The amazing palace, which looks like the headdress of a deity, is rightly considered one of the most striking sights of Jaipur. Hawa Mahal is interesting from a historical and architectural point of view. You can visit it on your own or as part of a tour.
History of the Palace of the Winds
Looking at its imposing walls, rising high into the sky, it’s hard to believe it’s a palace. Indeed, at first another Krishna temple was built, but in the process the ruler abruptly changed his mind, turning the structure into a secular building.
Hawa Mahal Palace got its name because of its interesting ventilation system. Numerous windows and arches are arranged in such a way as to create natural ventilation. It’s always much cooler under its vaults than outside. The exact time of the start of construction is unknown. Historical records indicate that by 1799 it was decorating the center of the city.
The architecture of the Hawa Mahal Palace
The Palace of the Winds is located in the center of Jaipur. It is convenient to examine it together with other architectural monuments located in the historic part of the city.
Appearance
My first impression is mixed. From afar, Hawa Mahal resembles a wreath; a little closer it begins to look like a giant anthill. And only when you look at it closely admires the skill of the architects and builders, who were able to make a powerful volumetric building at the same time airy and very harmonious. Balancing between excess and sophistication, they created a real treasure.
The height of the building is 15 meters. The peculiarity lies in the gradual narrowing of each segment. While the first floor has spacious rooms with access to patios, on the top floor they are reduced to one small room. Among the abundance of decorations of the facade is not immediately noticeable numerous balconies, closed with tracery lattices. They did not allow the figures of the exiting women, who belonged to the Maharajah’s family, to be seen from the street.
Many of the windows are covered with colored glass, which makes the multicolored sun bounces on the floor and walls of the interior. Pink sandstone was chosen to construct the building, and the Moorish style prevails in the outlines.
Interior Interiors
The Palace of the Winds in India was built without a single staircase between floors. Gentle crossings were put in their place. For safety, special notches are made on the floor. The rooms themselves are small. Despite the coolness created through the window system, living in the palace was not very comfortable, so it was considered a temporary residence. People used to come here during the holidays, because the many windows made it very easy to see everything that was going on in the square. Tourists are sure to try on the role of a noble recluse and admire the surrounding scenery from several windows.
The interiors of Hawa Mahal are decorated with murals of stunning beauty. The colors still retain their brightness. The most luxurious and elegant in the succession of rooms is considered a hall in the Moroccan style. It is decorated with arches, expensive carpets, and colorful stained glass windows.
In addition to the windows in the walls of the Palace of the Winds, special slits are also part of the ventilation system.
Many visitors claim that along with the cool breeze comes an occasional faint melody. This is not documented, but it makes the visit to Hawa Mahal Palace even more interesting.
On the upper floors are the most luxurious rooms. They have preserved huge golden vases, decorative elements decorated with precious stones. It has a stunning view of part of the city.
How to get to the Hawa Mahal Palace?
On the tourist map, Hawa Mahal is marked as one of the main attractions. It can be reached on foot if you are in the Pink City area near the City Palace. From anywhere in the city is better to take a cab, but to agree on the cost of travel and other small things is better before getting into the car.
The Palace of the Winds works as a museum from 9.00 to 16.30. Entrance from the side of the patios. If you intend to visit the other attractions of Jaipur, it is worth buying a comprehensive ticket for 350 rupees. The price for children is much less.
Admission to Hawa Mahal, if you buy a ticket only to visit it, will cost 50 rupees for adults. The benefit costs 25.
Video overview of the Hawa Mahal Palace
The most beautiful view of the Palace of the Winds is at sunrise and sunset, when the sun’s rays give the pink sandstone a golden hue. In front of the entrance are always crowded vendors everything, and you can not always refuse an unnecessary purchase. If you want to know more about the attractions, it is worth to arrange a personal guide or join a group tour. It is definitely worth a visit to the small museum, which presents furnishings, jewelry, ceremonial armor and paintings.
Hawa Mahal in Jaipur has long been a symbol of the city and deserves attention as an amazing monument of architecture and history.
