Rajasthan is the city of beautiful palaces and these intriguing palaces makes it a popular tourist spot as well. The palaces are not just mere structures or formations in the city. They are also reminisces of the past. These palaces are still standing tall in all their glory and offer an insight about the days gone long back. Furthermore the history attached to the palaces, the magnificent construction and the social significance makes them even more interesting as a location to visit. And while we are talking about palaces we cannot miss out mentioning the Hawa Mahal. The Hawa Mahal or the Place of Wind is one of the marvelous palaces that you can visit in Jaipur. The architecture and the opulence of the palace is still so much visible even after so many days of its construction.
The magnificent construction of Hawa Mahal Jaipur makes it one of the most popular locations to visit in Jaipur. For many years this has been a favourite place to explore for the visitors. One of the most picturesque palaces, this palace looks straight out of a picture. With its finest carvings, the beautiful architecture and the craftsmanship definitely make it an attractive location for the visitors. It is a popular location for both national and international visitors who find this structure alluring to explore. So if you are ever visiting Jaipur then you cannot miss out on visiting this location. Keep on reading this article as here I will mention everything that you need to know about Jaipur Hawa Mahal. This will be a helpful article for you if you are travelling to this palace in Jaipur any time soon.
Hawa Mahal Jaipur
Location: Hawa Mahal Road, Badi Choupad, J D A Market, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: The Hawa Mahal timings are from 9 am to 5 pm on all days
Entry fee: The entry fee is Rs. 50 per person for Indians. And for Foreigners it is Rs. 200 per person
How to reach
By air
If you are travelling by air then the nearest airport to reach the Hawa Mahal is the Jaipur International Airport. From the airport the distance of the palace is about 12.1 km. It would approximately take you around 25 minutes to reach there from the Jaipur airport. You can easily take a car or hire a cab as well to reach the location from the airport. Or else you can also take local transport from outside the airport to reach the location easily as well.
By train
If you are travelling by train then the nearest railway station to reach the Hawa Mahal is the Jaipur Junction railway station. From the railway station the location of the palace in Jaipur is only 4 km. It would hardly take you around 12 minutes to reach the location from the airport. You can easily opt for local transports in the area to reach there from the railway station.
By road
You can travel by road as well to reach the Hawa Mahal as the location is easily accessible by roadways. If you are travelling by road then you will get buses from different locations to reach here. Both government as well as private buses are available on this route to reach the palace. You can get buses from nearby cities and towns in Rajasthan like Bikaner, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer etc. You will also get buses from other nearby cities and towns as well to reach Jaipur. If you wish you can travel by your own vehicle as well. Or you can take a car or hire a cab as well to reach the location of the palace from different locations.
Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit a location like this would always be the months that are comparatively cooler. From October to February the location enjoys the most comfortable weather so that would ideally be the best time to visit here. If you are visiting here during the winter it would always be more comfortable to roam around and explore the location properly. So try to visit here during these times. You should try to avoid visiting here during the summer months though. The location usually faces a very hot and humid summer and it can be a little uncomfortable to indulge in tourist activities during that time. Especially the peak summer months can be too unbearable because of the scorching sun and the heat.
If we talk about the best time of the day for a visit here then the early hours would be the perfect time. It is the time when the sun rays fall off the palace making it look really beautiful. The picturesque palace looks even more beautiful with the glistening sun on it. So if you visit here during the early hours then it can be a pleasant visit for you. The place would also be comparatively less crowded during the early hours. You can therefore even visit here during the early mornings to avoid the excessive crowd. But the peak seasons are mostly crowded here with a lot of tourists. You definitely need to keep that in mind and you should be ready to face the crowd as well. So plan your trip accordingly so that you can enjoy the best of the palace here in Jaipur.
