Hawa Mahal ("Palace of Winds" or “Palace of the Breeze”), is a palace in Jaipur, India
Image details
Contributor:
Inge Johnsson / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
DP9PCRFile size:
42.7 MB (3.8 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4075 x 3661 px | 34.5 x 31 cm | 13.6 x 12.2 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
23 November 2013Location:
Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, Rajasthan, IndiaMore information:
Hawa Mahal ("Palace of Winds" or “Palace of the Breeze”), is a palace in Jaipur, India. It was built in 1798 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, and designed by Lal Chand Ustad in the form of the crown of Krishna, the Hindu god. Its unique five-storey exterior is also akin to the honeycomb of the beehive with its 953 small windows called jharokhas that are decorated with intricate latticework. The original intention of the lattice was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen, since they had to observe strict "purdah" (face cover). Besides this, the lattice also provides cool air caused by the Venturi effect (doctor breeze) through the intricate pattern and thereby air conditioning the whole area during the high temperatures in summers. Built of red and pink sandstone, the palace is situated on the main thoroughfare in the heart of Jaipur’s business centre. It forms part of the City Palace, and extends to the Zenana or women's chambers, the chambers of the harem. It is particularly striking when viewed early in the morning, lit with the golden light of sunrise.