Hawa Mahal

Introduction:
Hawa Mahal, one of the most remarkable monuments of “Pink city of Rajasthan”, was built by Maharajah Sawai Pratap Singh in the year 1799. This alluring monument of Jaipur is constructed to the west of the City Palace complex.

Lal Chand Usta, a famed architecture of erstwhile era has designed this unique structure. Hawa Mahal was constructed to enable the ladies of the royal family to witness the daily activities and colorful processions over the main street of buzzing old city of Jaipur while remaining in purdah.

Architectural Significance Of Hawa Mahal:
Hawa Mahal is indeed a brilliant architectural masterpiece of yesteryears. This magnificent monument has a different style of architecture which is unmatched to any other monuments of our country. It is constructed in such a way that it looks like a crown of Lord Krishna.

Made up of red and pink sandstone and highlighted with white quick lime, Hawa Mahal is a five storey,

honey-combed structure monument, influenced by the traditional Rajputana artistry and Mughal style of architecture. It has a very unusual architectural design, due to which it looks like a screen form outside, having tier after tier of 953 small casements, each with tiny windows, small balconies and arched roofs.

These small windows of the palace facilitates in the circulation of cool breeze even in summer season. Due to which it is known as Hawa Mahal or Wind Palace of Jaipur.

Hawa Mahal is a fifty foot high thin shield, having one foot thickness, mass of semi-octagonal bays ,

carved sand stone grills finials and domes which give this palace its unique facade. The top three stories of Hawa mahal are just single room thick but at the base there are two courtyards.

It is evident from the architectural design of Hawa Mahal that this palace was not at all built for residential purpose. You would be amazed to see that there is complete absence of ornamentation from the rear side of the palace and has plain chambers.

Important Buildings of Hawa Mahal:
One of the important building which is available inside Hawa Mahal is a small archaeological museum.

This museum is called as Hawa Mahal museum and has a good collection of terracotta antiquities, fish hooks, swords, arrow heads, helmets and some valuable articles used by the Maharajahs of Jaipur. This museum was founded in the year 1983 and built behind Hawa Mahal, adjoins to the Pratap mandir.

Things To Do In Hawa Mahal:
Sightseeing Activity: Hawa Mahal is in itself a place of visual delight that when you enter into this magnificent palace you are left speechless. Its a place that provides you a golden opportunity to enjoy a mesmerizing sunrise from any of its tiny windows. At the time of dawn, the golden rays of sun floats beautifully through the windows and converts the entire ambiance into a dream's world .

Hawa Mahal is an ideal place to have an excellent view of Jaipur city as well as bird's eye view of Jantar Mantar.