Hawa Mahal or The Palace of Wind, is the most impressive monument in Jaipur. The major landmark of Jaipur, Hawa Mahal is a multi layered palace, which was built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in the year 1799. The magnificent five storeyed palace overlooking one of the main streets of Jaipur, was originally built for the women, so that they can watch the activities taking place is in the nearby market and surrounding streets. The palace offer splendour views of the pink city, including the old palaces and pink-painted houses. People who climb up to the balconies of Hawa Mahal, are almost swept away by the cool breeze.
The Palace has its entrance from the rare side of the main building, through a stately door. It has not the entry from front portion, like the conventional buildings. The entrance opens onto a spacious courtyard, which is surrounded from three sides by a double-storeyed building. A small archaeological museum is situated here. On the eastern wing there are three more storeys, which is just one room wide. The building stands on a high podium, which give this palace its unique facade. There are no regular stairs to reach the upper floors, but only ramps.
