Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Maharaja
Sawraj Pratap Singh, built Hawa Mahal, or the palace of winds in 1799,
to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and
processions of the city. You can climb to the top of the Hawa Mahal for
an excellent view over the city. Though, now its more than a facade. The
monument with a spectacular view of Jaipur city with road avenues,
intersections and colourful crowds in the market.
It was originally built for the ladies of the royal household to watch
everyday life and processions in the city from their veiled comfort.
Most people come here to get a view of the facade but they can also
climb to the top for a wonderful view from the latticed windows. There
is also a small archaeological museum there. Entry to foreigners/citizen
is Rs 30/10.
Architecture
Hawa Mahal is a five storey, pyramid-shaped building with beehive like
structure. Each casement has tiny windows and arched roofs with hanging
cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. Its facade makes Hawa Mahal
look more like a screen than a palace. Its top three stories are just a
single room thick but at the base are two courtyards.
Hawa Mahal was built by red and pink sandstone, carefully and
beautifully carved and outlined with white border and motif. Carvings
and motifs designed on the walls of the Hawa Mahal are proof of the
efforts, dedication and skilfulness of the artists of that period.
