Jaipur Attractions

Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal)

The Palace of the Winds is Jaipur’s most acclaimed attraction. Built in 1799, it is situated on the edge of the City Palace complex overlooking one of the city’s main streets and was constructed to offer the women of the court a vantage point, behind stone-carved screens, from which to watch the activity in the bazaars below. The five-storey building is shaped like a crown adorning Lord Krishna’s head and contains over five hundred finely screened windows and balconies. The building, however, is smaller than one might imagine. Although the primary appeal is the finely carved pink façade, visitors can go inside to see where the women once sat and view the intricate honeycombed stonework close-up.

Address: Sireh Deori Bazaar; Telephone: (0141) 376 362; Opening time: Saturday to Thursday, 9.30am to 4.30pm; Admission: Rs. 5 entrance fee and Rs. 30 photography charge