Hawa Mahal

The most famous landmark of Jaipur, the palace of winds built in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh was actually planned for the royal household to have a look at every day life of the city. The palace has tier upon tier of curved arch surmounting fairy casements with "jali" - latticework screens. Famous for it's Beehive like structure, the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds is made of red and pink sand stone, beautifully outlined with white borders and motif's painted with quick lime. It is currently under the supervision of the state's Archeological Department. This Mahal is a fantasia of 953 ornate windows set in a rose-colored five-storey facade. From the latticework, the ladies of the court could look out at festive processions without jeopardizing their modest seclusion. The entrance to this strange building is on the rear side. It is an excellent example of Rajput artistry. Once on top of the Hawa Mahal its a breathtaking view of the pink city. In fact, Hawa Mahal symbolizes Jaipur today. The beauty of the Hawa Mahal lies in its fragile appearance. It is the most romantic and delicate examples of solid architecture. The Hawa Mahal is a beautiful multi-layered palace, which comprises of a large number of stone screens and windows and would surely enchant the viewers.