Hawa Mahal - Jaipur


You just can’t be in the Pink City and not pass by this imposing and charming structure of yore.

Magnificient structure of Hawa Mahal  - Jaipur
[  The tall, imposing structure of Hawa Mahal, Jaipur ]

    This is the Hawa Mahal or the ‘Palace of the winds’. It was built in 1799 by the poet-king Sawai Pratap Singh for the royal ladies to enjoy the various processions or day to day activities from the cool confines of this splendid structure. That was the era when women were not allowed outside and used to maintain ghunghat (purdah system). Built in exquisite Rajputana architecture, this 5 storied semi-octagonal and honeycombed structure comprises of 953 niches and 152 windows.

Delicately carved niches and windows of Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
[ The windows of Hawa Mahal encrusted with domes and spires ]

    There is crazy traffic all around; still tourists stop by to relive the opulence of the bygone era. No wonder then, it has become the hallmark of Jaipur and also the most recognizable and photographed monument of this city.

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40 Comments

  1. Have you been inside? It must be amazing!!!

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  2. @Anu
    Unfortunately being too short of time, I couldnt!
    But Yes, it must definitely be an amazing view from those windows!

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  3. Thanks for sharing this beautiful and fascinating structure with us.
    Thanks, too, for visiting my site.

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  4. What an amazing building. I would love to hang out in a niche for the day and watch the world go by...not in purdah though....too hot and nasty....Love how the windows look turquoise and complement the pink stone....

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  5. Hi Arti,
    Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment on my beach blog.

    Hawa Mahl is impressive...love your description of "encrusted with domes and spires"...indeed!

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  6. Gosh, what a sight! Must be amazing if you stand right in front of it.

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  7. Oh my goodness, that is an amazingly beautiful structure! Thank you Arti for coming by today! STAY YOUNG and keep exploring! Anita

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  8. Stunning image!!!
    Thanks you for visit and comment on my blog,
    Regards,
    Cecilia

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  9. I just wanted to pop in and say thank you very much for visiting my blog and for leaving your very kind comment! I really do appreciate it. You have a very interesting blog here - What a great idea! :0)

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  10. Isn't it amazing how in those days with extremely limited technology our forefathers were able to create such masterpieces!

    US Masala

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  11. Wow!! Who lives in here now? Do they ever let the public in?

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  12. This one I want to visit. This, I know is a famous land mark and shan of Jaipur. Few years back my brother visited this place.

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  13. The Hawa Mahal building is really impressive! Love the architecture. I am sure the building will look even more impressive in real.

    Enjoy the beautiful surroundings in your city :-D

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  14. oh wow.. it looks so grand, arti..

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  15. I can only think of one to word - magnificent. I'd hate to have to clean all those windows though.

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  16. How gorgeous! The architecture is beautiful :D

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  17. Thank you for visiting my blog today and leaving a lovely comment. Your post is beautiful, such an amazing building I would love to be able to walk through this ancient place!

    Have a wonderful week.

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  18. Hawa Mahal is so beautiful! I have never been inside though.

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  19. Lovely and interesting.. and it sure is pink! Thanks for your visit to my blog. :)

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  20. It's amazing to me that this was built in the 18th century! It's so beautiful.

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  21. that building is amazing! thanks for your nice comment =)

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  22. Beautiful pink city temple! Thank you for sharing! You must have been very patient Ari to get the rigiht angle ad picture without lots of people and traffic.

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  23. Arti -- I think I spelled your name wrong on my last comment~ Sorry. I hate when people do that to me ;>)

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  24. What a beautiful building. The name is interesting too, 'The Palace of the Winds'. Perhaps one day I will be able to visit it. I hope so.

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  25. An impressive building with an interesting history!

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  26. Thanks soo much for your visit & comment on my blog! I really do love all the inspirational photos and post inside your amazing blog!!

    Agneta

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  27. you have an awesome account of travelogues...love to read them all....

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  28. Dear Arti
    Durga puja greetings to you.
    Bit tied up and could not read all the postings after 2nd Oct
    Very nice and informative, all the postings.
    Was thinking of Going to Badrinath during temple closure on Diwali..but I understand the road is in very bad condition ..may be next year.
    HAve a nice weekend.

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  29. Wow, so intricate in detail! Here from BPOTW!

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  30. very well described in minute detail of grandeur of the past.
    thumbs up.

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  31. beautifully captured Hawa Mahal.Hey!Arti wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.

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  32. nice. but I feel better shot would have been possible capturing full view of the palace

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  33. Hey wonderful place to visit , sometime in year or two i should make a trip to rajasthan . I had been to this place long back in 2004 .

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  34. The Hawa Mahal is a great example of the Rajputana architecture; it was strongly influenced by Mughal style of architecture.

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  35. Hawa mahal disappointed me when I saw it first time...but yes, It always looks magnificent in pics :)

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com/

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