Hawa Mahal

4.4

Location: Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, India

Estimated Visiting Time: 1 to 2 hours (approximately)

Hawa Mahal (The Palace of Breeze or The Palace of Winds) is an incredibly beautiful palace situated in the city of Jaipur under the state of Rajasthan, India. It is situated on the edge of the city palace, Jaipur and it extends right to the Zenana, or women’s Chambers. This palace has a great historical background. The architecture of this palace attracts tourists. A huge number of people come to visit this majestic palace every year.

Hawa Mahal derives its name from its unique formation, which is a mesh of some small windows. That allows a cool breeze to enter the palace and keeps the inside of the palace comfortable and cool during the months of summer. The reason behind the constitution of the palace was to allow the women of the royal family to observe and enjoy the festivities held on the streets which were unseen from the outside as was the custom of the land.

If you are in Jaipur, you can’t miss visiting this palace. Visiting this palace will be a lifetime memory for you.

Attraction

Hawa Mahal is an important part of the history of the city of Jaipur. It is one of the most beautiful palaces in India. It has a very unique structure. The Jharokhas or the windows of the palace attract tourists the most. It has great historical significance. Any historical enthusiast or architecture lover will love this place. You can also click on some wonderful pictures here.

History

Palace of the Winds in Jaipur by night

The palace Hawa Mahal was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799, he was the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, who was the founder of Jaipur. Inspired by the unique structure of Khetri Mahal he made this palace. The structure was designed by Lal Chand Ustad. The palace is five floors with 953 small windows which are called Jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework. It helps to bring a breeze inside the palace and make the palace comfortable from the inside. These Windows are so famous among tourists.

Inside/Outside Views

A fully dressed elephant in a parade which is part of a local Muslim festival. The background is the landmark of Jaipur, Hawa Mahal.

The structure of the building is the main reason behind this unique name. The five-story palace is quite similar to a honeycomb because of the 953 small windows. This is the tallest building in the world without any foundation. It is tilted at an angle of 87 degrees. It stands at an elevation of 50 feet above the ground and has small portholes consisting of miniature sandstone grills and windows. This palace is made with red and pink sandstone that looks incredible.

The palace has no stairs inside and one has to climb up the ramps to reach the top.

One needs to get through an Imperial door which is situated on the left of the building, to enter the mahal. The top three floors of the mahal are only one width of one room and the first and second floors have courtyards in front of them. The floors are beautifully decorated with colorful mosaics of glasses, stonework, and ‘chhatris’ which are part of the traditional Rajasthani architecture. This historical mahal is maintained by the archeological department of the Government of Rajasthan.

Opening Hours

Hawa Mahal is open every day of the week. The opening hours are-

Monday 9 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday 9 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday 9 AM – 5 PM
Thursday 9 AM – 5 PM
Friday 9 AM – 5 PM
Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
Sunday 9 AM – 5 PM

Entry & Others Fees

A visitor needs to pay a little amount to visit this palace.
The entry fee for Indians is Rs 50 (per person)
The entry fee for foreigners is Rs 200 (per person)

Near Restaurants

Midtown Multicuisine Restaurant & bar
Baradari Restaurant & Bar
Kebabs & Curries Company Hawamahal Road
The Palace Cafe Restaurant
Shree Gopi Pavitra Bhojnalaya

Near Hotels

Jai Niwas Hotel
Virasat Mahal Heritage Hotel
Hotel Kailash
The Raj Palace by Small Luxury Hotels of The World
Jaipur Hotel New – A heritage hotel

How to Reach

By air: The nearest airport to Hawa Mahal is the Jaipur International Airport (JIA). It is situated at a distance of 12.2 km from the palace. It is well connected to the other cities of the country. You will easily find local transport at the airport. Which can take you to your destination.

By train: Situated at a distance of 5.6 km from Hawa mahal the Jaipur Junction Railway Station is the nearest railway station to this palace. It has a good connection with the other cities of Rajasthan and the major cities of India. Local transport like taxis and cabs can be found at the railway station. By hiring them you can reach the renowned palace without any problem.

By Road: You can find local transport which can take you to the place.

Tips for Travellers

Carry essential things like a photo ID card, water bottle, etc with you in a small bag or purse. Wear comfortable chotles. It may take a long time to visit this palace properly.

FAQ

Que-01: Is this place safe to visit?

Ans: Yes, Hawa mahal is a safe place for tourists. You can go there without any doubt. As you will meet several kinds of people there you have to be careful. For your convenience here is the local police station information for you:

Location: XR2R+87H, Ganesh Colony, Parasrampuri, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, India

Google map: https://g.co/kgs/DRrv3o

Que-02: Is photography allowed in this place?

Ans: Yes, photography is allowed in Hawa mahal. No charge is needed for that. You can take amazing pictures of the palace from the other side of the road.

Que-03: When is the best time to visit Hawa Mahal?

Ans: The best time to visit Hawa Mahal is from September to March. During these months the weather of the city remains cool and pleasant. But you can go there any time of the year. You can enjoy an amazing view of the palace in the early morning when the sun enters the room through the windows. It looks Marvelous.

Que-04: Is there any parking zone near the Hawa Mahal?

Ans: Hawa Mahal does not have its own parking space. But, there is a parking facility near Govind Dev Ji Temple which is near Hawa Mahal. Tourists can park their vehicles there and explore the surrounding area.

Places to visit near Hawa Mahal: