The Hawa Mahal in a nutshell
The Hawa Mahal stands in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Its name is usually translated as Palace of the Winds. The famous facade has five storeys and a honeycomb of small windows called jharokhas. The usual count is 953. The building dates from 1799. It was commissioned by Sawai Pratap Singh, and the architect was Lal Chand Ustad.
The royal women once watched street life and processions from behind these screens without being seen. Today the Hawa Mahal is one of the most photographed buildings in India. It sits in the old walled city, a short walk from the City Palace and Jantar Mantar.
This guide covers the Hawa Mahal and what surrounds it: ticket prices, opening hours, history, the Pink City, the bazaars, food, city tours and day trips from Delhi. It is an independent site. It is not run by the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Rajasthan Tourism or the City Palace. Prices are in Indian rupees (INR), as of 2026, and they change.
What to know in 2026
Where older guides and blog posts are out of date.
Entry fees rose on 1 January 2026
The rates for the state-run monuments went up at the start of 2026. Old prices in guidebooks and blogs no longer apply. The current rates are on the tickets page.
Ticket prices →Do not count on online tickets
Tourism websites still link to an e-ticket service, but a working online purchase for the Hawa Mahal is not guaranteed. Plan to sort out your ticket at the site.
How to buy a ticket →Closing time: 4:30 or 5 p.m.
The Hawa Mahal closes at 4:30 or about 5 p.m. Arrive well before 4:30 and you are safe either way.
Opening hours →Parts of the City Palace are closed
The textile gallery in the Mubarak Mahal has been closed for restoration since 27 March 2026, and the night museum is closed for now. The courtyards and the main museum are open.
City Palace guide →How a visit works
The facade, the inside and the street are three different experiences.
Most visitors first see the Hawa Mahal from the road, where the pink front fills the view. The entrance for visitors is behind the street facade, not on it. Inside, you climb through the building to the upper levels and look out through the windows. A museum sits in the courtyard.
Treat a tour that names the Hawa Mahal with care. Some city tours only stop for a front view and do not include an entry ticket. The tours page explains what to check.
Our picks: Jaipur tours
A private day by car, a tuk-tuk tour and a food walk.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Jaipur food walk with a local guide
A food guide, tastings at several stops, vegetarian and vegan options and a homemade dessert are included. Hotel transfers and tips are not.
Check availability →
Private city tour by tuk-tuk or car
A private tuk-tuk or air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver, transfers, fuel, parking and water are included. Meals, monument entries and the camera fee are extra.
Check availability →Private full-day city tour by car with a guide
Hotel transfers, an air-conditioned car, an authorised guide, parking and fuel are included. Monument tickets, meals and tips are extra.
Check availability →Jaipur tours and day trips
City tours, food tours, walks through the Pink City and day trips, with live prices and availability. Check whether the Hawa Mahal entry ticket is included.
Plan your Jaipur trip
Start with tickets and timings, then pick the pages you need.
Hawa Mahal ticket prices
2026 entry fees in INR for foreign and Indian visitors, and what to know about buying.
Opening hours and best time of day
Hours, the 4:30 versus 5 p.m. question, and how to avoid the midday heat.
Hawa Mahal facts
Windows, storeys, design and what to look for at the facade.
History of the Hawa Mahal
Who built it in 1799, and why the royal women watched from behind screens.
Jaipur city tours compared
Walking tours, drivers and guided days, and what to check before you book.
City Palace
Courtyards, museum and the Chandra Mahal, with prices and closures.
Jantar Mantar
The 18th-century observatory with huge stone instruments.
Albert Hall Museum
The collection, the evening visit and the building in Ram Niwas Garden.
The Pink City, food and getting around
The old city, its bazaars and the practical pages.
The Pink City
Why Jaipur is pink, the 2019 World Heritage status and the city walls.
Jaipur bazaars
Johari, Bapu, Tripolia and Kishanpole: what each one sells.
Food tours and local dishes
Pyaz kachori, dal baati churma, ghevar and how to eat safely.
Jaipur from Delhi
Train and road options, and whether a day trip is realistic.
Best time to visit
Monthly temperatures and rainfall for planning your dates.
Where to stay
Old City, C-Scheme or Bani Park: which area fits your plans.
Entry at a glance
Adult and student rates per person for 2026.
| Visitor | Hawa Mahal entry |
|---|---|
| Indian adult | INR 100 |
| Foreign adult | INR 600 |
| Indian student | INR 50 |
| Foreign student | INR 300 |
Prices are as of 2026 and can change. The tickets page explains the details, and the City Palace has its own, separate prices.
Beyond the Pink City
The forts above Jaipur have their own guide.
The Amber Fort, Jaigarh, Nahargarh and the Jal Mahal lie outside the old city. They need a half day or more and have their own tickets. The Amber Fort guide covers them in detail. This site stays with the Hawa Mahal and the walled city.
More independent guides to Jaipur
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one part of Jaipur.
Hawa Mahal: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to enter the Hawa Mahal?
In 2026, foreign adults pay INR 600 and Indian adults INR 100. Students pay INR 300 (foreign) or INR 50 (Indian). Rates can change. See the tickets page for details.
What are the opening hours?
The Hawa Mahal is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 or 5 p.m., so arrive before 4:30 to be safe. Details are on the timings page.
Do I need a City Palace ticket for the Hawa Mahal?
No. The Hawa Mahal has its own entrance behind the street facade, and no City Palace ticket is needed for it. The City Palace sells its own tickets.
Do I need a visa for India?
Most visitors from abroad do, and the rules depend on your nationality. As of October 2026, the Indian government offers an e-Tourist Visa for 30 days, 1 year or 5 years. The government advises applying at least 4 days before travel and no earlier than 120 days ahead. Check the official rules before you book.
Is the Hawa Mahal worth visiting if I only photograph the facade?
Many people do just that. The street view takes a few minutes and costs nothing. The inside gives you the view from behind the windows, the way the royal women saw the street.
Is hawa-mahal.org an official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Rajasthan Tourism, the City Palace or any tour operator.