Popular as the “Palace of Winds”, Hawa Mahal is a remarkable sightseeing destination, famous for its rich past and cultural heritage in the Pink City – Jaipur. Keep scrolling to read the full travel guide.
Table of Contents
- About Hawa Mahal
- Guide to cover Hawa Mahal
- How to plan a trip to Hawa Mahal
- Hotels and Resorts near Hawa Mahal
About Hawa Mahal
Located in the heart of the majestic Jaipur city, Hawa Mahal is a notable landmark famous for its vibrant cultural and magnificent architectural history. Moreover, with a glorious history of more than 200 years, the palace is the most alluring monument in Jaipur. This majestic building, constructed in the late 17th century by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of the Kachhwaha Rajput kingdom. It is predominantly a tall mesh wall created of pink and red sandstone for royal queens to glimpse the lively street festivals.
When speaking of the construction, Hawa Mahal comprises five floors with uniquely ornamented enclosures. And the top of this beautiful palace presents a mesmerising panorama of the famous Jantar Mantar, City Palace, and the ever-bustling Sireh Deori Bazaar. Read on to learn more about the comprehensive travel guide Hawa Mahal and other relevant information about this historic palace.
History
Hawa Mahal was constructed in the late 17th century by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, a famous Kachhwaha Rajput ruler. In addition, when the maharaja noticed the design of the Khetri Mahal in the Jhunjhunu district in Rajasthan, he was greatly impressed. He decided to construct a similar model of this palace. The famous architect of that era, Lal Chand Ustad, developed this five-storied building to serve as an extended wing to the City Palace.
Also, Hawa Mahal opens to the women’s enclosures from the City Palace’s boundary, which are known as aska zenana. Moreover, the palace comprised 953 tiny windows embellished with latticework, known as Jharokhas. These windows were used by the royal queens who religiously followed the Parda custom to glimpse the day-to-day movements and celebrations on the street.
Hawa Mahal Architecture
The magnificent palace in Jaipur features an impressive combination of Rajput. Mughal and Islamic style architecture. The gloriously domed ceilings, lotus motifs, engraved pillars, and floral wall designs make it a scenic architectural wonder.
Complementing these elements is the latticework in stone and graceful arcs inspired by the Islamic style of architecture. And constructed in pink and red sandstone, this glorious monument features a pyramidal structure with windows boasting a honeycombed hive look.
Also, given the palace’s unique latticework on the windows, Hawa Mahal experiences a cooling effect that keeps the palace cool. Besides, palace’s interiors include pillared enclosures, delicate hanging cornices, and minimally decorated corridors extending to the top floor. Verandas beautify the front part, and various beautiful fountains are in the centre of the palace’s courtyard.
Interesting Facts
- Hawa Mahal was constructed in the form of the crown of Lord Krishna as King Swaraj Pratap Singh was an ardent proponent of Lord Krishna.
- The palace was the most cherished holiday resort of Maharaja Jai Singh, who loved the palace for its cooling effect and embellished interiors.
- The palace was built for the royal queens so that they could witness celebrations or other daily actions happening on the lanes without being noticed by anyone.
- No stairs are available in the palace to reach the top floors. Instead, the palace contained ramps that made it seamless for the soldiers to carry the palanquins of Rajput royal ladies.
- Each floor in Hawa Mahal has a separate temple, with Sharad Mandir on the first floor and Ratan Mandir on the second floor. In addition, Prakash Mandir, Vichitra Mandir, and Hawa Mandir beautify the top three floors.
Comprehensive guide to cover Hawa Mahal
In recent times, a visit to the majestic palace is one of Jaipur’s most enjoyable scenic attractions, given its stunning architectural beauty and vibrant history. Moreover, built with superior craftsmanship, this beautiful fort will amaze you with its remarkable brilliance. Click here to read a Jaipur comprehensive travel guide. Here are some exciting things to do in here.
Things to do in Hawa Mahal
- Witness the Kaleidoscopic effect of scenic Ratan Mandir: Termed after the multi-coloured, sparkling glass interiors, Ratan Mandir is unquestionably a treat to the eyes. Also, the dark corners of this temple. The dark corners direct the sun’s rays, painting a bright reflection around the third and fourth floors, making it a sight to behold.
- Unwind near the mesmerising Jharokhas: A perfect combination of Mughal and Rajput-style architecture, Hawa Mahal holds 953 small windows (Jharokhas), giving the palace the most panoramic views along with a chilling breeze of fresh air. In addition, this beautiful view from the enormous emerald courtyard, arched ceilings, and ornamental fountains will make you fall in love with the brilliant craftsmanship.
