Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
The very word “Hawa” is in itself so sweeping, sweeping us to a land of delights. Yes, that’s the charm of Hawa Mahal. Hawal Mahal stands true to its name. The fort transports visitors to an era by gone. For a moment one is just carried away by the breeze of splendour by seeing the sheer architecture and artistry which embodies the palace.
History of Hawa Mahal
A palace in Jaipur, which was build in 1798 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap singh. It is one of those tourist attractions which is a must in the itinerary of visitors from all over the world. Originally it was designed by the great architect Lal Chand Ustad. It is soaked in Hindu mythology. The very architecture depicts Lord Krishna’s crown.Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan, it is 15 m in height and also embodies the royal architecture of Mughal period. The very amalgamation of these cultures exhibits a unique master piece which is a treat to the eyes and delight to our aesthetic abilities.
It is also popularly known as Palace of Winds or Palace of Breeze. The five storied palace resembles a honey comb of a beehive. There are 953 windows intricately designed with latticework. These are called as “Charkhas”. During those days ladies of the palace could not often go out so these charkhas helped them to have a watch of the world outside. Apart from that the lattice was used to pass on the cool air which was generated by Venturi effect. It created an air conditioning effect when the atmosphere was too hot during summers.
Architectural Pattern: It is made in the shape of a pyramid. The interiors are quite a treat to the eyes with marble all around which are of varied colours and have inlaid panels and gildin.There is a fountain which is positioned at the centre of the courtyard. The porthole has small windows and the grills are made of sandstones carved artistically.
Lal Chand Ustad was the main architect of this palace, Hawa Mahal complements the colour of the City of Jaipur. The mahal has a tinge of pink and red sandstone. The great amalgamation work which shows a blend of Rajput artistic skills and Mughal architecture is worth a visit.
The fluted pillars, doomed canopies, lotus and floral patterns are an embodiment of Rajaputana style while the Islamic style is very much evident in the filigree work and arches. It has quite a great similarity with Fatehpur Sikri. Maharaja Jai Singh used to have a great affinity towards Hawa Mahal due to its artistic interiors which was quiet attractive and the overall ambience with cool air passing on through the fountains was great for a healthy life style.
Hawa Mahal is a must to visit for those who are traveling to the Pink City. It is also called the “specimen of fanciful architecture.” Located in the southern part of Jaipur City, it is at the intersection of main road.
One thing which the visitors should take into note that the entry to Hawa Mahal is not from the front gate but from a side road to the rear end. There are lot of other attractions in an around Hawa mahal. An array of luxurious and convenient hotels can be found easily from Hawa Mahal.