Hawa Mahal, meaning "Palace of Winds," is a beautiful five-story pink palace in the heart of Jaipur. Shaped like a honeycomb, it’s adorned with 953 small windows, known as jharokhas, that add to its charm. Each floor is slightly smaller than the one beneath it, forming a pyramid-like shape that resembles a crown or tiara.
The lattice design lets air move freely in and out, providing natural ventilation that keeps the interiors cool even in Rajasthan’s intense heat. Hawa Mahal merges Mughal arches with Rajput decorative elements, reflecting the cultural fusion in Jaipur’s heritage.
Interestingly, the part of Hawa Mahal that most people assume is the front—the iconic windowed façade—is actually the back of the building.
Hawa Mahal’s red and pink colour comes from sandstone, a common building material in Rajasthan’s historic architecture.
Hawa Mahal’s architecture was crafted by Lal Chand Ustad, a renowned architect of his era.
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, who ruled Jaipur from 1778 to 1803, had the Hawa Mahal built in 1799 as a royal retreat for women observing purdah. He was the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the city’s founder, and had a genuine love for art, architecture, and culture.