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Rajasthan –» Forts
& Palaces of Rajasthan –» Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal
Place : Jaipur, Rajasthan
Highlight : Its peculiar Architecture
Best time to visit : October to February
Timings : Open 0900 - 17 hrs.
Built
in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh the 'Hawa Mahal', Palace of the Wind,
is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. It is an integral part of the City
Palace, an extension of the Zenana (women's chambers) standing away from the
main complex. This five storey building of unusual architecture designed by
Lal Chand Usta, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry made of red and pink
sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with
quick lime. The monument with a spectacular view of Jaipur city with road avenues,
intersections and colourful crowds in the market, was originally conceived with
the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life
and royal processions in the city without being seen by others.
Its facade from the road side makes Hawa Mahal look more like a delicate
screen than a palace. This five-story, pyramid-shaped structure has tier after
tier of 953 small casements, each with tiny lattice worked (Jali) pink windows,
small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled
and carved. These small windows circulate cool air (Hawa) even in hot months.
The pyramidal outline is even throughout by cramming and multiplying casements;
and uses repetition of motifs to enhance its beauty.
The
entrance to Hawa Mahal is from the City Palace side, through a stately door
which opens into a spacious courtyard. The courtyard has a double storeyed building
on three sides. There is a small archeological museum here. Only the eastern
wing has three more storeys above, which are just a single room thick. The building,
standing on a high podium, is a fifty-foot high thin shield, less than a foot
in thickness, with small intimate chambers , which give this palace its unique
facade. There are no regular stairs to reach the upper floors, but only ramps.
Hawa Mahal which is currently under the supervision of the State archeological
department provides the visitor with excellent views of the city. The best time
to view Hawa Mahal is sunrise when sunlight through the latticed windows gives
it a wonderful glow.
How to Get There
Air : Jaipur is connected to Delhi (300Km), Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur,
Aurangabad, Calcutta and Varanasi by domestic flights.
Rail : The train service to Jaipur is available from all the major parts
of the country.
Road : Jaipur can be accessed from all the major places in Rajasthan,
Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai by bus.
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