Hawa Mahal in Jaipur

The famous Palace of Winds "or Hawa Mahal is one of the main tourist attractions of Jaipur. Located in the heart of Jaipur, this magnificent five-storey palace was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, who belonged to the Rajput dynasty Kachhwaha. The chief architect of this palace built in red and pink sandstone, is Ustad Lal Chand and the palace is believed to have been built in the shape of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. Considered an embodiment of the Rajputana architecture, the main highlight of Hawa Mahal is a pyramid shape and its 953 windows' Jharokhas "that are decorated with intricate designs. The main intention behind the construction of the Mahal was to facilitate the royal women and provide insight into everyday life through the windows, as it has never appeared in public. Read on to learn more about the Hawa Mahal, its history, its architecture and its opening hours.

It was in 1799 that the little child-leader Kachhwaha Rajput, Sawai Pratap Singh Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who built Jaipur, Hawa Mahal was built as a continuation of the Royal City Palace. The dedication of Sawai Pratap Singh to Lord Krishna is evident in the construction of the palace, as it resembles the crown of the Lord. Although many reasons were cited behind the construction of the fort, said the purdah system followed by the Rajputs to be a major cause. During these days, the women of the Rajput kingdom does not appear in public or in front of strangers. However, they were willing to follow the daily events and royal processions that take place in the streets. It is their intention that the Hawa Mahal was built with small windows and screened balconies. This gave women a sense of freedom without appearing in public.