Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Hawa Mahal is also known as the Palace of Wind located in Jaipur. We can use many adjectives to describe this place and one word is not enough because Hawa Mahal leaves you speechless with its absolute beauty and magnificence. This famous spot was built in 1799 by the poet-king whose name is Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Hawa Mahal is one of the top-listed tourist destinations in the state of Rajasthan.

Hawa Mahal is five-storied and the main character is the 953 small windows or jharokhas that are beautifully furnished. Hawa Mahal was specially constructed for the royal ladies so that they can keep a watch over the city and different proceedings from beyond these windows.

It was named Hawa Mahal because the windows of this palace allowed great air circulation which kept the rooms cool all the time. The palace with all its attractions stands in the topmost position in the world.

History and Present Developments

Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who is the grandson of great Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built the Hawa Mahal in 1799. He was so excited with the Khetri Mahal constructed by Maharaja Bhopal Singh in the city of Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan that he planned to build the Hawa Mahal which is now standing as a remarkable jewel of the Rajput style of architecture. It was built to extend the Royal City Palace and guides to the zenana or women’s rooms.

The main reason to construct this amazing Hawa Mahal furnished with fine lattice windows and screened balconies was to provide the facility to the Royal Rajput women that they can get a sight of the everyday events, festivals and royal celebrations on the streets. Otherwise, they would have followed the strict Purdah system and stopped themselves from appearing in public. In this way, they can enjoy freedom while following their customs.

Location

The Hawa Mahal is located at Badi Chaupur that is Big Square, in the walled ancient city in Jaipur.

Tips for the Traveller

• The best time to visit Hawa Mahal, Jaipur is the morning time when you can explore this place peacefully. After some time, the streets get crowded.
• Usually, the museum remains closed on Fridays. So better you plan your trip for the rest of the days so that you will not miss the museum.
• Do wear comfortable shoes as you need to walk a long distance and even need to climb many stairs.
• Walk carefully and follow the safety instructions as there are many low walls.
• Carry the water bottles along with you.

Things to Do

Of course, the one thing you can enjoy in the city of Jaipur is shopping. Shop at the various shops and stalls which are closer and buy handicrafts, clothes, footwear, memorabilia, bags, jewelry and many more up to your satisfaction. Go for bargaining as well.

As you know that Hawa Mahal consists of so many windows , you can enjoy the fresh air coming from outside.

Enjoy the coffee from the cafe right in front of the palace and get refreshed.

Click out many pictures of this stunning complex for an unforgettable journey. Climb to the top to get the best views.

During night time, you can enjoy the awesome musical show where best folk songs and music are played by folk musicians.

You can take a brief look at the beautiful architecture of the era.

Nearby Restaurants

• Kulfi Centre
• Art Café
• Karnot Mahal
• Rajwada Restaurant
• Midtown Muti-Cuisine Restaurant
• Jain Patang Udyog
• Venus Continental Restaurant

Opening Hours

The opening time to explore in this beautiful palace is 9.30 am to 4.30 pm.

Entrance Fees

Entry Fees: the charge for Indians is Rs. 20 and for foreigners, the cost is Rs. 50. You can even get the facility to buy a composite ticket which will be valid for two days. The charge is Rs. 300 for the Indians and Rs. 1000 for foreign tourists. With the help of this ticket, you can combine your visit to other closest attractions.

Camera Charges: Indians will be charged Rs. 10 for photography and foreigners have to pay Rs. 30.

The Guides Which are Available

Guides are made available to you on your request only. A fixed payment is charged by these local guides. For the reason that it’s the architecture of Hawa Mahal that excites you, there is no need to search a guide at all. Just take a walk around and appreciate the craftsmanship.

Required Time for the Exploration

The duration which you need to completely explore this famous Hawa Mahal is 1-2 hours.

Perfect time to Visit

The best time to visit Hawa Mahal, Jaipur is from September to February.

How to Reach

Hawa Mahal is situated in the heart of the beautiful pink city of Jaipur in Rajasthan. This city is well connected with other cities of India by air, rail and road and also connected with some international cities by air. The Jaipur International Airport is located in Sanganer which is a southern suburb of about 13 km away from Jaipur.

Nearby Attractions

• Jantar Mantar
• Govind Ji Temple
• Chand Pol
• Ram Nivas Garden
• City Palace
• Santoshi Mata Mandir
• Chokni Dhani Village
• Amber Fort
• Jal Mahal
• Tejaji Mandir

Conclusion

Though each palace and fort in Rajasthan creates a breathtaking admiration in you, Hawa Mahal is something different. It is a spectacular marvel covering its magnificent architecture and the skills which is a beautiful contribution to its construction. You will get the best sight from outside because this is the way you can admire its vastness and imperialism. Not only admiration but also remains symbolic in many ways. During the reign of kings, the common people only get a quick look into the magnificent palaces by staying outside. Hawa Mahal is included in such structures. Such a beautiful palace famous for many architectural monuments, historical places and ancient temples attracts many visitors to explore and make their trip memorable.