Dotted with palaces, many of which are converted to hotels, the pink city of Jaipur, is a must visit city of Rajasthan on every tourist's tour itinerary. A well-known shopping and handicrafts paradise, Jaipur has become renowned for its windy 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.

This five storey building of unusual architecture designed by Lal Chand Usta, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry. The Hawa Mahal, part of the Jaipur City Palace complex is a familiar landmark. This five-story, pyramid-shaped structure has tier after tier of 953 small casements, each with tiny lattice worked (Jali) pink windows, small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices, exquisitely modeled and carved. These small windows circulate cool air (Hawa) even in hot months.

Famous for it's beehive like structure, the Hawa Mahal is an interplay of red and pink sand stone, carefully and intricately outlined with white borders and motifs. The monument with a spectacular view of Jaipur city with road avenues, intersections and colourful crowds in the market, was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions in the city without being seen by others. There are about more 900 of them in the Hawa Mahal.