Hawa Mahal

Overview

Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, is a five-storey pink and red sandstone facade built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and attributed to the architect Lal Chand Ustad. Its 953 small windows (jharokhas) let the women of the royal household watch the street without being seen.

The honeycomb design also draws a cool breeze through the building, which gives it its name. Much of its charm lies in the view of the facade from across the road.

What to look for

• The honeycomb facade at sunrise, when the stone glows
• The view from a rooftop café opposite
• The narrow stairways and ramps inside
• The small museum and the view over Jaipur's old city

Visiting tips

• Photograph the facade from across the street; the interior is small and quick to visit.
• Visit at sunrise for the best colour and lighter crowds.
• Combine it with the City Palace and Jantar Mantar nearby.
• Take care on the steep ramps inside.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Hawa Mahal, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

Chand Baori Amber Fort City Palace Jal Mahal Jantar Mantar Nahargarh Fort Jaigarh Fort