HAWA MAHAL
INTRODUCTION
 Hawa
Mahal or the "Palace of Wind" is situated in the
Pink City Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state. Hawa Mahal
is Jaipur’s exotic pink monument which offers a fabulous
view of the city, its beautiful architecture, and markets
and on the whole, life outside the palace. Hawa Mahal is a
multi layered palace, which was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap
Singh in the year 1799. The magnificent five storeyed palace
overlooking one of the main streets of Jaipur, was originally
built for the women, so that they can watch the activities
taking place is in the nearby market and surrounding streets.
The palace offer splendour views of the pink city, including
the old palaces and pink-painted houses. People, who climb
up to the balconies of Hawa Mahal, are almost swept away by
the cool breeze.
LEGEND
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh commissioned Lal Chand Usta as
the chief architect who designed the Hawa Mahal for a specific
purpose. The idea behind the construction of this delicate
looking monument was to create a platform for the ladies of
the royal household to observe and enjoy the on-goings of
the busy bazaars and street below, without being noticed by
commoners. Constructed in 1799, the Hawa Mahal is a five-storied
structure that has no steps but ramps that lead to tiny cocoons
from where the ladies of the regal family could see what was
going on in the city.
DESCRIPTION
The five storey palace designed by Lal Chand Usta, is famous
for its beehive like struture. The Hawa Mahal is a finest
example of the Rajputana architecture, which was greatly influenced
by Mughal architectural style. The palace built of red and
pink sand stone, is carefully and intricately outlined with
white borders and motifs. The pyramid shaped structure is
made up of 953 small casements, each with small lattice work
pink windows, small balconies and nicely carved arched roofs.
The interior of the building in not properly ornated. The
chambers are plain, with more mass of pillars and passages
lead to the top storey.
The Palace has its entrance from the rare side of the main
building, through a stately door. It has not the entry from
front portion, like the conventional buildings. The entrance
opens onto a spacious courtyard, which is surrounded from
three sides by a double-storeyed building. A small archaeological
museum is situated here. On the eastern wing there are three
more storeys, which is just one room wide. The building stands
on a high podium, which give this palace its unique facade.
There are no regular stairs to reach the upper floors, but
only ramps.
HOW TO REACH
Air- The nearest airport is Jaipur Airport,
Sanganer which is at a distance of 11 km from where regular
flights connect Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major
destinations of India.
Rail- Trains are available from all the
major parts of India. The luxury train the "Palace
on Wheel" also covers the city.
Road- Jaipur can be accessed from all
the major places in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai
by bus.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
October to February
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