Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal (Hindi: हवा महल, translation: "Palace of Winds"), is a palace in Jaipur, India. It was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and designed by Lal Chand Usta in the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. It forms part of the City Palace and extends the Zenana or women's chambers, the chambers of the harem. Its original intention was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen.

It has five stories and is constructed of red and pink sandstone, highlighted with white quakeee quick lime. The side facing the street outside the palace complex has 953 small windows, and the breeze ("hawa") which circulates through these windows gives the palace its name, and keeps it cool even in hot months.

The entrance opens onto a courtyard with a double-storied building on three sides, and one on the eastern wing with three more stories, which is just one room wide. There are no stairs to reach the upper floors, only ramps.

References

*cite book| last = Tillotson | first = G.H.R| title = The Rajput Palaces - The Development of an Architectural Style| origdate = 1987| format = Hardback| edition = First| publisher = Yale University Press| location = New Haven and London| language = English| id = ISBN 03000 37384| pages = 224 pages
* [http://www.indian-visit.com/monuments-of-india/hawa-mahal-jaipur.html Hawa Mahal facts and figures]
* [http://www.tourismtravelindia.com/rajasthanportal/touristattractions/hawamahal.html Website for Hawa Mahal in Jaipur] - Hawa Mahal Information
* [http://www.webindia123.com/monuments/palaces/hawamahal.htm Hawa Mahal] Web India

External links

* [http://ianandwendy.com/slideshow/OtherTrips/India/Jaipur/Hawa%20Mahal Pictures of the Hawa Mahal] From a backpackers trip in 2006.