Hawa Mahal: The Palace of Winds That Will Blow Your Mind

Hawa Mahal: Palace of Winds in Jaipur

Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, in Jaipur is one of the most iconic landmarks of the Pink City of India in Rajasthan. It is a palace with 953 windows or jharokhas that let in the cool air and offer a stunning view of the city. The fifth floor of the palace, known as Hawa Mandir, is where the name "Hawa Mahal" comes from.

Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as an extension to the Royal City Palace of Jaipur. The palace is a major attraction in Jaipur and is known for its unique architectural style, which is a blend of Mughal and Rajput styles, and its intricate carvings.

What is Hawa Mahal?

- Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, the palace was designed by Lal Chand Ustad.

- Hawa Mahal is renowned for its unique facade, which resembles a honeycomb and is adorned with 953 small windows, known as jharokhas.

- Constructed using pink sandstone, the palace features a five-story exterior, each floor having a uniquely designed jharokha.

- The design was inspired by the Khetri Mahal in Jhunjhunu, reflecting the Maharaja's devotion to Lord Krishna.

- The jharokhas are intricately designed with latticework, allowing cool air to pass through and providing ventilation.

- Originally built as an extension of the City Palace, it served as a royal retreat for the women of the royal family.

- The jharokhas were used by the royal ladies to observe street processions and festivals without being seen, in adherence to the purdah system.

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Structure Of Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal has five floors, each with a unique name and function.

- 1st Floor (Sharad Mandir): Used for autumn celebrations.

- 2nd Floor (Ratan Mandir): Adorned with glasswork and mirrors.

- 3rd Floor (Vichitra Mandir): Used for worshipping Lord Krishna.

- 4th Floor (Prakash Mandir): Venue for evening light shows.

- 5th Floor (Hawa Mandir): Offers a panoramic view of the city.

953 Jharokhas: Decorated with intricate latticework and domes.

Natural Ventilation: Windows allow cool air circulation, keeping the palace comfortable in summer.

Panoramic View: Jharokhas offer views of the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and Amber Fort.

Museum: Hawa Mahal houses a small museum displaying relics and paintings related to the royal family and Jaipur's history.

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Timings & Entry Fees Of Hawa Mahal

Opening Hours: Hawa Mahal is open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM every day except Friday

Cost of Visit: The entry fee for Indians is ₹50, while for foreign tourists, it is ₹200.

Composite ticket: Rs. 300 for Indians and Rs. 1000 for foreigners

Best Places To Stay Near Hawa Mahal

Photo of Hawa Mahal 4/9 by — (c) Samode Haveli

If you are planning to visit Hawa Mahal, you might want to stay at some of the best places near it. Here are some of the options that you can consider:

Samode Haveli: This is a 175-year-old mansion that was once the residence of the Samode rulers & now converted into a luxury hotel. The hotel also has a spa, a fitness center, a jacuzzi, and a puppet show or a Rajasthani folk performance in the evening.

Trident Jaipur: This is a 5-star hotel offering views of the Mansagar Lake and Jal Mahal. The hotel has 132 airy and well-lit rooms for one to choose from. The hotel also has a spa, a swimming pool, a fitness center, and a kids’ club.

Golden Tulip Essential Jaipur: This is a 4-star hotel that provides its guests with comfortable and spacious rooms with modern amenities. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a coffee shop, and a rooftop terrace.

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Festivals To Enjoy While Visiting Hawa Mahal

Photo of Hawa Mahal 5/9 by — Elephant Festival

There are several cultural events and festivals in Jaipur that coincide with the best time to visit Hawa Mahal (October to March). Some of these include:

Jaipur Literature Festival: Usually held in January, this festival is one of the largest literary festivals in the world, featuring authors, poets, and speakers from around the globe.

Elephant Festival: Celebrated on the day of Holi, usually in March, this festival features elephant parades, cultural performances, and games.

Jaipur International Film Festival: Held in January, this festival showcases a wide range of films from around the world.

