The Vijayanagara Empire's Royal Elephants: A Tour of the Elephant Stable in Hampi, Karnataka

The Elephant Stable in Hampi, located in the state of Karnataka in southern India, is a remarkable historical structure that offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. This impressive building is an example of the architectural prowess of the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over this area from the 14th to the 16th century.

The Elephant Stable in Hampi, located in the state of Karnataka in southern India, is a remarkable historical structure that offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. This impressive building is an example of the architectural prowess of the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over this area from the 14th to the 16th century.


The Elephant Stable is a long, rectangular structure with eleven domed chambers, each of which was used to house an elephant. The structure is made entirely of stone and consists of a series of arches that support the domed roof. The arches are decorated with intricate carvings and motifs that add to the grandeur of the building.


The building was originally built as a stable for the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire. The elephants were used for various purposes, including transportation, warfare, and ceremonial purposes. The Elephant Stable was built during the reign of King Krishnadevaraya, who was known for his love of elephants. The structure was designed to provide a comfortable and secure environment for the royal elephants.


Today, the Elephant Stable is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hampi. Visitors can explore the different chambers of the stable and marvel at the intricate carvings and decorations. The building is a testament to the architectural genius of the Vijayanagara Empire and serves as a reminder of the rich cultural heritage of the region.


In addition to the Elephant Stable, there are many other historical structures and monuments in Hampi that are worth visiting. The city was once a bustling center of trade and commerce and was known as the "City of Victory". Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts tourists from all over the world.


Visitors to Hampi can explore the ruins of the ancient city, which include temples, palaces, and other structures that were built during the Vijayanagara Empire. The city is also surrounded by picturesque hills and valleys, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy scenic walks and hikes.


The famous Stone Chariot of Hampi - Above photograph

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to numerous cultural and historical sites that are worth visiting. Here are some of the most significant places to visit in Hampi:

Virupaksha Temple : Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, which is considered as one of the forms of Shiva. The temple was built by Lakkana Dandesha, a chieftain under the ruler Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire.

- Virupaksha Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest and most important temples in Hampi. It is known for its intricate carvings and is still an active place of worship today.

Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex : (please note that above photograph is not correct photograph of Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex. We will updating it soon) As the name indicates, Hemakuta is a hill and there are temples on this hills which are worth exploring. This are little different from other temples in Hampi. Some of these are dedicated to lord Shiva and there are stories associated why these are dedicated to Shiva. If you are keen on knowing what these temples and what are the stories associated, please do check out this link for more details on Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex.

- Vittala Temple: This temple is known for its impressive architecture and is famous for its musical pillars, which produce different musical notes when struck.

Statue of Ugra Narasimha : This structure is located a little away from other monuments in Hampi. Narsimha statue & Shivlinga temple are located nearby. Timings of Narsimha temple in Hampi : 5am to 9pm Entry Ticket Fees for Narsimha temple in Hampi: Nil Camera Charges for Narsimha temple in Hampi: Nil

Lakshmi Narasimha Statue - One of the most impressive structures in Hampi is the Lakshmi Narasimha Statue, a monolithic sculpture of Lord Narasimha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

I got to know about Hampi in 2007 when I had started learning photography and I used to bug a lot of my mentors to click some creative shots with DSLR cameras/lenses. That was the time when I used to spend a lot of weekend time with Camera & traveling. Some of my Bengaluru friends had visited Hampi & shared their photographs. Heritage sites and Architecture used to be the favorite sites of Travellingcamera and they still are. This year I got a chance to get a glimpse of Hampi and it’s ruins. I would still say it glimpse as Hampi is a lot of offer and you can spend good amount of time around these ruins to learn about history and architecture at the same time. I strongly believe that it’s certainly a must visit place for Photographers & Explorers. There is so much diversified subjects to explore. Without any delay let me come to the main Agenda of this post and let’s talk about ways to reach Hampi.

- Hampi Bazaar: This is a street lined with shops and is a great place to buy souvenirs and local handicrafts.

