Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

The Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds, is an iconic landmark in the heart of Jaipur, India. This stunning five-story structure, made of red and pink sandstone, was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. The palace's unique façade, with 953 small windows called jharokhas, is not just a marvel of Rajput architecture but also a brilliant engineering solution to the scorching heat of Rajasthan.

Designed by architect Lal Chand Ustad, the Hawa Mahal was conceived to enable the women of the royal household to observe the street festivities while remaining unseen from the outside, in accordance with the strict rules of "purdah," which forbade them from appearing in public without a veil. The jharokhas are decorated with intricate latticework, which also allows the breeze to flow through the palace, keeping it cool even in the peak of summer – hence the name 'Palace of the Winds'.

Standing at the edge of the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal extends to the women's chambers or zenana. The structure does not have a foundation of its own and is instead supported by the buildings behind it. Although from the front it appears to be an elaborate façade, the Hawa Mahal is, in fact, quite deep with rooms spread across its five floors, including a museum that holds some rich remnants of the past.

The palace is accessible to tourists throughout the year. Visitors can climb up the narrow passages to reach the top for a panoramic view of the bustling city below and the nearby Jantar Mantar, another architectural wonder. The best time to visit the palace is early morning when the golden rays of the sun light up the façade, creating a mesmerizing effect.