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Introduction to Hawa Mahal:
Once the capital to the princely state ruled by Raja
Jai Singh 2 of Kachhwaha clan of Rajputs, old Jaipur
(the walled city called pink city) is one of the most
well planned of the pre-modern Indian cities. Built
in pink stucco resembling sandstone, the city has broad
symmetrical roads and streets giving it a very regal
and ordered look. The border of the city is marked by
a wall and two gateways. Replete with reminiscences
of a gallant royalty like the Hawa Mahal, City Palace,
Amber Palace and fort (on the outskirts), Jaipur is
now one of the most important heritage cities in the
country and a must see for all the tourists visiting
Rajasthan.
The look of the Hawa Mahal
The Hawa Mahal, is easily the most well known name
in the list of tourist attractions in Jaipur. Built
in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the Hawa Mahal
or the palace of breeze is a part of the Jaipur City
Palace complex. Sporting the Rajput meets Mughal style
of architecture that characterizes the city this building
has 953 windows in the front giving it a honeycombed
look. The windows were originally made to facilitate
the royal ladies forbidden to go outdoors to have a
view of the street. The cool breeze circulating through
these, keep the building cool and has lent the building
its name. The five storey red and pink sandstone building
highlighted with white lime has no stairs, only ramps
to reach the upper floors. The gateway opens into a
courtyard in Rajasthani style and has a double storey
building on three sides and one more with three ore
floors on the eastern wing. However the scheme of the
entire building clearly shows that the Hawa Mahal was
not built for residential purposes. It is yet another
proof of the aesthetics and luxurious indulgence of
a dynasty that saw great patrons of art and architecture.
A cluster of exquisitely carved arched windows and casements
with hanging cornices is very picturesque and makes
the Hawa Mahal stand out from all other monuments.
Access
The city of Jaipur is undoubtedly one of the most important
tourist destinations and hence well connected to the
rest of the country by rail, road and air. The NH 11
linking Bikaner and Agra passes through Jaipur. Jaipur
is connected both by the broad-gauge and meter-gauge
railway lines. Direct trains for Delhi, Agra, Howrah,
Lucknow, Bangalore, Myosre, Chennai are available. The
Jaipur airport has regular domestic and a few international
flights to London, Dubai, Singapore and Dublin. The
Hawa Mahal is well within the premises of the Jaipur
City, now stretching well beyond the walled portion.
Indianholiday.com offer information about the Hawa Mahal
Jaipur and online booking for tour packages to Jaipur.
For more details please fill up the form below.
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