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Hawa Mahal of Jaipur is an iconic architectural gem of Rajasthan tourism, India. In English, it means 'Palace of Winds'. Though it is termed as 'Mahal' or palace, it is in fact a narrow shield and façade, built of red sandstone, with the purpose to offer the royal ladies a screen to see the bustling market remaining unseen themselves. Its look, history and architecture create great curiosity among the visitors and, hence, Hawa Mahal is considered as a must-see monument of Jaipur.

Hawa Mahal, the five storey elaborate façade with latticed overhanging windows, was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Façade of Hawa Mahal looks more like a screen rather than a palace. Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, was designed by Lal Chand Usta. This iconic structure is the most easily recalled hallmarks of Jaipur. Maharaja Pratap Singh, devout devotee of Lord Krishna, dedicated this Mahal (palace) to Him and hence built the intricate exterior walls to look like a mukut (crown). With 953 small windows meant for cooler air circulation, this semi-octagonal extension of "zanana khana"-the Harem of City Palace was for royal women to observe the processions and bustling activity of everyday life in the street below without being observed themselves. Though people conjecture that the Hawa Mahal was for royal ladies, but in actuality, there is no definite record as to why it was built. The interior of chambers is bereft of any ornamentation which is expected in any royal structure.

Information on Architecture of Hawa Mahal

This five storeyed pyramid structure was designed by Lal Chand Ustad who dedicated his work to Lord Krishna and Radha. The pyramid shape of the Mahal gives it an appearance of the crown that adorned the head of Lord Krishna. The Mahal stands on a podium and is fifty feet high. The thickness, however, is less than even a foot. The entrance is through the City Palace from where doors open into a commodious courtyard with double storeyed buildings covering three sides. The building today houses an Archaeological Museum. The upper two storeys have just a single room. There are no stairs to reach the upper floors. Rather, there are ramps meant for carrying the palanquin of the royal ladies. 

The entire structure is made up of 953 small casements each with small lattice worked pink window, small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices. Cool breezes enter through the window and keep the inner atmosphere extremely pleasant and airy. 

Visitors will be surprised to notice that in sharp contrast to its rich exteriors, the interiors of the Hawa Mahal is strikingly simple. However, it is from here that visitors can have some of the finest views of the modern city of Jaipur.