Plizio Visual Lab

Hawa Mahal

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Landmark

Weather…

Hawa Mahal, or the 'Palace of Winds,' is a signature landmark of Jaipur, Rajasthan, commissioned in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. The building is renowned for its extraordinary five-story exterior facade constructed of red and pink sandstone, designed to resemble the crown of Lord Krishna. Its most distinctive feature is the 953 small casements, known as jharokhas, each decorated with intricate latticework. These windows were designed to allow royal ladies to observe street festivities and daily life without being seen by the public, adhering to strict purdah customs. The honeycomb structure facilitates a natural cooling system via the Venturi effect, channeling cool breezes through the interior during the scorching summer months. Notably, the palace lacks conventional stairs, using internal ramps to connect its different levels. It stands as a pinnacle of Rajput architecture and remains a central attraction within Jaipur’s historic Pink City.

Location: India
Top sights: Hawa Mahal · City Palace · Sisodiya Rani Bagh

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Nov.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	15	18	24	31	35	35	31	29	28	26	21	16
Rain mm	7	11	12	11	18	66	169	193	72	13	5	4

📋 Practical info

🚪

Visiting

Hawa Mahal is a publicly accessible palace in Jaipur that can be freely viewed from the outside at any time. The interior is also open to visitors, but at specific times.

🕒

Typical hours

The interior of the palace typically has fixed opening hours, usually starting in the late morning. It is advisable to check in advance at the tourist information office.

📷

Photography

Photography from the outside is allowed at any time without restrictions. For the best shots of the facade, use the opposite side of the street or a higher vantage point.

⏱️

Time needed

Allow about 30 minutes for the exterior viewing. If you also want to visit the interior, plan for about an hour in total.

➕

Combine with

Combine the visit with the nearby City Palace and Jantar Mantar observatory. These attractions are all located in the heart of Jaipur's old city.

🧭

Getting there

Hawa Mahal is centrally located in Jaipur's old city and is easily reachable on foot, by rickshaw, or taxi. From Jaipur railway station, it is about a 15-minute drive.

💡

Insider tip

Visit Hawa Mahal early morning when the sun bathes the pink facade in warm light. Cross to the opposite side of the street for the best panoramic photo.

Geography

Coordinates

26.92390, 75.82670

Facts

Hawa Mahal was completed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.
The structure features exactly 953 small latticed windows.
The architect of this unique palace was Lal Chand Ustad.
It is often cited as the tallest building in the world without a foundation.
Internal ramps instead of stairs connect the five stories of the palace.
The palace is only about one-room deep at its top floors.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Amer Fort3 km · NEExplore →

Jaipur4 km · SExplore →

Khetri Copper Mine29 km · EExplore →

Ranthambore National Park73 km · NExplore →

Chambal Valley79 km · NExplore →

Ludhiana108 km · EExplore →

Indore114 km · WExplore →

Satpura Range135 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Hawa Mahal (19)

Hawa Mahal 📍 landmark

The Palace of Winds, featuring an iconic facade of 953 small windows made of pink sandstone.

🕒 Mon-Su 09:00-18:30

City Palace 📍 landmark

A sprawling palace complex representing a harmonious blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

Sisodiya Rani Bagh 🏰 castle

A tiered garden decorated with murals depicting scenes from the life of Lord Krishna.

Nahargah Fort 🛡️ fortress

A fortress on a rocky ridge, known for its spectacular panoramic views over the pink city.

Albert Hall 🏛 museum

The oldest museum in the state, housed in a grand Indo-Saracenic building and featuring an Egyptian mummy.

💶

Royal Gaitor 🏺 historical

Royal cenotaphs of the Maharajas of Jaipur, featuring elaborate marble carvings and stone domes.

Jantar Mantar 📍 landmark

A UNESCO-listed astronomical observatory from the 18th century, housing the world's largest stone sundial.

Jaipur Wax Museum 🏛 museum

A museum located within Nahargarh Fort, featuring wax statues of famous Indian personalities and royal icons.

🌐 jaipurwaxmuseum.com🕒 Mo-Su 10:00-18:30💶

Turban museum 🏛 museum

This museum displays an extensive collection of traditional Rajasthani headgear in various styles and colors.

Chulgiri Digamber Jain Temple 🏰 castle

A significant Jain pilgrimage site atop a hill in the Aravalli Range, reached via a long flight of stairs.

Paanch Batti 🏺 historical

A prominent five-lamp monument located at one of the busiest traffic intersections in central Jaipur.

Suraj Pol Gate 🏺 historical

The imposing 'Sun Gate' serves as a historic entrance portal to the fortified old city of Jaipur.

Moti Doongri Fort 🛡️ fortress

A hilltop fortress modeled after a Scottish castle, overlooking the popular Birla Temple.

Temple Shri Gyan Gopalji ⛪ religious

A traditional Hindu temple in the old city dedicated to Lord Krishna, featuring ornate mural paintings.

Hanuman temple ⛪ religious

A hillside temple near Galtaji known for its spiritual atmosphere and the many monkeys.

Sun Temple, Jaipur ⛪ religious

This hilltop shrine features a wide panoramic view over the entire Pink City of Jaipur.

Jayanti Market 🎭 culture

A bustling commercial hub in Jaipur specializing primarily in electronic goods and household items.

Sikar House , Jaipur 🎭 culture

A traditional wholesale market famous for its textiles and handcrafted Rajasthani footwear.

Sari market 🎭 culture

A colorful bazaar section dedicated entirely to traditional Indian silk and cotton saris.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why does Hawa Mahal have so many windows?

The 953 windows allowed royal ladies to observe street life and festivals without being seen by the public.

Is there an elevator to the top?

No, there are no stairs or elevators; instead, there are ramps leading to the upper floors.

Where is the best photo spot?

The rooftop cafes across the street offer the best panoramic views of the entire facade.

How long does a visit take?

A visit usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes to explore the courtyard and various levels.

Where is the entrance located?

The entrance is not from the main facade side but from the back, through the City Palace complex side.

Hawa Mahal: where is it located?

Hawa Mahal is located in India.

Hawa Mahal: what is there to see?

Highlights include Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Sisodiya Rani Bagh.

Hawa Mahal: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Feb, Mar, Nov.

Hawa Mahal: why is it worth visiting?

Hawa Mahal, or the 'Palace of Winds,' is a signature landmark of Jaipur, Rajasthan, commissioned in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Hawa Mahal

Best time to visit & climate