Things to do in Hawa Mahal with friends
- Marvel at the city’s sheer grandeur from the fort: The Hawa Mandir, located on the palace’s top floor, earned it its name – Hawa Mahal. So when exploring the palace with your friends, don’t forget to move to the top floor. This is where you can witness the magnificent beauty of Jaipur city unfurl from here. While the day view is panoramic too, the best time to visit this spot is during the evening when the entire city lights up, and the sight looks simply breathtaking.
- Visit the palace’s scenic attractions: Tour the entire palace for a glimpse of the royal gardens, intricate architecture. The mesmerising fountains and wall carvings beautify this ancient monument. Also, when touring this place, don’t forget to look at the beautiful temples on every floor.
Things to do in Hawa Mahal with family
- Witness the historic Rajputi museum: If you are a history enthusiast, you cannot miss visiting the famous Rajputi museum located within the complex. Furthermore, open for sightseers from Saturday to Thursday, this well-known museum is undoubtedly a jewel to the ornamental crown of Hawa Mahal. And offering a glimpse of the vibrant Rajputi culture, this museum exhibits terracotta antiquities, miniature paintings, swords, formal armour, and other belongings of the Maharajas of Jaipur.
Places to visit near Hawa Mahal
- City Palace: Situated in the centre of the vibrant Pink city, the glorious City Palace is one of Jaipur’s most impressive sightseeing attractions. The magnificent architecture of this palace is an exquisite combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Moreover, fine artwork and stunning engravings offer this place a distinguishable magnificence. Every element of the City Palace echoes Rajputana’s glory. It is decorated with lush gardens, majestic halls, courtyards, royal residences, and scenic art museums.
- Jantar Mantar: Another famous sightseeing place you can explore near Hawa Mahal is Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar is a renowned astronomical tower that dates back to the mid 17th century and was constructed under the kingdom of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. This majestic monument accommodates the world’s biggest sundial constructed out of stone and other beautiful astronomical instruments.
- Chokhi Dhani: Chokhi Dhani near the palace offers an amazing glimpse of Rajasthan’s rural life and traditional culture in all its vibrancy. A famous ethnic village resort, travellers at Chokhi Dhani can enjoy authentic Rajasthani food, puppet shows, folk music, dance performances, arts and crafts, magic shows, and lots more.
Hawa Mahal opening time
Hawa Mahal remains open to tourists from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. And the Hawa Mahal entry fee is INR 50 for Indian sightseers and INR 200 for foreign nationals.
Best time to visit Hawa Mahal
The most suitable time to visit Hawa Mahal is from November to March, as the weather remains pleasant, making it an ideal time for sightseeing. In addition, summers in Jaipur are excessively hot, which makes sightseeing a less joyful experience. On the other hand, Monsoons are relatively hot and humid, which isn’t a perfect time to visit the city either.
How to reach?
As sightseers across the globe visit Jaipur, the transportation here is exceptionally good. Moreover, Jaipur (Sanganer) Airport, railway station, and road routes remain well-linked to prominent cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and other major cities. Here are some main ways to reach Hawa Mahal in Jaipur.
- By Air
The Sanganer airport in Jaipur is 13 km from the city centre. It presents one of the best flight connectivity in India. Moreover, the Sanganer airport remains well connected to the prominent cities of India and abroad, with several airlines running regularly. And upon reaching the city Jaipur airport, you can hire a cab to reach your sightseeing destination.
- By Road
The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) operates deluxe and luxury buses between Jaipur and other cities within Rajasthan. Also, recurring bus services are available from cities like Kota, New Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Ajmer at affordable fares. You can book a cab in Jaipur to travel comfortably.
- By Rail
Jaipur remains well linked by rail network to all parts of India. Several express trains run between Jaipur and other prominent cities. In addition, trains like the Shatabdi Express links Jaipur to almost all major cities in the country.
Hotels and Resorts near Hawa Mahal
| Hotel Name | Address |
| Hotel The Omaira | HE313, Janak Marg, Hanuman Nagar Extension, Jaipur| Phone: 098290 88880 |
| The Oberoi Rajvilas Jaipur | VVFP+W32, Babaji Ka Modh, Goner Rd, Prem Nagar, Jaipur| Phone: 0141 268 0101 |
| Taj Rambagh Palace | VRX5+66Q, Bhawani Singh Rd, Rambagh, Jaipur| Phone: 0141 667 1234 |
| Royal Heritage Haveli | Plot No. 116 & 117, Near Khatipura Tiraya, Khatipura, Jaipur| Phone: 099833 17271 |
In a nutshell, Hawa Mahal in Jaipur is a scenic architectural wonder that attracts plenty of sightseers. So next time you plan a visit to the glorious Pink City with your family or friends, don’t forget to visit this beautiful historical monument. Witness the magnificence of Hawa Mahal by booking a car rental to take you to your destination with a local driver. Install the Savaari cab booking app for offers and discounts on outstation rentals.
Last Updated on December 1, 2022 by Shabari Shankar
