A Visit to Hawa Mahal: The Palace of the Wind

Hawa Mahal is a palace in Jaipur, India that is famous for its unique architecture and history. It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as an extension of the royal women's quarters of the City Palace. The palace has 953 windows that allow the breeze to flow through and keep the palace cool. The windows also enabled the royal women to watch the street life and festivals without being seen by the public, as they followed the strict custom of purdah.

I visited Hawa Mahal on a sunny day in May 2023. I was amazed by the sight of this pink sandstone structure that resembled a honeycomb or a crown. I entered the palace through a small door and climbed up the narrow stairs to explore the five floors of the palace. Each floor had a different name and function. The first floor was called Sharad Mandir, where the autumn celebrations took place. The second floor was called Ratan Mandir, where the windows were decorated with colored glass. The third floor was called Vichitra Mandir, where the king worshipped Lord Krishna. The fourth floor was called Prakash Mandir, where the light and air entered the palace. The fifth floor was called Hawa Mandir, where the wind circulated freely.

The palace was not very spacious or luxurious, but it had a charm and beauty of its own. I enjoyed looking at the intricate carvings, paintings, and latticework on the walls and windows. I also admired the views of the city and the nearby Jantar Mantar observatory from the windows. I learned a lot about the history and culture of Jaipur and Rajasthan from the museum and audio guide inside the palace.

How to Reach Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal is located in the heart of Jaipur's old city, at Badi Chaupar (Big Square). Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is part of India's popular Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit. It can be easily reached by air, rail, or road from other cities in India.

- By Air: Jaipur International Airport is situated at Sanganer, about 13 kilometers from Jaipur. It has flights to and from major domestic and international destinations. From the airport, one can take a taxi, bus, or metro to reach Hawa Mahal.

- By Rail: Jaipur Railway Station is one of the busiest stations in India and is well-connected with other cities by regular trains. It is about 5 kilometers from Hawa Mahal. One can take a taxi, auto-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw, or metro from the station to reach Hawa Mahal.

- By Road: Jaipur is connected with other cities by national highways and state highways. It is about 270 kilometers from Delhi and 240 kilometers from Agra by road. One can take a bus, car, or bike to reach Jaipur and then Hawa Mahal.

Visit Timing and Entry Fee

Hawa Mahal is open daily from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. The entry fee for Indian visitors is Rs 50 per person and for foreign visitors is Rs 200 per person. There is an additional charge of Rs 10 for an audio guide and Rs 50 for a camera.

Tips for Visiting Hawa Mahal

- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes as there are many stairs to climb inside the palace.

- Carry a water bottle and a hat as it can get hot and dry inside the palace.

- Avoid visiting on weekends and public holidays as it can get crowded.

- Respect the culture and customs of the place and do not litter or damage anything.

- Enjoy the views and the breeze from the windows and learn about the history and architecture of this unique palace.

I hope you enjoyed reading my review article on visiting Hawa Mahal in Jaipur. If you ever get a chance to visit this place, do not miss it! It is a wonderful experience that will leave you spellbound! 😍.