Hawa Mahal means the 'Palace of Winds' or the 'Wind Palace'. It has 953 small windows (Jharokas), they were built to keep the wind blowing inside the palace
Shaped like a Crown
Hawa Mahal is built in the shape of a crown, it looks like Lord Krishna's crown. Sawai Pratap Singh was believed to be a great devotee of Lord Krishna. His passion became the reason behind this design.
Built for the Royal Ladies
Hawa Mahal was constructed as a separate complex for the royal ladies. The idea was that, royal women could watch the daily life of the city through the windows.
The facade of the building is structured like a bee hive. The intricately designed windows allowed the royal women to watch the bustle of the city, without being visible to public.
No Front Entrance
The Rann Of Kutch (3 km from the city centre), Aina Mahal (1 km from the city centre), Hamirsar Lake (1 km from the city centre), Shri Swaminarayan Temple (5 km from the city centre) and Mandvi Beach (58 km from the city centre).
Distinctive Architecture
Hawa Mahal is renowned for its distinctive five-story pink sandstone facade with intricate latticework and 953 small windows (jharokhas)
Intricate Jharokhas
The jharokhas in Hawa Mahal are not just simple windows; they are beautifully decorated with intricate lattice work and floral motifs.
Built for Royal Women
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of Jaipur ordered the construction of Hawa Mahal in 1799.
Architectural Symbolism
The unique design of Hawa Mahal is said to resemble the crown of Lord Krishna.
Ventilation and Cooling
The numerous small windows and the design of the building were intended to maximize ventilation and natural cooling, making it a comfortable retreat for the ladies during the scorching Rajasthan summers.
Five Stories, But Thin as a Screen
Hawa Mahal appears to be a five-story building from the front, but it is actually quite narrow.
No Stairs to Reach the Upper Floors
Hawal Mahal has 5 floors and there are no stairs to climb, instead there are only ramps to reach the top floors.