Kite Festival: Celebrated on Makar Sankranti in January, this festival sees the skies of Jaipur filled with colorful kites.

Gangaur Festival: Celebrated in March or April, this festival is dedicated to the goddess Gauri and involves colorful processions and cultural performances.

Places To Visit Near Hawa Mahal

Nahargarh Fort: (2 kilometers from Hawa Mahal) Nahargarh Fort offers breathtaking panoramic views of Jaipur city. The historic fort also has a charming café where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

City Palace: (850 meters from Hawa Mahal) City Palace is a splendid blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Explore its opulent courtyards, intricate designs, and royal artifacts. Don’t miss the mesmerizing Peacock Gate and the museum inside.

Jantar Mantar: (700 meters from Hawa Mahal) Jantar Mantar is an ancient astronomical observatory with fascinating geometric instruments. Learn about celestial measurements and witness the world’s largest stone sundial.

Jaipur Zoo: (2 kilometers from Hawa Mahal) Jaipur Zoo houses diverse wildlife, including tigers, leopards, and exotic birds. It’s a great place for families and animal lovers.

Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple): Birla Mandir is a serene white marble temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. The intricate carvings, peaceful ambiance, and city views make it a spiritual and architectural delight.

Best Time To Visit Hawa Mahal

Best Season to Visit: October to March offers pleasant and cool weather, ideal for visiting Hawa Mahal.

Peak Tourist Season: Expect more crowd and higher prices during this time, as it's the peak tourist season in Jaipur.

Off-Season Visit: April to June is less crowded and cheaper, but prepare for hot and dry weather. Carry water and sunscreen.

Monsoon Season Visit: July to September offers humid and rainy weather. It's the off-season, so you can enjoy lower prices and less crowd.

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How To Reach Hawa Mahal

By Road:

Road Connectivity: Hawa Mahal is centrally located in Jaipur, near Badi Chaupad, and easily accessible by road from any part of the city.

Transport Options: You can reach Hawa Mahal by taxi, auto-rickshaw, local bus, or Jaipur Metro, which connects various parts of the city.

By Rail:

Nearest Railway Station: Jaipur Junction is the main railway station, approximately 5 kilometers away from Hawa Mahal.

Travel Time: It takes around 8 to 10 minutes to travel from Jaipur railway station to Hawa Mahal.

By Air:

Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport is the closest airport to Hawa Mahal, about 13 kilometers away.

Airport Connectivity: From the airport, you can take a taxi or pre-booked cab (e.g., Uber) to reach this iconic palace.

Tips For Visiting Hawa Mahal

- Visitors are required to wear appropriate clothing that covers the shoulders and knees, as a mark of respect.

- Photography is allowed inside Hawa Mahal, but it's advisable to check if there are any specific restrictions in certain areas.

- Smoking, eating, and drinking are not permitted inside the palace premises.

- Follow the instructions of the guides and authorities for a safe and enjoyable visit.

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Hawa Mahal Reviews

Nandini Ramesh

417 Followers

View Trip

Did you know that there is more to the Hawa Mahal than its facade? At least until this visit, I did not! The whole structure was constructed to represent the crown of Lord Krishna, the favourite God of the Royals of Jaipur. The seemingly single block structure of the facade represents the jewelled front part of the crown while in the rear it has a courtyard where guests of the erstwhile Kings used to be entertained during Holi celebrations. It is complete with a water bath which has now been converted to a fountain display. On three sides, the courtyard is surrounded by corridors/ assembly areas and on the fourth side (rear of the facade), there are rooms with a purpose. The entry to each level is through a special gateway calledpoland each level is accessed through a ramp. The main reason for constructing the Hawa Mahal was to allow the Royal ladies to view processions while still maintainingpurdah. The entire structure incorporates hundreds ofJharokaswhich provide superb cross-ventilation and air conditioning. The lowest level is where the Royal ladies of bygone times "window shopped". The upper levels house rooms meant for grooming and private religious ceremonies. The last two levels are open to the sky and are called thePrakash Mahalwhich was meant for use during winters when light and warmth were scarce. The monument also includes strategically placed surveillance towers. In addition, a secret passageway connects the Hawa Mahal to the residential area of the City Palace. Quite obviously, the passageway is not accessible to the public. All windows placed in the facade wall offer a semi-panoramic view of the street below. Window panes are coloured to allow for play of light as well as to block views of the bygone royal goings-on from prying eyes.

