The iconic five-story palace with 953 small windows (jharokhas) designed to allow royal ladies to observe street festivals while unseen.
Hawa Mahal, or the "Palace of Winds," is one of Jaipur's most distinctive landmarks. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, this five-story palace features a unique honeycomb facade with 953 small windows called jharokhas.
The palace was designed to allow royal ladies to observe street festivals and everyday life without being seen, adhering to the strict "purdah" system of the time which prohibited noble women from appearing in public.
The structure's distinctive pyramid shape resembles the crown of Lord Krishna, and its intricate pink sandstone work exemplifies the brilliant Rajput architecture. The palace has minimal corridors inside, with rooms connected by narrow staircases.
Today, Hawa Mahal stands as a museum with artifacts from royal times. The top of the palace offers stunning views of the city, including the nearby Jantar Mantar and City Palace.
