HAWA MAHAL (PALACE OF THE WINDS)
A 5-storey palace with an ochre-coloured facade and almost 10 windows, worth a visit to enjoy the view from the top
The Palais des Vents, with its ochre facade and dozens of windows, is five storeys high. It's a good idea to get a feel for the building from the street before visiting it. It's even better to have a drink on the terrace of Tattoo Coffee and take a few photos. It's best to get there in the morning to enjoy the soft light and take photos without the traffic. You'll also be less harassed by the bazaar merchants. Decorated with 61 jharokha (loggias with openwork stone windows) and 953 windows, the palace was built in 1799 to allow the princesses of the court to contemplate the spectacle of the street and the parades without being seen by the public. At the time, they had to abide by the strict "purda" rule, which obliged them to hide from any foreign gaze. The Hawa Mahal was connected to the zenana (women's quarter) of the City Palace. It owes its name to the refreshing breeze(hawa) that filters through its ingenious openings. It soon became a summer palace for the king and his wives.
Once inside the monument (access via the rear of the building, signposted from the street), you'll quickly realize that it's actually a large wall overlooking the street. Apart from a few sets of staircases and corridors, the palace doesn't contain much. We do, however, recommend climbing to the very top, where the view of the grid plan of the old town and the City Palace is breathtaking.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
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