Hawa Mahal, Jaipur: A Complete Travel Guide
Overview
Amongst the most famous buildings of Jaipur, the Hawa Mahal stands out as the most iconic. People admire its magnificent wall robed in pink sandstone and decorated with 953 small windows (jharokhas). Hawa Mahal is also call the structure the ‘Palace of Winds’. This name comes from its unique architecture, which allows cool breezes and creates a vibrant atmosphere. Hawa Mahal is five stories high and built in the form of a pyramid with narrow corridors. Its magnificent latticework offers views of the city and market streets.
History
Hawa Mahal was built by Sawai Pratap Singh(Grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh) in 1799. He was the Founder of city ‘Jhunjhunu’ in the state of Rajasthan. He made this unique structure for his wife, Rani Jaiwanta Bai’, and for Rajput queens because of their restrictions. Therefore, since Royal Rajput queens were forbidden to roam the city during daylight, the palace was specifically designed to meet their needs. As a result, it features small windows and narrow corridors that offer views of the city and allowed the queens to discreetly observe parades and daily life below. Today, Hawa Mahal stands as a magnificent monument of the glorious past. It reflects the history, power, and architectural brilliance of Jaipur’s royal days.
Also Checkout:- Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur: A complete travel guide
Things to do at Hawa Mahal
Hawa mahal has lot to offer to tourists:
1. Observe Architecture
Marvel at the magnificent five story Hawa Mahal, depict royal heritage of Jaipur. Its complex honeycomb structure includes 953 small windows, also known as ‘jharokhas.’ These allowed the royal women to watch street festivities without being noticed. The lattice design also cools the interior making it a perfect combination of beauty and practicality.
2. Explore Interiors
Roam the strait corridors, steep stairways or the lofty courtyards of this famous building. Each level divulges more about Rajputana life and royal customs. The distinctive architecture promotes natural ventilation throughout, allowing the building to reflect light beautifully from its sandstone walls. This creates an immersive, soothing environment away from the madness of city life.
3. Visit museum
The relics of Jaipur royal past, the museum is part of the Mahal. Here you will find miniature paintings, antique weapons, ceremonial armor, and traditional Rajasthani instruments. It is the perfect place for cultural notes. Visitors can explore the artistic heritage of Rajasthan and the luxurious lives of the Rajput rulers.
4. Enjoy Photography
Hawa was prominent site in jaipur, which showcases exquisite exterior view alongwithal pleasing lighting. And to take advantage of this, people come here and click beautiful photographs.
5. Enjoy city view
Step onto the rooftop to enjoy sprawling views of Jaipur’s old city and bustling bazaars. You can also spot famous sites like Jantar Mantar and City Palace. Climb up the rooftop for a peaceful break. From there, admire the colorful architecture of Jaipur while soaking in the city’s sights and atmosphere.
6. Discover Rajput Culture
Hawa Mahal gives a glimpse of the life of Rajput women and their cultural trends. As you visit, observe the cultural messages communicated through the building’s layout. These range from discreet passages to complex symbolic designs. This experience offers a great way to interact with Rajasthan’s vibrant traditions and royal conventions. It also highlights the brilliant decade of Maharajas and Maharanis.
7. Taste local food
Nearby food shops and stalls offer the vibrant taste of Rajasthani cuisine. Dishes like kachori, ghewar, cold lassi, and aloo tikki will draw you in.
8. Shopping in nearby bazaars
Once you finish your visit, take a stroll around the popular Johri and Bapu Bazaar. These markets offer a variety of handicrafts, jewelry, classic Rajasthani garments, and souvenirs to purchase. This is the best location to buy authentic local products and feel the pulsating life of old city of Jaipur.
For More Information Visit: Palace Of Winds
Timings of Hawa Mahal
Open to the public every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and even on public holidays and sundays.
Entry fees of Hawa Mahal
You need to pay certain amount of fees to explore this enchanting piece of Rajasthani culture:
- Indians: ₹50 per Adult
- Foreign Tourists: ₹200 per person
- Children upto age 7: FREE
Best Time to visit
Ideally, the best time to visit Hawa Mahal is during the winter, from October to March. Moreover, during this season, the weather remains pleasant and, as a result, allows tourists to enjoy comfortable sightseeing. As a result, average daytime temperatures ranging from 15–25 degrees Celsius make this time period ideal for visiting Hawa Mahal and enjoying its scenery. The morning or even evening hours are when you escape the afternoon heat and the busy hours.
How to Reach
Although you can reach Hawa Mahal by various means of transportation, it is still important to understand your options beforehand. Therefore, here is a complete breakdown and explanation of the types of transportation you can choose from:
- By Air: Nearest, Jaipur internation airport is diversely connected to the major cities of india and also connected with international countries. From jaipur airport, you can book cabs and taxis to reach hawa mahal with distance of 12.4km.
- By Train: Jaipur is enormously developing its railway services and Today, it is well connected with the prominent cities of india like delhi, mumbai, kolkata, bangalore, and many more. You can book personal cabs or can choose local transports to reach Hawa mahal at a distance of 6.3 km.
- By Road: Whether you are choosing personal vehicle or bus, you have to travel by National highways NH8, NH21 and 352B. These highways are connect to the cities of india. Sindhi camp bus station is the main stoppage of Volvo and government buses and private vehicles can easily get parking areas with minimum charges per day.
All Categories
