Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) is so called because it is one of the best ventilated palaces in the generally arid and hot Jaipur, and is known to be the summer home for queens. Since the Purdah system was strictly observed by the Madwari women, there were secret passage ways leading to the palace from the main City Palace. Using these passages, the queen and her companions would come in unnoticed in palanquins. The image seen is actually the back view of the stunning red and pink sandstone palace which adds to the pink hues of Jaipur, the Pink City.

While from outside the palace resembles a honey comb style structure, the windows on the inside are fit with coloured glass. When the sunlight hits the mosaic, beautiful patterns are formed on the inside. The palace offered these screened beauties an opportunity to look into the market place, from where the king’s procession would pass by.