If you want to witness the royal architecture of ancient India then The Hawa Mahal is a must visit for you. This palace is one of its kind and stands tall in the centre of Jaipur. The palace is made up from pink and red sandstones.
Though it is facing the main road, the entrance to the palace is from its rear side. You need to take the narrow lane to its left for reaching the entry gate. The palace was built for the royal ladies so that they could get a glimpse of the outer world and happenings without coming into the public notice. It was especially built to keep the queens away from public eyes.
This pyramid shaped five-storied structure is 50 feet tall from the ground and is magnificent to look at. There are around 950 windows in the palace, which are a great source of ventilation and there is an excellent circulation of wind in the interiors. The windows referred to as ‘Jharokas’ were built to provide adequate air circulation for the ladies who lived inside. You can also see intricate detailing on the windows which make them look more gorgeous.
There are no staircases for climbing from one floor to another. The floors are well connected via slopes and this makes the palace all the more interesting. The entrance to the palace leads to a large courtyard which is capacious and is surrounded on its three sides by two storied buildings. The bottom two floors of the palace have courtyards while the other three are single rooms.
There is a museum inside the ‘mahal’ which features miniature paintings and antiques from the ancient past. The museum will give you a taste of the royal Indian flavor. Access to the museum is given only from Thursday to Saturday. If you crave to visit the museum, make sure you plan to visit Hawa Mahal on these days.
The typical attribute of the palace is the narrow winding alleys that are fun to walk but can sometimes prove to be claustrophobic. The palace particularly looks more stunning during the early hours due to the golden sunlit rays falling on it. A magnificent view of the city can be seen from the palace. You also get an opportunity to click beautiful pictures at the Hawa Mahal. There are various other attractions located in close vicinity to the palace which are fun to visit.
It holds great historical significance and is a perfect example of ancient Rajput culture. The place is a must visit for all those who are interested in historical architectures. It is Jaipur’s pride and you are welcome to pay a visit and enjoy the magnificence of this splendid piece of art.
You can opt for public transport in Jaipur city and can conveniently reach the place due to its central location.
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