HAWA MAHAL
JAIPUR’S MAGNIFICENT ICONIC LANDMARK
The Hawa Mahal in Jaipur is considered as one of the most iconic attractions of the city. The five-storey
building looks like a honeycomb of a beehive and it is always windy inside, owing to the numerous
windows and jharokhas. This amazing ventilation that the palace enjoys is the reason why it was named
as the Hawa Mahal, which literally translates into the “Palace of the Winds”.
The main purpose behind the construction of this palace was to allow the ladies of the royal family and
the court to observe the busy streets of the Johari Bazaar from the many jharokhas of the palace,
without being seen themselves. The Hawa Mahal is a five-storey building, and it is the tallest building in
the world that has been built without a foundation. It has a curved architecture that leans at an 87
degree angle, and a pyramidal shape which has helped it stay erect for centuries.
The Hawa Mahal is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is said that the shape of the building resembles the
crown of Krishna. More than a palace, the Hawa Mahal is also a cultural and architectural marvel that
reflects a truly harmonious amalgamation of the Hindu Rajput and Islamic Mughal architectural styles.
The Rajput style can be seen in the domes canopies and the fluted pillars, while the stone inlay filigree
work and the arches are perfect depictions of the Mughal style of architecture.
