About Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds

Hawa Mahal is magnificent with 953 jharokhas constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. The structure resembles the honeycomb of a beehive which is intricate latticework and is of historical significance. The purpose of the building was for the royal ladies to observe everyday life and the festivals celebrated in the street below without being visible to others as they had to follow strict rules of wearing purdah. The architectural feature allowed cool air to pass through the whole area, making it pleasant owing to the high temperatures in summer.

The Hawa Mahal is a palace in Jaipur also named as the Palace of the Breeze because of its architecturally brilliant structure that lets continuous breezes flow through the windows 24 hours and to keeps the palace cool in summer.

Hawa Mahal is striking in its construction. It has five unique storeys made of red and pink sandstone. With over 953 windows and intricate latticework, the palace looks like a big honeycomb. Although beautiful, the windows and lattice had another function, It was designed so that the female members of the royal family could look onto the street and observe daily life and festivals. The rules of “purdah” prohibited them from showing themselves in public, without covering their faces. Tourists may think that the view from the street is the front of the palace, but the windows and lattice are at the back.

Hawa Mahal isn’t just famous for its beauty. It is also the tallest building in the world without a foundation. Five storeys can only remain to stand because the building is curve-shaped. An architectural feat, the Hawa Mahal is a unique structural identity in India.

Must See

  • Red and pink sandstone
  • Windows called jharokhas
  • Latticework
  • The honeycomb structure
  •  overall splendid architecture

How to reach

Hawa Mahal from city centre can be reached in 20 minutes by walk.

By Bus

Bus route number Mini34, AC1 & 3 runs on this route.

By Car

It takes about 5 minutes to reach.

By Foot

Walking distance of about 1.5 km to the place.

Tips

  • The best time to visit Hawa Mahal is early in the day as the visitors can have a peaceful glimpse of the place when it is less crowded
  • Carry water bottles and wear hats to combat the heat.
  • Wear comfortable shoes as you may need to walk a lot.
  • It was basically made for Rajput women.
  • A large museum with weapons, antiques, and different things of Rajput royals is also a must-see.
  • Visitors need to pay camera charges of 10 Rs for Indians and 30 Rs for Foreigners.
  • Hire a local guide to learn about exact historical events.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes
  • The museum is closed on Friday, the visitors can plan accordingly on other days so that they do not miss out on the museum
  • The visitors should be careful while walking as they have low walls, they should follow the instructions

Visit Time

 Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Monday: 9:30  a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

 

Time Icon

Waiting Time

No wait time

 

Entrance Fee Icon

Entrance Fee

Yes

Adults: Rs. 200 per person for foreigners

            Rs 50 per person for Indians

Read more

 

Time you can spend Icon

Time you can spend

1 to 2 hours

 

Weather Icon

Weather

Haze 31.62°C

 

Local Services in Jaipur (Contact directly)

Discussion

No threads yet!

Be the first one to start a thread.

Top Attractions in Jaipur

Top Cities in India