Jaipur's pink honeycomb façade, pierced by 953 little windows.
Hawa Mahal is in Jaipur. Entry is ₹50 for Indian visitors. It opens about 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Open all week. The best time is Sunrise, when the façade glows pink. Shoot it from a rooftop cafe opposite.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1799 |
| Built by | Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh |
| Style | Rajput (pink sandstone) |
| Feature | 953 jharokha windows |
| Location | Badi Chaupar, old city |
Hawa Mahal. The 'Palace of Winds'. Was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Its five-storey pink-sandstone façade is a honeycomb of 953 small windows, or jharokhas.
The lattice let royal women watch the street festivals below. Unseen, while the breeze kept the rooms cool. Seen from the street. It is the most photographed face in Jaipur.
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Hawa Mahal — Wikipedia.
What makes it special, and what to look for.
Key facts and figures — every data point links to its source.
| Detail | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1799, by Sawai Pratap Singh | Wikipedia |
| Architect | Lal Chand Ustad | Wikipedia |
| Windows (jharokhas) | 953 | Wikipedia |
| Storeys | Five | Wikipedia |
| Height | about 15 m (50 ft) | Wikipedia |
| Material | Red & pink sandstone | Wikipedia |
| Purpose | Screened views for royal women | Wikipedia |
| Restored | 2006 | Wikipedia |
| 2006 restoration | ₹4.57 million | Wikipedia |
| Rear façade | plain and unadorned | Wikipedia |
| Protected by | State archaeology dept | Wikipedia |
| Part of | the City Palace complex | Wikipedia |
| Shape recalls | Lord Krishna's crown | Wikipedia |
| Best light | the early morning sun | Wikipedia |
| Entry | from a rear lane | Wikipedia |
| Storeys taper | like a honeycomb | Wikipedia |
| Icon of | the Pink City | Wikipedia |
| Faces | the Sireh Deori bazaar | Wikipedia |
Sawai Pratap Singh built it in 1799. Lal Chand Ustad designed it. Pink sandstone gives its glow.
The façade holds 953 small windows. These carved jharokhas form a honeycomb. Royal women watched the street unseen.
The palace rises five storeys. It stands about 15 metres tall. Ramps, not stairs, climb it.
Cool air flows through the lattice. That gives its name, Palace of Winds. It was restored in 2006.
The front dazzles with carved screens. The back is plain by contrast. It was made only to be seen.
The lattice cools the interior. Breezes flow through all day. That gives the Palace of Winds its name.
Its outline recalls a crown. Some link it to Lord Krishna. The dawn sun lights it best.
The palace is Jaipur's calling card. Its pink screen fronts a busy bazaar. Photographers gather at dawn.
Royal women once watched from here. Purdah kept them from public view. The lattice let them see unseen.
Inside, ramps climb between floors. Coloured glass tints the light. The top gives rooftop city views.
The best view is from across the road. A rooftop cafe faces it. Come early to beat the crowds.
The structure is surprisingly thin. It is really one ornate wall. Depth was never the point.
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Hawa Mahal — Wikipedia.
Room by room, and detail by detail.
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Hawa Mahal — Wikipedia.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1799 | Pratap Singh builds the palace. |
| 1800s | Royal women use its screened windows. |
| 2006 | A major restoration is done. |
| 1950s | An earlier restoration is done. |
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Hawa Mahal — Wikipedia.
Fees and timings change from time to time. Confirm on the official site before you go.
| Visitor | Ticket |
|---|---|
| Indian | ₹50 |
| Indian student | ₹20 |
| Foreign tourist | ₹200 |
| Foreign student | ₹100 |
| Children under 7 | Free |
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | About 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. |
| Weekly closing | Open all week. |
| Best time to visit | Sunrise, when the façade glows pink. Shoot it from a rooftop cafe opposite. |
| How long to allow | One to two hours suits most visits. |
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Hawa Mahal — Wikipedia.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Location | Badi Chaupar, in the walled old city |
| Metro | Pink Line to Badi Chaupar, then a short walk |
| Mode | Best for | Book / source |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air | Reaching Jaipur from afar | IndiGo |
| 🚆 Rail | Trains across India | IRCTC |
| 🚕 Taxi / app cab | Door-to-door comfort | Uber / Ola |
| 🛺 Auto-rickshaw | Short local hops | meter / app |
Plan around India's seasons. Sunrise, when the façade glows pink. Shoot it from a rooftop cafe opposite.
| Season | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Oct–Mar | Cool, dry, pleasant | Best time to visit |
| ☀️ Apr–Jun | Hot on the plains | Go early; carry water |
| 🌧️ Jul–Sep | Warm, monsoon showers | Fewer crowds, green views |
Base yourself in Jaipur to visit with ease. It has stays for every budget. Book ahead in the cool season. Compare hotels on Booking.com. Find homes on Airbnb. See our Jaipur guide for the best areas.
The famous view is from the street, not inside.
Beat the crowds and the harsh light.
Arrive at opening time. You beat crowds, and heat.
A good guide brings the history alive.
Shade can be limited here.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 🎫 Entry (Indian) | ₹50 |
| 🎫 Entry (foreign) | Free |
| 🧑🏫 Local guide | ₹300–800 for a tour |
| 📷 Camera / video | Often a small extra fee |
| 🚕 Transport | ₹100–500 by auto or cab |
Costs are indicative. Confirm official rates on site.
Pair Hawa Mahal with sights close by. Together they make a full, rewarding day. Start early to beat the crowds and heat.
Indian visitors pay ₹50 and foreign visitors ₹200. Under-7s are free.
It is open daily from about 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
So royal women could watch street life and festivals unseen. Through its many windows.
It has 953 small windows, called jharokhas.
At sunrise, from a rooftop cafe across the street.
Location: Badi Chaupar. In the walled old city; Metro: Pink Line to Badi Chaupar. Then a short walk.
Yes. Jaipur's pink honeycomb façade, pierced by 953 little windows.
You can also visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Jaipur guide.
Stay in Jaipur. See our Jaipur guide.
Keep exploring around Jaipur.
