Hawa Mahal

Hawa Mahal Jaipur - Places to Visit in Jaipur - Jaipur Attractions

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• published: 22 Apr 2013
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Hawa Mahal Jaipur is the icon of Jaipur city and hence one of the major places to visit in Jaipur. Hawa Mahal Jaipur have more than 900 niches and a mass of semi-octagonal bays which makes Hawa Mahal a wonder of India. Basically, Hawa Mahal is 87 feet high thin shield which is less than a foot in thickness. The Mahal (palace) is shaped like a "Mukut" or crown, which adorns the Lords's head. Hawa Mahal at Bari Chaupar, Jaipur was built in 1799 A.D. by Maharaja Pratap Singh (1778-1803 A.D.). The chief architect of the palace was Usta Lal Chand. Hawa Mahal is a five storied building has two large courts. The names of the five stories are: Sharad Mandir, the first one where the autumn celebrations took place. The second story is known as Ratan Mandir because of the dazzling glass work on its walls. The third story is called Vichitra Mandir, where the Maharaja worshiped his deity Lord Krishna and the fourth Prakash Mandir with an open terrace on both sides. The fifth story is known as Hawa Mandir after which the whole structure came to be known as Hawa Mahal. Sawai Pratap Singh was a devotee of Lord Krishna and he dedicated Hawa Mahal to his deity. This five storied pyramid shaped structure is made up of small casements, each with tiny windows and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. This unusual structure is more like a screen than a palace, its top three stories are just a single room thick and at the base are two courtyards. Hawa Mahal was build at a time when ladies of the royal household observed very strict "pardaa". This unusual palace, with its screened balconies provided them with an opportunity to watch processions and other activities on the streets without being observed themselves. The openings here are more like peep holes, partially blocked by fine lattice work in lime plaster and some with plain wooden windows. Hawa Mahal, still lives up to its name - one is almost swept away by the cool breeze as one climbs up to the balconies. One very interesting fact of Hawa Mahal is that the elaborated and decorative elements exist only on one side. There is a total lack of ornamentation on the inner face of the building. The chambers are plain and more a mass of pillars, passages, carved sandstone grills, finials and domes leading to the top story. Hawa Mahal is a remarkable structure which overlooks one of the main streets and also provides some excellent views of the city. Hawa Mahal is an icon of Jaipur the Pink City and hence always in "must to visit" list of tourists on Jaipur tour. Hawa Mahal Information:- 1. Built in year 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh. 2. Address : Badi Choupad, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002, India 3. Phone: +91 141 260 1889 4. Architectural style: Mughal architecture 5. Timings : 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Book your Jaipur tour at http://www.jaipurthepinkcity.com/flights_hotels_tour_booking.htm Subscribe us at Youtube for Jaipur Videos : http://www.youtube.com/user/jaipurthepinkcity Website: http://www.jaipurthepinkcity.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaipurthepinkcity.india