Hawa Mahal: The Palace of Winds in Jaipur
Palaces are abundant in India and especially in the state of Rajasthan. Being a historical state with a glorious past, the state offers some of the most stunning structures that will always be a primary source of knowledge and inspiration for the people, apart from being a beautiful sample of architectural excellence. One of the many palaces that stimulate the visual senses of a visitor is the Hawa Mahal of Jaipur.
Location
Built within the city limits, the Hawa Mahal is a constituent of the City Palace. It now stands in the downtown of modern day Jaipur city.
History
The city of Jaipur was built and ruled by an emperor of the Kachwaha Dynasty, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1727. A few decades later, Sawai Pratap Singh, his grandson, took the charge of handling the empire. An architect named Lal Chand Ustad was hired to create a structure that would be an extension to the existing City Palace built by his grandfather. It is said that the design of the palace was made in the shape of a crown as a dedication to Lord Krishna.
The 953 windows of the palace served as an observation deck for the royal women, who were forbidden to reveal their faces and put a cover on it all the time. These windows or jharokha, as they were called, would allow the women to watch the royal processions, routine commotion, and other events and festivals that were held in the market center, just outside the palace. On days when the temperature soared high, the Hawa Mahal allowed the royal family to relax within the four walls of the palace and enjoy the cool breeze that these window screens facilitated.
Structure
Hawa Mahal-Jaipur
The entry to the palace is through a large door that leads to the courtyard. Standing here, one can see the Hawa Mahal towards the east side, along with other buildings built inside. Oddly, the entry to the palace is from its backside rather than from the front. The palace stands at a height of 50 feet from its base.
A classic blend of the Mughal and Rajput architectural patterns, the Hawa Mahal rises to five storeys. The first and second floors have an extended terrace on the front, while the three floors above are built in the form of a single room. Each room of the palace has been built with marble of varied colors, thus giving a different identity. To reach to the upper floors, one has to walk on the ramps, as there are no stairs that lead up.
When watched from a closer distance, the palace, made out of red and pink sand stone, exhibits astoundingly pleasing design of the miniature windows, each equipped with carved glasses and grills. The facade of the palace is as unique as the window, while at the back side of the building, chambers have been built in order to fulfill any circumstantial requirements of the residents. The red and pink sandstone symbolizes the city of Jaipur or the Pink City, as other historical monuments do. The exterior walls are characterized by extensive outlining and the motifs juxtaposed symmetrically.
The distinguishing features of the palace also include the canopies, filigree work, fluted pillars, arches and the patterns of flowers. Standing in the middle of the city now, the palace offers the visitors an unmatched view of the city from its zenith. What is surprising is that the palace although seamlessly enchanting, is no more than a foot in thickness. While the grandeur of the palace is unobjectionable, it is considered to be more of a resort than a normal residence.
What to See
When you visit the Hawa Mahal, make it a point to watch it at the time the sun rises and showers its glow upon the historical palace. The palace reflects its royalty, as the beads of the rays fall upon and scatter on the facade of the palace.
You can also head to the archaeological museum, which is situated in the courtyard itself. It is operated and maintained by the archaeological department of the state government.
Eat, Drink, Collect
Several eateries around the city ensure that your visit becomes more delightful with the local cuisines served in a traditional manner. Various pubs and bars in the area keep you entertained while serving alcoholic drinks and food along. The outlets closest to the Hawa Mahal are Raj Laxmi Hotel, Kailash Restaurant, Buggagar Restaurant, Jai Mata Di Restaurant, etc.
Other famous outlets in the city include The Forresta Kitchen and Bar, Nagpal’s Chaap Restaurant, Barbeque Nation, Mahar Haveli, Pindi Restaurant, Umaid Bhavan Roof Top Restaurant, Albert’s 1589, The Terrace Grill, etc. The hotels closest to the palace are Alsisar Haveli, Laxmi Palace, Suryaa Villa, Hotel H.R. Palace, Umaid Mahal, Hotel Kalyan, Hotel Hayat Rabbani, etc.
Best Time to Visit
The palace is open from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm every day. The best time to visit the palace and the city of Jaipur is in the winter season, i.e., from October to March. The weather in these months is cool and pleasant and thus it will become easy for you to explore the city without sweating much, which is normal during the summer season, as the temperature soars very high.
How to Reach
Jaipur or the Pink City is the largest city of the state and serves as the capital as well. Due to the ever increasing footfalls of the tourists from different nook and corners of the world, the transport authorities have taken care to keep it well connected with other parts of the state, country and the world so that the tourists are easily able to access this city and its offerings. The international airport of Jaipur is located at a distance of 13 kilometres from the city. It gives aerial connectivity to various parts of India and some foreign destinations as well.
The city is a part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, which covers Delhi and Agra. Regular, air-conditioned buses and government run buses make it easier for the tourists from the neighboring states to come to the Pink City. Within the city, a lot of taxis and auto-rickshaws serve the travelers who can opt for either of the transport means to commute to various parts of the city.
