About Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds, is a five-storey palace in Jaipur built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Constructed from red and pink sandstone, it features 953 small windows called jharokhas arranged in a honeycomb pattern. The palace was designed to allow royal women to observe street life while maintaining privacy under the purdah system. It stands as an iconic landmark blending Rajput and Mughal architectural styles.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore the five-storey structure through ramps rather than stairs, viewing intricate latticework and jharokhas. The interior chambers and courtyards showcase Rajput-Mughal architecture with domes, canopies, and fluted pillars. Visitors can see views of the Johari Bazaar through the ornate windows and explore connected passages to the City Palace complex.
Key highlights
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953 intricately carved jharokha windows in honeycomb facade
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Five-storey pyramid-shaped structure without foundation
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Natural ventilation system keeping interior cool
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Blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles
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Views of street life and festivals from upper floors
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Connected passage to City Palace complex
History of Hawa Mahal
Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who founded Jaipur. Designed by architect Lal Chand Ustad, the palace was constructed as an extension of the City Palace zenana (women's quarters). It is the tallest building in the world built without a foundation, leaning at an 87-degree angle.
Culture & Context
The palace represents the purdah system where royal women observed street festivals and daily life without being seen. The structure is dedicated to Lord Krishna, with its crown-like shape resembling his crown. It demonstrates harmonious fusion of Hindu Rajput and Islamic Mughal architectural traditions.
Route
| By air |
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