Did you know that Hawa Mahal, is the world’s tallest structure with no foundation? Carved out of red and pink sandstone, this five-storeyed red and pink palace in Jaipur is one of Rajasthan's most famous monuments.
Built in 1799 AD by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Hawa Mahal is a blend of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. But, leaving everything aside the most interesting fact about this marvelous 5-storeyed structure is it actually stands without a foundation! Yes, the monument stands upright because of its pyramidal shape, which is curved and is leaning at an angle of 87 degrees!
Although there are many reasons being cited behind the construction of the fort, the main is the “Purdah system”, followed by the Rajputs. At that time, Rajput royal women did not appear in public or in front of strangers, but they were keen on observing daily life on the streets. Therefore, for their benefit that the Hawa Mahal was built, complete with small windows and screened balconies, from where they can have a look outside, without appearing in public.
A Traveller Mohit Paul from Pune shares, “The pink city has definitely lots of things to visit and one of them is Hawa Mahal which is one of best mahal I have ever seen in my life. Here I came to know the history of our country. Dedicated to the Lord Krishna as it looks like a crown that often spruce the God's Head.”
Another visitor from Bangalore, Rajesh K. says, “Hawa Mahal is a palace on winds, the building has no foundations and has 953 windows. It was planned by the same architect who planned Jaipur. The temperature in palace is unbelievably low compared the temperature outside as hundreds of windows help in cross circulation. No wonder this was Jai Singhs favourite palace.”
Having designed by Lal Chand Ustad in the shape of Lord Krishna's crown, this monument is best viewed in the early morning when the palace is lit up in golden hues of the sunrise.
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