About Hawa Mahal
Resembling Krishna’s crown, Hawa Mahal is an elaborate monument in Jaipur. Standing right in the middle of the old market of Jaipur, the structure made of red and pink sandstone keeps the name of the Pink City very proudly.
Lal Chand Ustad has put a lot of effort in designing the back of the palace to blend in the city, which is now also confused as the front by people.
Also known as ‘The Palace of Winds’, the Hawa Mahal is a part of the City Palace. There is no entrance from the main road to the mahal, so you have to seek for the gate which let you enter. Inside are five floors designed very carefully.
There are 953 ‘jharokhas’ made to allow the winds to pass into the palace and keep it fresh and breezy in sweltering summers.
Being surrounded by the traditional market of Jaipur, you will find all the authentic pieces of souvenirs related to the culture and the history of Jaipur.
Hence, you can club shopping while visiting the palace.
Make sure to spend your entire evening shopping traditional souvenirs and then wait for dusk to draw upon only to see the colourfully lit Hawa Mahal standing amidst the bustling market.
History of Hawa Mahal Jaipur -

Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh who was the grandson of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The story of the birth of the palace started when Pratap visited Jhunjhunu and saw Khetri Mahal.
Maharaj was impressed by the unique design of the Khetri Mahal, and that was when he decided to create a better version of it. Lal Chand Ustad designed this palace and ended up making one of the best monuments history has ever created.
The primary purpose for creating this palace was to give royal women a separate place. From Hawa Mahal, they could enjoy the everyday lives and celebrations of the festival through the windows without being seen as they weren’t allowed to go out in public without a veil.
From then on, it has been preserved to keep the glory and grace alive for the generations to come.
Architecture of Hawa Mahal Jaipur -

Hawa Mahal is an excellent example of Hindu Rajput architecture finely blended with Islamic Mughal architecture giving it the face it is famous for.
It is made with red and pink sandstone along with white marble inside the palace.
The look of the palace observed from the street looks extremely beautiful, and people mistake it with the entrance of the palace.
Actually, it is the backside of the palace as it is an extended part of the main City Palace. It has five floors adorned with 953 jharokhas and latticework.
The technology of Venturi effect is utilised well to make the air coming inside the palace cool.
This effect always helped the Hawa Mahal stay serene and pleasant, so royal women never had a problem staying here in hot temperatures.
At several times, the entire royal family used to get together here and escape the summers together.
This honeycomb-like monument is a proud heritage left by the bygone era, which is an integral part of the history as well as architecture.
How to Reach Hawa Mahal
From Airport -

Jaipur Airport is 12.2 KM from the beautiful Hawa Mahal. You can hire a taxi from the exit of the airport to drive to the palace.
Booking cabs or bikes online are also an option which is undoubtedly better than hiring from the airport.
Lastly, you can catch a local bus from the stop near the airport, which is the most cost-effective way of travelling.
Best Time to Visit Hawa Mahal
Best time to visit Hawa Mahal is winter from October to March. It is the time in Jaipur when the average temperatures will be way better than the daily temperatures of the summer days. You can easily roam around the city exploring places without getting irritated and dehydrated.
What Not to Miss at Hawa Mahal
Nearby Tourist Attractions of Hawa mahal

Jaipur shares a generous slice of history, loading it with numerous architectural delights. There are a few nearby tourist attractions of Hawa Mahal which you can include in the plan while visiting Hawa Mahal:
Pink-City Market: Market of the old Jaipur is famous among outside tourists as it is a hub for traditional items.
The palace is right in the market so you can club your visit with shopping without any extra efforts.
City Palace: It is situated at walkable distance from the palace. City Palace is a museum which is the last residence of the royal family and home for a lot of antique items you would wish to see.
Jantar Mantar: It is situated right outside the City Palace, and one should visit it immediately after the City Palace.
It is suggested to hire a guide to help you know about all the structures inside the Jantar Mantar.
Albert Hall Museum: Albert Hall Museum is a hub of all the valuable antiques possessed by the royal families of Jaipur. It is a perfect delight for the eyes which seek beautiful possessions of the royal people.
Amer Fort: Words would not be enough to describe its grandeur. It is a magnificent structure depicting the princely tales of the royal families.
Although it should not be clubbed with the visit to the Hawa Mahal as Amer Fort will take more than half a day to explore.
Nahargarh Fort: It is an ancient fort situated on the top of one of the Aravali Hills. It is the best place to watch the sun rising from behind the clustered city of Jaipur.
Jal Mahal: It is a delightful palace set amidst the artificial Man Sagar lake. Though you are not allowed to enter the palace but watching it from outside is no less than a treat to the eyes.
Maharani ki Chhatriyan: It is an underrated monument on the way to Jal Mahal. It is a garden with small structures made in the memory of every royal lady who died.
You can step inside and feel the tranquillity of the place.
Other Essential Information About Hawa Mahal
-Location: Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002
-Timings: 09:00 am to 05:00 pm; Visit back at night to look at the beautifully lit monument.
-Fee: INR 50 for Indian tourists and INR 200 for Foreign touristsCafes & Restaurants near Hawa Mahal Jaipur -

There are numerous cafes and restaurants near Hawa Mahal which you can explore. They all serve excellent Rajasthani cuisine along with some chosen recipes from around the world.
Tattoo Cafe: You can go to The Tattoo cafe and Lounge which is situated right in front of the Hawa Mahal giving picture-perfect views of it along with The City Palace,
The Nahargarh Fort, The Garh Ganesh and the entire Pink City.
Wind View Cafe: There is another restaurant adjacent to it which is Wind View Cafe. You can get traditional Rajasthani cuisine, North Indian cuisines, Italian food, finger food and a variety of beverages.
Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar: Lastly, you should not miss LMB, Lakshmi Mishthan Bhandar.
It is an amalgam of a sweet shop and a brilliant restaurant. It is highly suggested that you should visit this restaurant and try on their lip-smacking variety of food.Tips for Visiting Hawa Mahal Jaipur -

1. There are a lot of tips which could be given to keep in mind while visiting Hawa Mahal:
2. Visit the monument early in the morning and hike up the rooftop cafes in front of the palace. Click some good pictures from there while the sunlight enlightens the front of the palace.
3. Jantar Mantar and City Palace are at walking distance from Hawa Mahal. So make sure to plan all these three places together.
4. You should be aware that Hawa Mahal is located in the old market, which is very much famous for shopping for souvenirs and local Jaipur stuff. So plan accordingly.
5. Although the monument closes its entry at five in the evening but it is suggested to wait till night to click a picture of the colourfully lit monument from the outside.