you been to the Hawa Mahal? If yes, do share your experiences here in comments…