Facts that don’t lie about Hawa Mahal and its 953 jharokhas

Panchali DeyPanchali Dey/Times Travel Editor/TRAVEL TRENDS, JAIPUR/ Created : Oct 15, 2018, 17:44 IST

Facts that don’t lie about Hawa Mahal and its 953 jharokhas

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Facts that don’t lie about Hawa Mahal and its 953 jharokhas

Rajasthan is a place of many wonders, and Hawa Mahal is one such. Just like its architecture that has the potential to amaze you, the history and facts of this monument will let you view this monument in a new light. It is one of the striking landmarks of Jaipur, famous for its pink latticed windows and balconies that offer a panoramic view of the city.

Often referred to as the ‘Palace of Winds’, it was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799 to facilitate ladies of the royal household to enjoy processions and observe crowd in the below street without being noticed by the people. Red and pink sandstone was used for constructing this monument, and the unique five-storey exterior looks like the honeycomb of a beehive, which has numerous small windows (jharokhas) further beautified with latticework.

In short, Hawa Mahal is one such attraction that if it is not included in your itinerary, it might be looked upon as a sin. Here are some interesting fun facts about this monument that you should bear in mind and check if you can relate to when you visit it.

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The crown shape
Hawa Mahal has been built in the shape of a crown. Some even compare the look to that of Krishna’s crown. Reason why it is related to Krishna’s crown is because Sawai Pratap Singh was believed to be a great devotee of Lord Krishna.

Tallest building in the world
The monument stands upright because of its pyramidal shape. It is a five-storey building, but due to the lack of solid foundations, it is curved and leans at an angle of 87 degree. Further, its distinctive rosy colour, which is because of the natural sandstone, is the reason behind Jaipur getting its nickname, .i.e., the Pink City.

953 windows
Hawa Mahal’s unique attraction is its 953 windows that cover the lace-like walls to allow royal ladies to watch the daily drama in the street below, without being noticed. The view of Hawa Mahal that we get from the street is essentially a huge screened porch, but one of the best examples of Rajput architecture in India.

Its architecture
Once you step into Hawa Mahal, you realise that you have stepped into a place that is a true reflection of a fusion of Islamic Mughal and Hindu Rajput architecture. While the Islamic style is evidently witnessed in the arches and stone inlay filigree work, the Rajput style can be seen in the form of fluted pillars, doomed canopies, and other floral patterns.

No stairs
Though Hawa Mahal is a five-storey building, it is interesting to note that there are no stairs to climb. There are, however, only ramps that will let to reach the top floors.

No front entrance
Hawa Mahal does not have a direct entrance; you will have to enter from the side of the City Palace.

If you have already visited this monument, don’t wallow in nostalgia. Visit it again and see if you can spot the fun facts surrounding this epic monument of Jaipur.