Hawa Mahal in Jaipur
The word Rajasthan immediately brings the images of a colourful, vibrant and lively state with colorfully attired people, ornate palaces, forts and, lakes and lovely gardens.
The state of Rajasthan is famous for historic forts and palaces. There are numerous forts and palaces in every city of the state that provide an opportunity to see and experience the royal beauty of the state.
Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan is home to a number of exotic forts and palaces and Hawa Mahal is the most famous among all. It is also is the most outstanding monument in the city. Overlooking main streets of the city, the palace was originally built to facilitate the royal women to see the activities in the bazaar and surrounding streets from inside the palace.
Located on the city centre of Jaipur, the Hawa Mahal is beautiful as a dream, even now. The meaning of Hawa is Wind and Mahal is Palace, so it literally means Palace of Winds or Palace of the Breeze. The name Hawa Mahal literally means Palace of Winds. This unique five storeyed complex and its exterior resembles a honeycomb of the beehive. The palace has 943 small windows, called jharokhas that are elegantly done up with intricate lattice work and pretty balconies that are well complimented by arched roofs with hanging cornices. These small windows were constructed to circulate air throughout the year and make the palace naturally cool especially in the summer seasons.
The top three floors of the structure have a dimension of one room width while the first and second floors have patios in front of them, on the rear side of the structure. The front elevation, as already mentioned above, is like a honeycomb web of a beehive built with small portholes. Each porthole has miniature windows and has carved sandstone grills, finials and domes. It is a veritable mass of semi-octagonal bays, which gives the monument its unique façade. The inner face on the back side of the building consists of need-based chambers built with pillars and corridors with least ornamentation, and reach up to the top floor. The interior of the Mahal has been described as having rooms of different coloured marbles, relieved by inlaid panels or gilding; while fountains adorn the centre of the courtyard.
The entrance to the Palace is from the City Palace complex through a stately door, which opens into a big courtyard. There is a small archeological museum here. Hawa Mahal should be visited in the morning when the golden glow of the rising sun seeps in through the jharokhas animating the whole structure with luminance of sheer magnificence.
The Hawa Mahal was built by Kachwaha Rajput Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 as a continuation of the Royal City Palace. He was the son of Maharaja Sawai Madhosingh I and grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh (who build Jaipur city in 1727). Hawa Mahal is a devotion to Loard Krishna (Hindu God) by Sawai Pratap Singh.
Hawa Mahal in jaipur is currently under the supervision of the State archaeological department and offers the tourists and opportunity to have an excellent view of the city. The best time to see Hawa Mahal is sunrise when sunlight through the latticed windows gives it a wonderful glow.
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