Overview of Hawa Mahal
The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Wind is one of the architectural marvels in the city of Jaipur. One of the most popular sightseeing spots in the city, this place is like a picture in real life. The picturesque palace amidst the Pink City is one of the gorgeous structures on the streets of Badi Chaupad. For many decades now this location has been a favourite for many travelers. Not just for the Indian tourists, even tourists from other parts of the word also come and visit here. With pigeons sitting on the big airy windows and the sun gleaming on the walls the palace offers a breathtaking view to the visitors. It is one of the architectural masterpieces that would leave you in awe. You would get to understand and witness the finest craftsmanship of the beautiful palace.
The intricate carvings, the honeycomb windows, the massive structure everything about this structure exudes a different charm. It will very well take you back to the days gone by. You would get to feel the royal heritage as soon as you visit here. Also you will feel as if you have been transported to the royal days in the past. It is one of the architectural masterpieces that still reflect the richness of the bygone era. It would be one of the most interesting visits in the city so definitely make sure you are visiting here whenever you are in Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal History
The construction of this magnificent palace goes back to 1799. The Palace of Wind as the name means is one of the most exquisite constructions in the city. There are around 953 intricately carved and designed windows at this palace and they are called Jharokhas. The Jharokhas here are undoubtedly the major attraction of this structure. The structure is built in red and pink sandstones that give it a very vibrant look. Furthermore the windows here are all airy, have perfect shape and they are many in number. Moreover the presence of these windows makes sure that there is enough breeze passing through and hence the name of the palace is Hawa Mahal or Palace of Wind.
Sawai Pratap Singh who was the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai was the Kacchwaha Rajput ruler. He ordered his architect Lal Chand Ustad to construct a palace which will be perfectly aligned to the Royal City Palace. And following his instructions he therefore built this palace for the Royal Ladies and followed the Rajput tradition of the Purdah System. As per the rules that time no strangers could see the Royal Ladies. So with the help of this palace it became easier for them to be a part of royal processions or any other royal occasion without actually being in front of the public. They used to observe all the events without coming in contact with strangers.
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Architecture of Hawa Mahal
The Jaipur Hawa Mahal is one of the architectural marvels that deserve a lot of attention. The unique ventilation system and the breeze passing by make this construction even more unique. From the Venturi Effect the idea was followed in the construction. And further at the centre of each chamber there are fountains that enhance the cooling effect more. In the scorching heat of Rajasthan the palace is certainly a perfect retreat that works like a respite. It is a 5 story structure and has a pyramidal shape. The structure is about 50 feet high and the architecture follows a blend of Rajput and Islamic styles of architecture.
Shaped like a crown this palace has various arches, floral patterns, pillars etc that enhances the structure more. Further there is delicate lattice work here as well that makes it look stunning and also reflects the Islamic style of architecture. This palace is an extended part of a huge complex and is popular as one of the best palaces in Jaipur. The upper floors of the palace are connected by ramps and there are no stairs there.
However, according to the grand exterior of the palace, the interior inside Hawa Mahal is much simpler and basic. You will also find an archeological museum here in the courtyard of the palace. The 5th floor of the structure is called the Hawa Mandir and it is on the basis of this floor that the palace got its name. The unique structure and the architecture of this palace is definitely worth a visit.
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Places to visit near Hawa Mahal
1. City Palace
2. Govind Devji Temple
3. Jantar Mantar
4. Bapu Bazaar
5. Johari Bazaar
6. Tripolia Bazar
Wrapping Up!
So that was all about Hawa Mahal and now you can just plan a visit to this place as soon as you can. If you are visiting Jaipur then this is certainly one such location that you cannot miss out on visiting. The exquisite structure, the architectural details and the unique ventilation system of the palace are some of the things that attract more visitors here. Also the palace looks beautiful straight out of the picture so the picturesque palace also works as the perfect background for some beautiful photographs. If you are visiting here you will further also gain a lot of insight about the history and the culture of the land as well.
So when are you planning to visit the Hawa Mahal Jaipur? And let me know if this article on the Jaipur Hawa Mahal is helpful for you in planning a trip to this location.
