“The Pink City” in India. Jagannath Temple, above, in Eastern India

Smita Sharma for The New York Times

• A staggering amount of gold.

That’s what’s locked in India’s Hindu temples, often just steps from onlookers. The total amount could weigh as much as 8.8 million pounds, worth roughly $160 billion.

Despite their ancient riches, India’s temples are often poorly managed and lacking in security — tantalizing targets for thieves.

The tightly controlled Jagannath Temple, above, in Eastern India stood in contrast. So our reporters went there to find out what happened when the key to the treasure room went missing.

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Known as Hawa Mahal in Hindi, the Palace of the Winds was constructed in 1799 for Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as part of the women’s section of the enormous City Palace at the center of Jaipur. The 953 windows covering the facade of the Palace of the Winds were designed for the ladies of the royal court, so that they could watch the streets unobserved.

The palace’s distinctive rosy color comes from the natural sandstone from which it is built which also gives Jaipur its nickname, “The Pink City.” It is considered one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture in India.

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