Hawa Mahal and the Bazaar area, Jaipur

Jaipur, also known as Pink City, is the capital of the Rajasthan state. The entire city was painted pink (a colour associated with hospitality) in 1876 (under Maharaja Ram Singh) to welcome the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII).

Hawa Mahal (or Palace of Winds) was built (in 1799) to allow the royal ladies to observe everyday life and processions in the street below without being seen. The 953 small windows allow the ladies to do so, and the breeze (hawa) which circulates through these windows gives the palace its name, and keeps it cool even in the hot month. The 5-storey building is constructed of red and pink sandstones.

Hawa Mahal (above and below)


Pink colour buildings dominate the city

Street where Hawa Mahal is located

A rare scene – elephants walking around in the city

Looking at the shops is just like

looking through a kaleidoscope!



Shoes and more shoes


Street barber

Fatehpur Sikri Mosque