The tallest building in the world - without a foundation!
Turn back the pages of history to 1799, and there you will see Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of the Kachhwaha Rajput dynasty, who decided to build the incredibly unique palace as an extension of the royal women's chamber.
In those times, purdah (a religious and social practice of gender partition) was the custom, so with the help of Lal Chand Ustad, the Maharaj designed a unique grill called the Aakash Patal Jali that helped the ladies observe the junta around Johari Bazaar, excitedly chattering and bargaining with shopkeepers and karigars (mechanics), whilst staying unseen by people on the street. The latticed windows also overlooked the central boulevard along which royal and religious processions would pass.
Can't wait to go in and try it out? But if you're having difficulty finding the entrance, you're not the only one. Getting inside the Hawa Mahal is an experience on its own, for strangely, there is no front entrance, only a rear one. Instead of stairs, there are ramps to the upper floors of the tallest building in the world.
Yes, you read that right. At five storeys, the Hawa Mahal is the tallest building in the world—without any foundation. This architectural wonder is possible because it is curved and leans at an angle of 87 degrees.
Incredible, isn't it?
Wonders at every level
The first floor houses the Sharad Mandir, which is decorated with colourful cultural glasswork for autumn celebrations. The second floor belongs to Ratan Mandir. The last three storeys constitute Vichitra Mandir, Prakash Mandir and Hawa Mandir.
Inside is a museum that houses Rajasthani miniature art; outside is a hub of stalls selling handmade jewellery, leather-crafted home decor items and the region's famous silver jewellery.
