Hawa Mahal — the "Palace of Winds" — is the most photographed building in Jaipur and one of the defining images of Rajasthan. Its five-storey pink-and-red sandstone facade, pierced by 953 small windows, rises straight from a busy street in the heart of the old walled city.
Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the palace was designed so the royal women could watch processions and street life below without being seen. This guide covers its history, architecture, the best time to photograph it, timings, tickets and what lies nearby. For the wider city, see our places to visit in Jaipur and things to do in Jaipur guides.
The history of Hawa Mahal
Hawa Mahal was commissioned in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, grandson of Jaipur's founder Sawai Jai Singh II, and designed by the architect Lal Chand Ustad. It was conceived as an extension of the City Palace's women's chambers.
In keeping with the purdah customs of the time, the palace allowed the ladies of the royal household to observe festivals, weddings and everyday bustle in the street below while remaining hidden from public view. Its form is also said to be inspired by the crown of Lord Krishna.
Architecture: the 953 windows
The famous facade is the rear of the palace, designed like a honeycomb screen with 953 small windows (jharokhas), each topped by a tiny dome and decorated with delicate latticework (jaali).
This intricate screen was more than decorative: the many openings funnel breeze through the structure, creating a natural cooling effect — the "venturi" airflow that gives the Palace of Winds its name and keeps it pleasant even in Jaipur's heat.
Although it looks tall and grand, the palace is surprisingly thin — barely a single room deep in places — and rises through five tapering storeys connected by ramps rather than stairs. From the upper levels there are fine views over the bazaars and toward the City Palace and Jantar Mantar.
Best time for photos
The classic shot of Hawa Mahal is taken from across the road — most famously from the rooftop cafes opposite, which charge a small entry or a price for a drink. The pink-and-gold facade faces east, so it is lit beautifully by the early-morning sun.
Arrive around sunrise to roughly 9:00 AM for warm light and far fewer crowds and vehicles cluttering the frame. Photographing the front facade is free from the street; going inside the palace is separately ticketed.
Hawa Mahal timings & ticket prices
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (daily; last entry shortly before closing) |
| Indian adult ticket | Around Rs 50 (approx; subject to revision) |
| Foreign adult ticket | Around Rs 200 (approx; subject to revision) |
| Composite ticket | A combined Jaipur ticket also covers Amer, Jaigarh, Nahargarh, Jantar Mantar and Albert Hall |
| Photographing the facade | Free from the street; rooftop cafes opposite charge a small fee |
| Time needed | 30 to 45 minutes inside |
How to reach & what is nearby
Hawa Mahal sits on Badi Chaupar in the heart of the old walled city and is easily reached by auto-rickshaw, taxi or app cab; the entrance to go inside is via a lane to the side and rear, not the famous front facade.
It pairs naturally with the nearby City Palace and Jantar Mantar, both a short walk away, and the surrounding Johari and Tripolia bazaars for gemstones, textiles and bangles. Most visitors cover all of these together on a single old-city day — see our places to visit in Jaipur guide.
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