Aparna Parinam

748 Followers

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Our Jaipur journey began with the landmark of the city, the Hawa Mahal , an imposing structure. The name literally means Palace of winds or Palace of the Breeze. Built 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and designed by Lal Chand Usta it depicts the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. The pyramidal shape combined with the numerous screened windows makes the structure look like a giant honeycomb. This 5 storied stunning semi-octagonal monument has 953 small windows called jharokhas, decorated with intrinsic lattice work and is a fine piece of Rajput architecture. The latticed windows allowed the royal ladies to view the everyday life in the street below from the palace without being seen. The beauty of the Hawa Mahal lies in its fragile appearance, which belies its strength. The interiors are connected by ramps and there are no stairs to reach the upper floors. A unique feature of the building is that it remains cool even during the harsh summers. This is due to the excellent ventilation that allows cool air to freely flow throughout the building. Situated on the main thoroughfare in the heart of Jaipur’s business centre, in the middle of the bustling Johari Bazaar, near the Badi Chaupad (the big square), this palace rises to a height of 50 feet. It is built of red and pink sandstone and forms a part of the City Palace, which was our next stop.

Prafull

95 Followers

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I was tired after traveling overnight 14 hrs bus journey from Jhansi but my excitement took over tiredness. By 11 AM I was ready to explore the pink city. The moment I came out of hotel, 2-3 auto drivers rushed to me and offered me Jaipur sightseeing for one day at 650 rs.I knew that some of places were very near to my hotel, Bani park area. So I ignored all of them and took another running auto, cost me 50 rs to reach Hawa Mahal (Palace of wind) Stylistic and artistic, these were my two words when I saw Hawa Mahal. Designed in the form of the crown of Krishna. Its unique five-storey exterior, similar to the honeycomb of the beehive with its 953 small windows called jharokhas. Hawa Mahal was constructed so that the palace women trapped in purdah, could watch the street life. Entry fee was 10 rs there but I bought one composite entry pass for 70 rs. It was valid for two days and you can use it for visiting 5 places(Amber palace, Jantar Mantar, Albert Hall, Nahargarh fort, Hawa mahal). Interior of Hawa Mahal is artistic but I really liked the exterior. This architecture is showcased whenever Jaipur is talked about on the touring map.

Samir Anand

97 Followers

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My last destination for the 2 day trip was the world famous Hawa Mahal. Hawa Mahal is a five story building that is situated in the heart of the city of Jaipur. It has a beehive like structure and is made of red and pink sand stone lined with white color to make it vibrant. It is pink like the rest of the pink city of Jaipur. The palace has carved and arched small chhatris or dome-shaped pavilions showing the richness of vivid Rajputana architecture. The walls of palace have 953 jharokha or overhanging balconies from where cool and fresh air can pass. The most unique aspect about the palace is the fact that at all times a light breeze passes through it. That is how the palace got its name. Hawa means wind, which is the Palace of Winds.

Manvi Deshwal

73 Followers

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HaWa Mahal : 'Palace Of The Winds'is the major attraction this city..It is located in the heart of the city , it is beautiful five-storey palace built by Maharaja Sawai pratap singh who belonged to Rajput dynasty . The main architect of this palace is believed to have constructed in the form of the crown of Lord Krishna. The main intention behind the construction of the mahal was to facilitate the royal women and and provide them a view of everyday life through windows ,as they never appeared in public. WE loved the architecture, It was designed as a beehive castle with small windows . This palace is actually famous for its windows or 'Jharokas' which enable circulation of air within the structure . We had an excellent view of the city from this palace.