The railways station of the city is connected to the major metro stations of India and several other stations due to which the tourists from far off stations find it easy to reach here in a day or two. A visit to the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds is definitely a mesmerizing experience for all those who have a penchant for history and all its offerings.
Location
Built within the city limits, the Hawa Mahal is a constituent of the City Palace. It now stands in the downtown of modern day Jaipur city.
History
The city of Jaipur was built and ruled by an emperor of the Kachwaha Dynasty, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1727. A few decades later, Sawai Pratap Singh, his grandson, took the charge of handling the empire. An architect named Lal Chand Ustad was hired to create a structure that would be an extension to the existing City Palace built by his grandfather. It is said that the design of the palace was made in the shape of a crown as a dedication to Lord Krishna.
The 953 windows of the palace served as an observation deck for the royal women, who were forbidden to reveal their faces and put a cover on it all the time. These windows or jharokha, as they were called, would allow the women to watch the royal processions, routine commotion, and other events and festivals that were held in the market center, just outside the palace. On days when the temperature soared high, the Hawa Mahal allowed the royal family to relax within the four walls of the palace and enjoy the cool breeze that these window screens facilitated.
Structure
Hawa Mahal-Jaipur
The entry to the palace is through a large door that leads to the courtyard. Standing here, one can see the Hawa Mahal towards the east side, along with other buildings built inside. Oddly, the entry to the palace is from its backside rather than from the front. The palace stands at a height of 50 feet from its base.
A classic blend of the Mughal and Rajput architectural patterns, the Hawa Mahal rises to five storeys. The first and second floors have an extended terrace on the front, while the three floors above are built in the form of a single room. Each room of the palace has been built with marble of varied colors, thus giving a different identity. To reach to the upper floors, one has to walk on the ramps, as there are no stairs that lead up.
When watched from a closer distance, the palace, made out of red and pink sand stone, exhibits astoundingly pleasing design of the miniature windows, each equipped with carved glasses and grills. The facade of the palace is as unique as the window, while at the back side of the building, chambers have been built in order to fulfill any circumstantial requirements of the residents. The red and pink sandstone symbolizes the city of Jaipur or the Pink City, as other historical monuments do. The exterior walls are characterized by extensive outlining and the motifs juxtaposed symmetrically.
The distinguishing features of the palace also include the canopies, filigree work, fluted pillars, arches and the patterns of flowers. Standing in the middle of the city now, the palace offers the visitors an unmatched view of the city from its zenith. What is surprising is that the palace although seamlessly enchanting, is no more than a foot in thickness. While the grandeur of the palace is unobjectionable, it is considered to be more of a resort than a normal residence.
What to See
When you visit the Hawa Mahal, make it a point to watch it at the time the sun rises and showers its glow upon the historical palace. The palace reflects its royalty, as the beads of the rays fall upon and scatter on the facade of the palace.
You can also head to the archaeological museum, which is situated in the courtyard itself. It is operated and maintained by the archaeological department of the state government.
Eat, Drink, Collect
Several eateries around the city ensure that your visit becomes more delightful with the local cuisines served in a traditional manner. Various pubs and bars in the area keep you entertained while serving alcoholic drinks and food along. The outlets closest to the Hawa Mahal are Raj Laxmi Hotel, Kailash Restaurant, Buggagar Restaurant, Jai Mata Di Restaurant, etc.
Other famous outlets in the city include The Forresta Kitchen and Bar, Nagpal’s Chaap Restaurant, Barbeque Nation, Mahar Haveli, Pindi Restaurant, Umaid Bhavan Roof Top Restaurant, Albert’s 1589, The Terrace Grill, etc. The hotels closest to the palace are Alsisar Haveli, Laxmi Palace, Suryaa Villa, Hotel H.R. Palace, Umaid Mahal, Hotel Kalyan, Hotel Hayat Rabbani, etc.
Best Time to Visit
The palace is open from 09:00 am to 05:00 pm every day. The best time to visit the palace and the city of Jaipur is in the winter season, i.e., from October to March. The weather in these months is cool and pleasant and thus it will become easy for you to explore the city without sweating much, which is normal during the summer season, as the temperature soars very high.
How to Reach
Jaipur or the Pink City is the largest city of the state and serves as the capital as well. Due to the ever increasing footfalls of the tourists from different nook and corners of the world, the transport authorities have taken care to keep it well connected with other parts of the state, country and the world so that the tourists are easily able to access this city and its offerings. The international airport of Jaipur is located at a distance of 13 kilometres from the city. It gives aerial connectivity to various parts of India and some foreign destinations as well.
The city is a part of the Golden Triangle tourist circuit, which covers Delhi and Agra. Regular, air-conditioned buses and government run buses make it easier for the tourists from the neighboring states to come to the Pink City. Within the city, a lot of taxis and auto-rickshaws serve the travelers who can opt for either of the transport means to commute to various parts of the city.
The railways station of the city is connected to the major metro stations of India and several other stations due to which the tourists from far off stations find it easy to reach here in a day or two. A visit to the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds is definitely a mesmerizing experience for all those who have a penchant for history and all its offerings.
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