Khetri Mahal

Khetri Mahal (Hindi: खेतड़ी महल ), also known as the Wind Palace, is a classic example of palace architecture in the state of Jhunjhunu. It is now a ruin, attracting tourists and locals alike.

Khetri Mahal
खेतड़ी महल
View of the Khetri Mahal, Jhunjhunu
Location within Rajasthan
General information
Architectural styleShekhawati Architecture
Town or cityJhunjhunu
CountryIndia
Coordinates28.1242°N 75.3983°E / 28.1242; 75.3983
Completed1770
ClientMaharaja Bhopal Singh
Height73 m (240 ft)

History

Khetri Mahal was constructed by Bhopal Singh around 1770. Bhopal Singh was the grandson of Sardul Singh. Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh of Jaipur built his Hawa Mahal, also known as the Wind Palace, on the model of the Khetri Mahal, in 1799. Khetri in itself was considered to be the second wealthiest ‘Thikana’ under Jaipur.[1]

Architecture

Khetri Mahal is located behind a series of lanes. It is a paragon of Shekhawati art and architecture. It is primarily known for its fine paintings and murals mainly supporting the Raghunath temple and Bhopalgarh fort. The palace is remarkable among buildings of its region because of the flow of wind through its open portals rather than stopped windows or doors.

Wind Palace Architecture of Mahal

Wherever structurally possible, the walls have been pierced with arched openings. The levels of the Palace are combined through a series of ramps, installed to facilitate the movement of horseback guests toward the terrace, which gives commanding views.

Two small alcoves contain fragments of older paintings in the private chamber of Thakurs. Most of these paintings were executed in natural earth pigments. The interior rooms are open and colonnaded, the columns often surmounted with openwork and curved arches.

Beautiful architecture design of Khetri Mahal

Most of the rooms are connected through arched portals rather than with doors, and much of the masonry is covered with a pinkish plaster.

One enters the palace via a student hostel at the base of the structure.

  • Side View of Khetri Mahal
  • View of Badalgarh Fort from Khetri Mahal
gollark: Aaargh.
gollark: Er, `add 1`.
gollark: Not add1.
gollark: Er, I mean `add1`
gollark: Operators get special syntax.

References
  1. "Rajasthan Tourism". Raj Tourism. Archived from the original on 18 August 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.