|
|
|
| Sunday, 25 September 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Palace of the Winds
The impressive Hawa Mahal was constructed in 1799. It was designed by Lal Chand Ustad and built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. It is a stunning example of Rajput artistry with its pink, semi-octagonal sandstone windows. Designed as a beehive castle, it is made in red and pink sandstone, and comprises complicated motifs painted with lime and white borders. Despite its towering height and length, the Hawa Mahal looks like a light, airy structure. It was originally built to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city, without being observed by passers-by. It overlooks the main street and provides an excellent view of the old city. Although the Hawa Mahal is one of Jaipur's more prominent landmarks, it is actually little more than a facade. When seen from a distance, the Hawa Mahal looks like a palace with big, spacious rooms inside. But on closer inspection, you realise that the inside is not as big as it had first seemed. The interiors of the structure is plain with not much architectural splendour.The halls and chambers are undamaged and simple with pillars and passages that lead to the top storey. The whole structure is modelled to match a crown adorning Lord Krishna's head. This monument has carved pink windows, spacious balconies and elliptical roofs with immaculate (flawless) hanging cornices(ornamental moulding round the top of an indoor wall). The carved windows make the premises quite cool and airy. It is complete with numerous arches, spires and 953 latticed windows. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
Our neighbouring country India can boast of many ancient as well as
modern buildings which are known as international landmarks. We have
already featured some of them. Today we feature another one of them, this
time in the city of Jaipur. The Hawa Mahal, popularly known as the Palace
of the Winds, is located in the Sardeohi Bazaar in Jaipur, and is the
city's best-known monument. It is a multi-layered five-storey palace with
a profusion of windows and stone screens. 
