A whimsical addition to Rajasthan’s rich architectural vocabulary, the fanciful Hawa Mahal or “Palace of Winds” was created in 1799 by the aesthete Sawai Pratap Singh and designed by Lal Chand Utsa. You can site this architectural splendor next to the entrance to the City Palace. Its ornate pink façade has become an icon for the city. The tiered Baroque-like composition of more than 953 projecting windows, 900 niches and balconies with perforated screens is five storey high but just one room deep, its walls not more than 20 cm thick. Built of lime and mortar, the Rajputana structure was designed in this way to enable the veiled ladies of the harem to observe unnoticed the lively street scenes below.
Exploring the Hawa Mahal
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the Hawa Mahal seen from afar looks like the mukut that often adorns the god’s head. Visitors can climb up the winding ramp to the top, and a gateway towards the west leads into the complex. Within are administrative offices and the Archaeological Museum, which houses a small collection of sculptures and local handicrafts, including some utensils dating back to the 2nd century BC.
How to reach the Amber Fort
By Air
Jaipur’s Sanganer Airport is just south of the city.
By Rai
Jaipur Station well connected to Delhi by Ajmer Shatabdi and Delhi-Jaipur Express, to Mumbai by the Bombay Central-Jaipur and Aravalli expresses, and to Kolkata by the Howrah-Jaipur Express.
By Road
NH8 links Jaipur to Delhi via Shahpura and Dharuhera, and to Mumbai via Ajmer, Udaipur, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Bharuch, Pardi, Talasari and Manor. RSRTC operates deluxe coaches from Bikaner House in Delhi near Pandara Road. Excellent bus connections are also available from Jaipur’s Sindhi Camp Central Bus Terminal to other destinations in Rajasthan and beyond.
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur