Hawa Mahal The Cultural Heritage of Rajasthan;

Jaipur is the largest city in Rajasthan and is formally known as the Pink city of Rajasthan. Jaipur is state capital.

Situated approximately 300 kilometers from the Indian capital Delhi.

• Hawa Mahal is made of Red and pink sandstone.

A well-known shopping and handicrafts paradise, Jaipur has become well known for its breezy Hawa Mahal, popularly known as "The Palace of Winds".

Known as Jaipur's signature building, the Hawa Mahal, is a multi-layered palace, built by Sawai Pratap Singh, who was grand son of Sawai Jai Singh and son of Sawai Madhoo Singh in 1799 AD and Mr. Lal Chand Usta was the architect.

The palace sits on the edge of the City Palace, Jaipur, The Hawa Mahal is also known as The Palace of Winds" or "The Palace of Breeze",

The Hawa Mahal is a part of the Jaipur city palace.

It has five floors, the mahal has a unique back portion that consists of whopping "953 small windows" called Jharokhas decorated with intricate latticework. Latticework is an openwork framework consisting of a criss-crossed pattern of strips of building material, typically wood or metal.

Front of the mahal looks beautiful, as it is ornate and complementing the back portion of the Hawa Mahal. While the inner part that is way too simple and soothing.

In fact, the pretty much characterises what for, on the inside the building is no more than a series of corridors with windows overlooking the street.

This palace rises to about 50 feet (15 m). The top three floors of the structure have the width of a single room, while the first and second floors have patios in front of them.

The back elevation, as seen from the street, is like a honeycomb with small portholes. Each porthole has miniature windows and carved sandstone grills, finials and domes. It gives the appearance of a mass of semi-octagonal bays, giving the monument its unique look.

The inner face on the back side of the building consists of chambers built with pillars and corridors with minimal ornamentation, and reach up to the top floor. The interior of the palace has been described as "having rooms of different coloured marbles, relieved by inlaid panels or gilding; while fountains adorn the centre of the courtyard".

Its purpose was simply to allow the royal women a view of ceremonial processions while seated behind the small windows. Allowing them to look out without themselves being seen.

Famous for it's beehive like structure, the Hawa Mahal is interplay of red and pink sandstone, carefully and painstakingly outline with white borders and motifs.

The palace which was built and used by royal family, is now a living monument, accepted quite naturally into the lifestyle of the people of Jaipur.

Day to day life goes with its full flow just in front of the monument, locals and tourists do take a glance at its beautiful structure, and just pass by it. The Hawa Mahal is a part of Jaipur and its locals.