Overview of Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

The magnificent palace of Hawa Mahal is located at the intersection of the main road of Badi Chaupat in Jaipur and was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Hawa Mahal gets its name due to its unique structure, a mesh of small windows.

The palace allows cool air to enter so that the palace remains comfortable during summer. The main reason behind the construction of the palace was to allow the women of the royal family to watch the ceremonies on the street, which cannot be seen outside.

It is located on the side of the City Palace of Jaipur and is connected to the ‘Zenana’ on the right side.

The Hawa Mahal is a structure made of red and pink stones and has a pyramidal structure that almost looks like a crown. It is decorated with 953 small windows, also called ‘Jarogas’ and is decorated with latticework.

From the inside, the Hawa Mahal Palace has five floors, each of which has a decorated room. A beautiful fountain welcomes you to the main palace, from where you can go up to the different floors. The top of the palace offers a beautiful view of the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and the crowded Siriori Bazaar.

There is a small museum here which houses some rich and small paintings.

  • Timings: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
  • Entry Fee: Indians: INR 50 per person
  • Foreign Tourists: INR 200 per person

Also Read: 3 Royal Forts in Jaipur are Worth Visiting

History of Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as an extension of the Royal City Palace and was designed by Lal Chand Ustad in the shape of Krishna’s crown. The Rajputs at that time followed the purdah system and the royal women did not appear in public.

The Hawa Mahal was built with small windows and screened balconies to give the women the freedom to watch the daily events.

Also Read: 8 Interesting Facts about the Taj Mahal that Will Blow Your Mind

Architecture of Hawa Mahal Jaipur

The building is called Hawa Mahal because of its structure. It is a unique five-storey palace that looks like a honeycomb with 953 small windows called jarogas, and these windows let the breeze in and help cool the palace.

Hawa Mahal is the tallest building in the world without a foundation and because it doesn’t have one, the palace is tilted at an angle of 87 degrees. Hawa Mahal is located 15 meters above the ground and has a small space with small windows and sandstone grills. The house does not have stairs and you have to climb a ramp to get up.

To enter the palace, you have to pass through the Imperial Gate located on the left side of the building. It leads to a large courtyard with three two-storey buildings on its left, right, and center. The top three floors of Hawa Mahal are just one wide room, while the first and second floors have a courtyard in front.

The rooms are decorated with colored mirrors, beautiful bricks, and ‘chhatris’ which are a part of traditional Rajasthani architecture.

Shopping at Hawa Mahal

There are many small shops outside the palace grounds where you can buy various souvenirs and everyday items. This large shopping area known as Badi Chaubal or Manek Chowk is the main hub of the city.

Traditional clothes, jewelry, showpieces, mugs, traditional shoes or ‘juttis’, key rings, and many other items are easily available here. Jaipur printed fabrics, sarees, jewelry, handicrafts, Rajasthani furniture, and antiques can also be purchased here.

Many vendors also sell snacks like golkappas, bhelpuri, samosas, and kachoris. The restaurant is opposite Hawa Mahal which offers a beautiful view of the palace.