Hawa Mahal Jaipur

Hawa Mahal Palace (the Palace of Wind or Pink Palace) is an important landmark and a trip to Jaipur is considered incomplete without a visit to Hawa Mahal. Although little more than a façade, it is a unique building.

Hawa Mahal is accessible from City Palace. There is no definite record as to why Hawa Mahal was constructed; only conjecture since this building could not have been for residential purposes. The inner face of the building is absolutely without ornamentation. Its chambers are plain and a collection of pillars and passages leading to the top storey. The common belief is that it was made to enable the royal ladies to watch processions and other things going-on in the strict below as they observed purdah. The lattice windows allow a cool breeze to circulate inside. Today, Hawa Mahal gives an excellent view of the city below.

It was built in 1799, in the reign of Sawai Pratap Singh (1778-1803) and is an iconic building of Jaipur. The best time to view is in the early morning sunlight.