 Built
in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh the 'Hawa Mahal',
Palace of the Wind, is one of the major landmarks of Jaipur. It is
an integral part of the City Palace, an extension of the Zenana
(women's chambers) standing away from the main complex. This five
storey building of unusual architecture designed by Lal Chand Usta,
is a stunning example of Rajput artistry made of red and pink sand
stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted
with quick lime. The monument with a spectacular view of Jaipur city
with road avenues, intersections and colourful crowds in the market,
was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the
royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions in
the city without being seen by others.Its facade from the road side makes
Hawa Mahal look more like a delicate screen than a palace. This
five-story, pyramid-shaped structure has tier after tier of 953
small casements, each with tiny lattice worked (Jali) pink windows,
small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely
modeled and carved. These small windows circulate cool air (Hawa)
even in hot months. The pyramidal outline is even throughout by
cramming and multiplying casements; and uses repetition of motifs to
enhance its beauty.
The entrance to Hawa Mahal is from
the City Palace side, through a stately door which opens into a
spacious courtyard. The courtyard has a double storeyed building on
three sides. There is a small archeological museum here. Only the
eastern wing has three more storeys above, which are just a single
room thick. The building, standing on a high podium, is a fifty-foot
high thin shield, less than a foot in thickness, with small intimate
chambers , which give this palace its unique facade. There are no
regular stairs to reach the upper floors, but only ramps.
Hawa Mahal which is currently under the supervision of the State
archeological department provides the visitor with excellent views
of the city. The best time to view Hawa Mahal is sunrise when
sunlight through the latticed windows gives it a wonderful glow.
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