Hampi's Lotus Mahal: A Window into the Lives of Royal Women in Ancient India

The Lotus Mahal, also known as the Kamal Mahal, is a beautiful and unique structure located in the ancient city of Hampi, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. The Lotus Mahal is a testament to the architectural and artistic genius of the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over the region from the 14th to the 16th century.

The Lotus Mahal, also known as the Kamal Mahal, is a beautiful and unique structure located in the ancient city of Hampi, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. The Lotus Mahal is a testament to the architectural and artistic genius of the Vijayanagara Empire, which ruled over the region from the 14th to the 16th century.


The Lotus Mahal is a two-story structure that is built entirely out of stone. The building is characterized by its unique design, which features a blend of Indian and Islamic architectural styles. The upper floor of the building is supported by pillars and features a number of balconies and windows that provide a stunning view of the surrounding landscape.


The Lotus Mahal was originally built as a palace for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire. The building was designed to provide a cool and comfortable environment for the women to relax in during the hot summer months. The Lotus Mahal is named after the lotus flower, which is a symbol of purity and beauty in Hindu mythology.


One of the most striking features of the Lotus Mahal is its intricate carvings and decorations. The building is adorned with delicate carvings of flowers, animals, and other motifs. The walls of the building are also decorated with colorful paintings that depict scenes from Hindu mythology.


Today, the Lotus Mahal is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hampi. Visitors can explore the building and marvel at its unique architecture and intricate decorations. The Lotus Mahal is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Vijayanagara Empire and serves as a reminder of the city's glorious past.


In addition to the Lotus Mahal, 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.


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 Lotus Mahal in Hampi is a beautiful and unique structure that offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region. The building is a testament to the architectural and artistic 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.

Trending Post Today !

Image

How to reach Kasol/Malana and top things to do around this stunning hill-station of Himalayan State of India

If you are a regular visitor of Travellingcamera , you must have noticed that title of this Photo Journey is not really matching with what we usually share. This post is inspired by lot of queries which come to us, especially in summer.  One of the mostly asked thing is the options to reach Kasol and Malana . Here we are trying to share some details the option to reach Kasol/Malana, places to stay , things to do and lot more.  Related post -  Kasol: A beautiful Himalayan hotspot
Image

Main places to see & Top things to do around Dalhousie : Stunning Hill Station in Himalayan State of India

  Dalhousie is one of the most popular Hill Stations in Himachal  and there is lot to explore around Dalhousie. This is small and very well maintained town in Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh . This Photo Journey shares some of the exciting places around Chamba and how to plan a good one day tour through Khajjiar, Chamba & Chamera etc. CHAMERA HYDROLIC PROJECT Chamera Hydroelectric Project is located in Banikhet, 7 kms from Dalhousie. The water body near the lake is very scenic and is a popular boating spot. Chamera Dam is around 40 kilometers from Chamba Town. It takes approximately 1.5 hrs to reach the place is road condition is good. Overall it’s a little dry terrain as compared to Dalhousie and Khajjiar. And temperature also goes up as we go towards Chamera Dam.  As you move out from Chamba town, you follow Ravi river for some time and then take right. After 45 minutes of drive, you get a glimpse of Chemera Dam.