Built for women to peek at the streets from inside: India’s “Palace of Winds” with 953 windows across 7 floors

Reported and photographed by journalist You Ru / India
 
India is truly a magical country—its historical architecture is incredibly exquisite, yet the streets are bustling with traffic and chaotic with urban clutter. The scenery here exists in stark contrast. One such place is the “Hawa Mahal” (Palace of Winds) in the Indian city of Jaipur, built for women to peek at the streets from inside, with 953 windows across 7 floors. That’s the way it is. Standing before this historic structure, you marvel at its breathtaking beauty while dodging wandering cows, monkeys, and a constant flow of traffic and crowds.


▲The “Hawa Mahal” (Palace of Winds) in the Indian city of Jaipur.

Jaipur’s old town, known as the “Pink City.” In 1876, the Maharaja of Jaipur had the entire city painted pink to welcome the visit of the Prince of Wales from Britain. Since then, the city has been bathed in shades of pink and deep red, a color scheme that has endured to this day. The scenery in Jaipur is entirely different from the chaotic charm of Delhi or the utter disarray of Agra, home to the Taj Mahal.

When you drive into Jaipur, the first thing that catches your eye is the pink city gate, followed by rows of one-story pink buildings neatly lined up, with shops displaying colorful clothing, scarves, and other goods. Once you arrive in Jaipur, you can’t miss it—the city’s striking hues seem to leap out from India’s vibrant palette, standing out amidst the endless sea of people and traffic. It’s a captivating city.

Jaipur boasts many attractions, including its observatory, City Palace Museum, and the Water Palace. The city’s street-side shops have even earned it the title of “Best Shopping Destination in North India.” But among its architectural landmarks, the “Hawa Mahal” (Palace of Winds)—a beautifully named iconic structure—is an absolute must-visit. Located in the heart of Jaipur’s old town, it features a dense array of 953 windows.


▲The Jantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur is India’s best-preserved ancient astronomical observatory. It has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Composed of multiple fixed astronomical instruments, it remains functional for timekeeping to this day.


▲The Water Palace was once a summer retreat for the king.


▲%The museum houses... (incomplete sentence)


The five-story, brick-red “Hawa Mahal” was built in 1799. Its name comes from the fact that a breeze can be felt from almost any spot within the building. The palace was originally constructed so that the royal women and concubines could look out onto the streets without being seen by passersby.

The walls of the Hawa Mahal are covered in a total of 953 windows, with no solid structure behind them—the back is open. Each window is uniquely shaped like a half-octagon, and some describe the palace as resembling a dense honeycomb, which is quite fitting.


▲%A view showing the dense arrangement of windows.





▲The walls feature 953 windows, all shaped like half-octagons.

Rita, a guide from Siji Travel, a specialist in Indian tours, points out that during India’s “Holi Festival” around March each year, the Hawa Mahal welcomes 953 girls dressed in red, who peer out from the windows to celebrate the festive event. This age-old tradition has become one of the must-see sights of Holi.

To photograph the Hawa Mahal, you need to step back a few paces to the other side of the street. Interestingly, while taking photos, you have to watch out for suddenly appearing cows and the chaotic flow of people and traffic. The surrounding market scene is a jumble. Vendors may even call out repeatedly in Chinese or English: “How long are you taking? Come shop after!” Amidst the contrast of the stunning, almost frozen-in-time architecture, you might occasionally see someone riding an elephant past the palace—an unforgettable sight in India.

%The journalist did not enter the building’s interior but observed from outside.


Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
Address: Hawa Mahal Rd, Badi Choupad, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002 India
Opening Hours: 09:00–17:00
Phone: +91 141 261 8862
Transportation Info: China Airlines operates three flights per week to India, with a flight time of about 6 hours. Alternatively, you can contact Siji Travel.