Hawa Mahal

For the radio show, see Hawa Mahal (radio program).

The Hawa Mahal
Eastern façade of the Hawa Mahal, 2022
Hawa Mahal is located in Jaipur
Hawa Mahal
Location in Jaipur
Hawa Mahal is located in Rajasthan
Hawa Mahal
Location in Rajasthan
Hawa Mahal is located in India
Hawa Mahal
Location in India
Alternative namesPalace of the Winds, Palace of the Breeze
General information
Architectural styleHindu Rajput Architecture
LocationJaipur, Rajasthan
CountryIndia
Coordinates26°55′26″N 75°49′36″E / 26.9239°N 75.8267°E / 26.9239; 75.8267
Completed1799; 225 years ago (1799)
Technical details
Structural systemRed, yellow, black, rainbow and pink sandstone
Design and construction
Architect(s)Lal Chand Ustad
Main contractorMaharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
Other information
Public transit access Pink Line
At Badi Chaupar

The Hawa Mahal is a palace in the city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Built from red and pink sandstone, it is on the edge of the City Palace, Jaipur, and extends to the Zenana, or women's chambers.

Hawa Mahal is known as the “ palace of winds “. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh built it palace in 1799. Hawa Mahal is considered to be unique as it has many small windows and balconies that seem like a honeycomb.[1]

The structure was built in 1799 by the Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of the city of Jhunjhunu in the state of Rajasthan.[2] He was so inspired by the unique structure of Khetri Mahal that he built this grand and historical palace.

It was designed by Lal Chand Ustad. Its five-floor exterior is akin to a honeycomb with its 953 small windows called Jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework.[3] The original intent of the lattice design was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen. This architectural feature also allowed cool air from the Venturi effect to pass through, thus making the whole area more pleasant during the high temperatures in summer.[3][4][5] Many people see the Hawa Mahal from the street view and think it is the front of the palace, but it is the back.[6]

In 2006, renovation works on the Mahal were undertaken, after a gap of 50 years, to give a facelift to the monument at an estimated cost of Rs 4.568  million.[7] The corporate sector lent a hand to preserve the historical monuments of Jaipur and the Unit Trust of India has adopted Hawa Mahal to maintain it.[8] The palace is an extended part of a huge complex. The stone-carved screens, small casements, and arched roofs are some of the features of this popular tourist spot. The monument also has delicately modelled hanging cornices.

  1. ^ jaanekyadikhjaaye.com, jaanekyadikhjaaye (24 April 2024). "Jaipur - The Pink Pearl Of Rajasthan". Jaane Kya Dikh Jaaye. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  2. ^ "About Hawa Mahal | Hawa Mahal". Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  3. ^ a b Rai, Vinay; William L. Simon (2007). Think India: the rise of the world's next superpower and what it means for every American. Dutton. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-525-95020-2. Retrieved 6 December 2009. Hawa Mahal.
  4. ^ "Hawa Mahal". Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  5. ^ "Jaipur, the Pink City". Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  6. ^ pareek, Amit Kumar Pareek and Agam Kumar. "Hawa Mahal the crown of Jaipur". amerjaipur.in. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  7. ^ "Restoration of Hawa Mahal in Jaipur". Snoop News. 22 March 2005. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 10 December 2009.
  8. ^ "INTACH Virasat" (PDF). Jaipur. Intach.org. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2009.