Wind Palace

The Hawa Mahal, or ‘Palace of the Winds’ in Jaipur’s Pink City is named after all the little windows that allow the cooling breeze through the rooms. The windows also allowed the royal women a peek at the outside world without being seen. They did not venture into the city very often, so these windows were probably a great source of entertainment.

The view from the courtyard.

Detailed painting on a door.

One of the many face-sized windows.

The height of the palace provided the royal women and now the Indian and foreign tourists with a spectacular view of the Pink City and the fort.

A few white tourists being admired by a cluster of Muslim women.

All photos courtesy Hannelore.