Monolith Bull : Just in front of Virupaksha Temple, there is a old Bazar and this huge Nandi is on the other end of the road. This is certainly an interesting place to find diverse things like a temple, huge rocks on the hill, old bazar & this huge Nandi.

- Hemakuta Hill: This hill offers a panoramic view of Hampi and is a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset.

Lotus Mahal : In Hampi there is a huge enclosure which is known as Zenana Enclosure and as the name says it's the place for ladies of the royal family in Vijayanagara. And Lotus Mahal is above show structure inside the enclosure which is very beautiful. You are not allowed to go inside this Mahal but can see it from outside and appreciate it's architecture & beauty. This is also called as 'Kamal Mahal' or 'Chitrangi Mahal'. Timings of Lotus Mahal in Hampi : 8am to 6pm Entry Ticket Fees for Lotus Mahal in Hampi: 10 Rs for Indians and 250 Rs for Foreigners Camera Charges for Lotus Mahal in Hampi : Nil

- Lotus Mahal: This is a beautiful palace with a unique architecture that resembles a lotus flower. It was once used as a summer palace for the Vijayanagara Empire's queens.

Huge Swimming Pool : Royal enclosure in Hampi is very interesting place where you find some unique things like this huge swimming pool. This was super deep so I was trying to understand the depth and what would be height of people using it. It is easily more than 12 feet deep.

- Hazara Rama Temple: This temple is known for its impressive carvings, which depict scenes from the Ramayana.

Elephant Stables : This is a huge place where elephants of Vijayavara empire used to take shelter. This place is just close to Zenanan Encosure. To know more about Elephant Stables in Hampi, do check out this link. Timings of Elephant Stables: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Entry Ticket Fees for Elephant Stables: 10 Rs for Indians & 250 Rs for foreigners Camera Charges for Elephant Stables : Nil

- Elephant Stables: These structures were used to house elephants during the Vijayanagara Empire and are known for their impressive architecture.

Queen’s Bath (Hampi) - This beautiful structure is located near the entry gate of Royal Enclosure in Hampi. This place was built for ladies of Royal family to take bath. Exteriors of this building are not very encouraging so at times, people may plan to skip it as there is so much to explore in Hampi, but interiors are worth seeing once. There is another consideration that this complex was private bathing place for not only queens but also King. This has come from the fact that it's located just outside the Royal enclosure. To know more about Queen's Bath in Hampi, please do check out this link. Timings of Queen's Bath, Hampi : 6am to 6pm Entry Ticket Fees for Queen's Bath, Hampi : Nil Camera Charges for Queen's Bath, Hampi : Nil

- Queen's Bath: This is a large bathhouse that was used by the Vijayanagara Empire's queens and is known for its beautiful architecture.

Vehicles can be parked at a distance and one needs to hire green-rickshaw to reach this campus. Interesting part is that chain of these green-rickshaws is maintained by a women society. Timings of Vithala Temple in Hampi : 8:30 am to 5pm Entry Ticket Fees for Vithala Temple in Hampi: Nil Camera Charges for Vithala Temple in Hampi: Nil (Still & Video cameras allowed)

- Achyutaraya Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is known for its impressive carvings and architecture.

Where to stay in Hampi ? Since I have stayed in Golden Chariot train, so I don't have strong recommendations to make. But I am certainly trying to fetch genuine inputs from fellow bloggers & friends who have actually stayed there. We would encourage your inputs in form of comments, if you have suggestions to improve this post. Thanks !

- Anegundi: This is a small village near Hampi that is worth visiting for its historical significance and beautiful scenery.


These are just a few of the many cultural and historical sites to visit in Hampi. A visit to this ancient city is a must for anyone interested in South Indian history and culture.


The Elephant Stable in Hampi is a remarkable historical structure that offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. The building is a testament to the architectural genius of the Vijayanagara Empire and serves as a reminder of the city's glorious past. Visitors to Hampi can explore the ruins of the ancient city and enjoy the natural beauty of the surrounding hills and valleys. Hampi is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history, culture, and architecture.

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