Exploring Hawa Mahal

History
He is regarded as one of the main attractions in the pink city of Jaipur , Hawa Mahal stands upright in the popular City Palace Complex . Known as an important landmark of the city, the five-storey Hawa Mahal - is a perfect example of Rajput architecture - also known as Palace of Winds or Palace of the Breeze known .

The palace was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and Lal Chand Ustad was the architect who designed this impressive structure in pink sandstone . The pink sandstone was chosen so that the building of Hawa Mahal is in the same color , in which the other monuments were built in the city .

The main attraction of this pyramidal Hawa Mahal is its 953 small windows known locally as jharokhas and you can look through this window to see the pink city of Jaipur . These windows are also important in the free circulation of air cooler whereby the palace.

A beautiful specimen of fanciful architecture Hawa Mahal is a wonderful example of Rajput art painted in red and pink sandstone, the beautifully outlined with white border and motif with quicklime . The facade of the Hawa Mahal from the street makes it seem as sensitive screen instead of a palace. The five- tier pyramid structure of Hawa Mahal stage after stage of 953 small disks which worked each with tiny lattice ( Jali ) pink windows, small balconies and arched roofs with hanging cornices, modeling exquisite and thereby carved a striking resemblance to a honeycomb .
Best time to visit

The best time to visit Hawa Mahal is between October and March as the weather during this period is conducive enough to explore the palace. The temperature ranges between 22 ° C and 5 ° C so that the weather is more pleasant to explore without worrying about the bright sun the palace .

Trivia
It is interesting that the entrance to the Hawa Mahal from its rear end and not in the front as usual with most of the monuments and palaces.

There are no regular stairs to the Mahal ramps are only there to get from one floor to another .

Timing 

While there are no specific timings visit Hawa Mahal , but it is best visited in the early morning hours , as this is the time when the beauty of the Mahal is at its peak . The morning sun brings the original color of the monument overlooking the east side of the royal gates .

Petra - Jordan Travel Guide

Where and what is Petra ?

An ancient city in Jordan, Petra was once the capital of the Nabatean people , traders who came to dominate international trade in the Middle East 2,000 years ago . After a meteoric rise to power, they briefly challenged the power of Rome before succumbing . They then disappeared from history .

The Nabataeans were originally a nomadic Arab tribe who have ventured into the desert around the 5th century BC and settled in the mountains of southern Jordan Shara at the crossroads of trade routes. In 350BC they had abandoned raids camel for charging merchants for safe passage . Standing pivot exchanges between Asia , Arabia and the Mediterranean, their power base Petra ( a Greek word meaning rock ) grew fabulously rich . Frankincense and myrrh came to Yemen to downstream distribution . Pepper, sugar , ginger and cotton have been negotiated with India. Traders exchanged Chinese silks for gold and silver. When the Roman general Pompey came to attack Petra in 62 BC, the Nabataeans just bought him off.

In the first century AD, Petra was home to perhaps 35,000 people. The Roman author Strabo described as a cosmopolitan city , full of beautiful buildings and gardens. In 106AD , the Nabataeans ceded power to the Romans, start a new era of prosperity that lasted until after the adoption of Christianity in 324. However, changes in the structure of trade has led to a decline . In 749, when an earthquake destroyed almost all standalone buildings, Petra was more or less deserted.

He stayed like that for a thousand years, until the Swiss explorer Jean Louis Burckhardt persuaded the Bedouin to guide him to the ruins in 1812. The "rediscovery" of the legendary city fueled a resurgence of interest among travelers and archaeologists still persists today.

Why should visit Petra ?

Petra is one of the most fascinating historical sites in the world , up there with the Taj Mahal and the Pyramids for romance and visual theater . A first glimpse of the Treasury of Petra - the iconic facade made ​​famous in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - live long in the memory .

The Nabataeans built the Treasury - and most magnificent buildings of Petra - as sculptures, cut into the sandstone cliffs . It is this view of human creativity in this rugged environment that makes it remarkable Petra . Facades flowers in a unique mix of classic design Nabatean with Egyptian and Assyrian elements , always align the valley , creating a panorama of architectural splendor below the 1000 m high rocks.

To do this, you can add a persistent quality under-the- skin something supernatural . Elements of history facts, biblical stories, local legends and folk tales converge in Petra, in a cinematic context of hidden valleys , inaccessible peaks and ravines background.

 Petra Hotel

Petra has many accommodation options. You can choose from luxurious accommodations to save money , both can be found next to or near the site. The nearest site hotels obviously provide the most convenient access to Petra and save you money from taxi. A car drive a short distance to Wadi Musa are several good hotels, with a bit on the ridge above Wadi Musa. Taybet Zeman, in the village of Taybeh 9 km ( 5 ½ miles) from Petra , is farthest from the site, but its authentic flavor is well worth the trip . All rooms have a private bathroom , unless otherwise indicated.

Petra Restaurants

Dinner in the city near the site of antiques Petra -Wadi Musa - from simple dishes , inexpensive to elegant and expensive, with little in between. Both dining experiences , however, have one thing in common : a friendly staff and a welcoming spirit . Do not be put off by the simplicity of the village center restaurants mentioned here. The people enjoying their meals at the table next to remind you that the best price is often at these restaurants have unostentatious .