Location: Jaipur in the state of Rajasthan
Famous As: The Pink City of India
Built in: 1799 A. D by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
Ideal Time to Visit: October- March
Tourist Timings: 9:00 hrs- 17:00hrs
Hawa Mahal an Architectural Splendor
Hawa Mahal one of the most elegant specimens of the Rajasthan monument is
constructed by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the year 1799 AD. The mahal
also known as a Palace of the Wind, is a magnum opus of Rajput artistry.
This 5 story imposing structural splendor is constructed in red and pink
sandstone and is remarkably embellished with leitmotif painted in quick
lime.
Hawa Mahal is a requisite portion of the City Palace, an extension of the
Zenana Mahal a women's house slightly outlying from the main complex. Hawa
Mahal gives a splendid panorama of Jaipur City down with a variegated view
of buzzing bazaars and busy lifestyle of the people. The Palace was
primarily contrived with an objective of letting the ladies of the royal
court to watch the royal processions and other activities on road without
being observed by others.
Constructor of Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal an unprecedented specimen of Rajputana architectural splendor is
a wonderfully patterned and carved monument designed by Lal Chand Usta. Its
camouflage from outside across the road gives the ambience of a delicate
showcase than a palace. Hawa Mahal a 5-story, pyramid-shaped structure has
953 small chambers with pretty latticework on its pink delicate windows,
gorgeous balconies and curvilinear roofs. The pyramidal outline is flat from
top to bottom, the compact and numerous casements and motifs are used
repeatedly to increase its gracefulness by maintaining symmetry. These
numerous small delicate windows were built with an idea of keeping the
chambers cool by circulate cool air in the hot summer days.
A study of Rajput monuments shows that Rajputs were so strongly influenced
by Mughal architecture that they adopted the Mughal style of construction in
such a way which gave base to the growth of a different architectural style
of superb elegance and imaginative invention. The Rajput architecture is
dominated by traditional Hindu style of making the chhatris- a small
spherical covering canopies supported by pillars, lotus and flowering
designs, where as it has ambient factors like stone inlay work and arches,
that represent the Islamic style of architecture
Entrance/ Courtyard
Famous
for it's Beehive like structure, the Hawa Mahal entrance opens at the rear
side of the main building, as such there is no gateway at the front portion
of the Palace.
The palace also has a small archaeological museum in its courtyard
surrounded by double story building on three sides. The building stands over
a high platform. It is a 50ft high thin shield, not even a foot in
thickness, with small intimate chambers, which give the unique exterior to
the structure. The upper floors can only be accessed by a ramp, as there are
no regular stairs, therefore a gadget was used to assist movement of
palanquins carried by servants.
Hawa Mahal comes under the administration of the State archeological
department, stock the tourist with admirable panorama of the city. The best
time to view Hawa Mahal is sunrise when sunlight through the latticed
windows gives it an awesome luminescence.
Getting Around
Air: Jaipur can easily be accessed as there are regular flights
connecting Jaipur to Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, and Varanasi.
Rail: Trains to Jaipur are available from all the major parts of the
country. There are also special trains from Delhi such as the Palace on
Wheels and Royal Orient Express, which makes a royal ride for the travelers.
Road: There are excellent bus services from all the major places in
Rajasthan, Delhi and Mumbai. To reach Hawa Mahal tourists' taxis, horse
carts, rickshaws are also easily available.
