- Built
- 1799
- Built by
- Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh
- Architect
- Lal Chand Ustad
- Windows
- About 953 jharokhas
- Timings
- 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (museum closed Fridays)
- Best time
- October to February
- Ideal time needed
- About 1 hour
History and design
Royal Rajput women followed purdah and did not appear in public, so the palace was designed as a screen onto the city. The front has about 953 small windows, or jharokhas, fitted with fine stone lattice. The design mixes Rajput and Mughal elements, and the breeze drawn through the openings earned it the name Palace of Winds. Despite its tall front, the building is only a few rooms deep, and it is often said to stand without a conventional foundation.
What to see inside
Enter from the back, off the City Palace side, and climb ramps rather than stairs through the five levels. The upper floors give views over Siredeori Bazaar, the Jantar Mantar and City Palace. A small museum displays paintings, armour and royal objects. For the classic photograph of the facade, cross the road to one of the rooftop cafes opposite in the early morning, when the sandstone glows.
Timings and best time
Gates usually open at 9:30 AM and close at 4:30 PM, and the museum section stays shut on Fridays. Ticket prices differ for Indian and foreign visitors, and Jaipur's composite heritage ticket can cover it along with other monuments. October to February is the most comfortable season, as summer afternoons in Jaipur are very hot.
Tips for your visit
Wear comfortable footwear for the ramps and plan about an hour inside. The palace sits in the old walled city within walking distance of City Palace and Jantar Mantar, so all three fit into a half-day walk. We can arrange a Jaipur guide and car as part of a Golden Triangle or Rajasthan tour.
Also nearby
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