Hawa Mahal, JaipurNo trip to Jaipur is complete if you haven’t seen the majestic Hawa Mahal, the grand ‘Palace of the Winds’. Shaped after Lord Krishna’s crown, with 953 ornate windows or ‘Jharokhas’ and its pyramid shaped facade, the Sheesh Mahal is considered the pinnacle of Rajputana architecture.

Bang in the heart of the Pink City, this stunningly beautiful five-storey palace was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who belonged to Kachhwaha Rajput dynasty. Lal Chand Ustad was the chief architect of this red and pink sandstone marvel.

Hawa Mahal was created to provide the royal women a bird’s-eye view of the everyday life through the windows, as they never appeared in public. Read further to know more about Hawa Mahal, its history, architecture and its visiting hours.

History of Hawa Mahal

Covered balcony, Hawa Mahal

Legendary Kachhwaha ruler, Sawai Pratap Singh, the grandson of Sawai Jai Singh (the founder of Jaipur) constructed Hawa Mahal in 1799 as an extension of the Royal City Palace. An ardent devotee of Krishna, he envisioned the palace in the shape of his deity’s crown.


According to the historical account, the Rajput royal women of those times did not appear in public or in front of strangers. This deprived them from being witness to the various day-to-day events and royal processions occurring on the streets. Hawa Mahal, with its windows and screened balconies, was built to give them a panoramic view of the day-to-day life of the city.

Architecture of Hawa Mahal

The Hawa Mahal rises 50 feet from its base. Modelled like a beehive castle, it is erected on a thin shield or podium and has walls less than a foot thick. Built with fine red and pink sandstone, the palace’s Carved red and pink, Hawa Mahalwindows enable free circulation of air within the structure. Hence the name- Hawa Mahal. The entrance leads to a spacious courtyard. Three two-storeys buildings border the courtyard. The top three storeys of the palace have the thickness of a single room while the remaining two have courtyards. The interiors are stark and plain and are dotted with passages and pillars which lead to the top storey. Another unique feature of Hawa Mahal is the use of ramps, instead of stairs. The monument also houses an archaeological museum.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Numerous exciting tourist attractions surround the Hawa Mahal. Jantar Mantar, Govind Devji temple, Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Ram Niwas Bagh, BM Birla Planetarium, Jain Temple, Statue Circle, and Sisodia Rani Garden are some of the prominent tourist attractions in the vicinity of the Hawa Mahal.

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