Hawa Mahal

The poet king Sawai Pratap Singh designed the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, in 1799 as a summer resort for himself and his family. It also acted as a safe haven for the ladies of the royal household to experience daily life without being seen. The exterior of this unusual five-story building, with its narrow-latticed windows (called jharokhas) that resemble Lord Krishna's crown, is a combination of Hindu and Islamic architecture. The windows also double as an air conditioner, breathing fresh air inside the palace and making it the ideal summer retreat.

The Hawa Mahal, made of pink sandstone, is Jaipur's most famous landmark, and tourists can see it in all its glory from outside, across the avenue. However, you can ascend all the way to the top for a spectacular view from the windows. The Mahal is now owned by the Rajasthan Government's Archaeological Department, which also runs an archaeological museum in the courtyard.