Hawa Mahal, Jaipur: Timings, Tickets and Where to Stand for the Photograph

Hawa Mahal is the face of Jaipur. Five storeys of pink and red sandstone rise above a busy street, pierced by 953 small windows. Most people photograph it from the road and move on.

That is half the story. The building is a screen, not a palace, and the best part is behind it. This guide gives you the practical facts first, then a short walk through the five floors, then the best place to stand for the picture.

Figures were checked in October 2026. Sources disagree on ticket prices, so the tables show ranges where they do. Confirm at the counter.

Hawa Mahal at a glance

A short history

Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh built Hawa Mahal in 1799 as an extension of the City Palace. The architect was Lal Chand Ustad. The purpose was practical. Royal women kept purdah and could not appear in public. The screen of windows let them watch street festivals and processions without being seen.

The design is clever as well as pretty. Air passes through the many small openings and cools the rooms behind, which is how the Palace of Winds got its name. The style mixes Rajput domes and canopies with Mughal arches and lattice work.

The east facade from across the road.

Opening hours and tickets

The composite ticket covers several Jaipur monuments over two days. Older websites quote much lower prices, and Rajasthan revised its rates in 2026, so treat the numbers as a guide. The Department of Archaeology and Museums, Rajasthan, sets them.

Finding the entrance

This is where most visitors get lost. There is no door on the main road. Facing the front, you walk round to the side and follow a lane to an archway that leads to the back of the building. Several sources describe the approach as coming from the City Palace side.

Tell your driver you want the ticket entrance at the back, or have your guide meet you at the ticket window. It saves ten minutes of wandering.

The five floors

Each floor is a small pavilion with its own name. Together they climb the facade.

There are no grand rooms. The pleasure is in the ramps, the narrow stairs and the way the light falls through the lattice. A small museum holds miniatures and relics.

The jharokha windows, seen from close to the wall.

Where to stand for the photograph

The facade is best seen from across the road. Several cafes on the opposite side have rooftop tables with a straight view. Go for sunrise, order a coffee and wait for the first light to reach the top floor.

Photographers should note that the street fills with traffic by about 9:30 am. Arrive early, and shoot the building before you enter it.

Best timing by month

The facade faces east, so the light is best from sunrise to mid-morning. Sunrise and sunset below are calculated for Jaipur on the 15th of each month, in Indian Standard Time. The interior opens at about 9:00 am, well after sunrise, so the street view and the interior need separate plans.

Choosing your time of day

Who Hawa Mahal suits

What to pair it with

Hawa Mahal sits in the old city, next to several of Jaipur's best stops.

• City Palace is a short walk away. Part of it is still a royal residence.

• Jantar Mantar, the eighteenth-century open-air observatory, is next door.

• Amber Fort is the grand hill fort outside the city. Read our Amber Fort visitor guide to plan it.

• Johari and Bapu Bazaars run close by, selling textiles, jewellery and mojari shoes. See our guide to the crafts and textiles trail.

How to plan your visit

1. Go for sunrise to see the facade at its best.

2. Have breakfast across the road and take your photographs first.

3. Walk round to the rear entrance for the interior at about 9:00 am.

4. Buy a composite ticket if you plan to see two or three more monuments.

5. Add the City Palace in the same morning, as it is close.

6. Keep the afternoon for the bazaars or a rest.

Where it fits in Rajasthan

Jaipur is usually the first Rajasthan stop. Our guide to the order of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur explains how to link the cities, and the Rajasthan highlights field guide puts Jaipur in context.

For a stay with a real sense of occasion, Rambagh Palace was once a maharaja's residence. See how Jaipur sits in a route in the Rajasthan Golden Cities, 4 days itinerary or the Rajasthan Royal Heritage package.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Hawa Mahal timings?

Daily, from about 9:00 am to 4:30 or 5:00 pm. Sources differ slightly, so confirm on the day.

How much is the Hawa Mahal ticket?

About ₹50 for Indian visitors and about ₹200 for foreign visitors. Older sources quote lower figures. A composite ticket covers several Jaipur monuments for two days.

Where is the entrance to Hawa Mahal?

At the back, reached by a lane and an archway from the City Palace side. There is no entry from the main road.

What is the best time to see Hawa Mahal?

Early morning. The front faces east, so the stone glows in the first hours after sunrise, and the street is quieter.

Why does it have 953 windows?

The windows let royal women watch the street without being seen, and they let air flow through the building to cool it.

How long does Hawa Mahal take?

About an hour inside. Allow more if you stop for breakfast or photographs across the road.

Can you go to the top?

Yes. The fifth floor, Hawa Mandir, is open and has a view across the old city.

Plan your Jaipur visit with us

We time Jaipur mornings around the light and the crowds. Explore the Rajasthan destination page or talk to a trip designer.

Photo credits

East facade: Chainwit., CC BY-SA 4.0. Jharokha windows: Wander-earth, CC BY-SA 4.0. Both via Wikimedia Commons.