Hawa mahal - Palace of Wind-Jaipur - Rajasthan - India

 Jaipur's Hawa Mahal One of the most popular tourist destinations in Jaipur is the iconic "Palace Of The Winds," also known as the Hawa Mahal. This stunning five-story palace, which is located in the centre of Jaipur, was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, a member of the Kachhwaha Rajput family. Lal Chand Ustad is credited with being the principal architect of this palace made of red and pink sandstone. The palace is thought to have been created to resemble the Hindu god Krishna's crown. The principal features of the Hawa Mahal, which is regarded as an expression of Rajputana architecture, are its pyramidal shape and its 953 windows, or "Jharokhas," which are embellished with elaborate decorations.

The major purpose of building the Monument was to make life easier for the royal women and provide them a perspective of daily life via the windows because they never appeared in public. 

Lal Chand Ustad designed this extraordinary five-story pyramidal palace, which rises 15 m above the ground from its high base. The building's design is a remarkable fusion of Islamic Mughal architecture and Hindu Rajput architecture. The fluted pillars, floral designs, and domed canopies are tangible examples of the first type, and the arches and stone inlay filigree work are examples of the second.

The mahal's interior, which is accessible through an imposing door on the back side, is equally as stunning as its exterior. You'll enter the doorway onto a stunning, expansive courtyard. Prakash Mandir, Hawa Mandir, Ratan Mandir, Vichitra Mandir, and Sharad Mandir are just a few of the many names for the floors. While the majority of temples were utilised by the ladies, the Maharaja himself used Vichitra Mandir as his prayer space. All of them are open to visitors.

The Hawa Mahal compound also houses a museum. You can view the weapons, artefacts, paintings, and other relics that previously belonged to the Rajput kings here. However, keep in mind that Fridays are a holiday. You may do a good deal of shopping in the Hawa Mahal market. The market, which flanks the main entrance, is lined with stalls and shops that sell amazing goods including Rajasthani ethnic clothing and souvenirs. Handicrafts, footwear, jewellery (precious, semi-precious, and artificial), bags, clothing, and snacks are some of the goods worth purchasing from here. But don't forget to haggle for the best offers!

The city of Jaipur has good air, train, and road connections to other Indian cities as well as to certain foreign towns. 13 kilometres from Jaipur, in the southern suburb of Sanganer, is where you'll find the Jaipur International Airport.

The Hawa Mahal is open from 9.30 am to 5:00 pm, and entry is 50 rupees for Indian citizens. 200 Rs. is the entry cost for foreigners.

Early in the morning is the ideal time to visit Hawa Mahal since the sun is streaming through the windows. Golden sun lights are used to illuminate the Mahal.