Royal Center Hampi

Royal Center Hampi

Historians have split the ruins of Hampi into two sections – Sacred Centre and Royal Centre.

Zenana Enclosure
Zenana Enclosure is a fortified quadrangle housing several monuments. Although Zenana means ‘Harem’, there is no historical evidence to justify the name.

Watch Tower and the Queen’s Palace

The Lotus Mahal, one the key attractions of the Royal Centre, is a beautiful pavilion with an amazing architectural synthesis of Hindu and Islamic styles.

Lotus Mahal

It gets its name from the lotus bud carved on the vaulted ceiling.

Lobed Arches, Lotus Mahal

This pavilion is the best preserved monument in the Royal Centre.

Lobed Arches, Lotus Mahal

Lobed Arches, Lotus Mahal

Elephant Stables
This 11 chambered building, east of the Zenana Enclosure, was used for housing elephants.

Elephant Stables

Sunset

Underground Virupaksha
This temple dedicated to Virupaksha was once partially buried. Hence the name (duh!). It is set well below ground, resulting in the temple interiors being flooded with water from the surrounding fields. This served as the private temple for the royal household.

Underground Virupaksha

Noblemen’s Quarters
This section consists of 15 palace ruins, which were occupied by the courtiers of Vijaynagara. The entire complex can be viewed from a Vista Point atop a nearby boulder.

Noblemen’s Quarters

Mohammadan Watch Tower
This watch tower is located across the road from Noblemen’s Quarters.

Watch Tower

View from the ground floor pavilion

A stairwell in one corner of the pavilion leads to the top floor.

Top floor of the tower

View from the tower

Chandrashaekhara Temple
This 16th century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Chandrashaekhara Temple

Queen’s Bath
Despite the name, this Indo-Saracenic water pavilion was built for the courtiers and their lady companions.

Facade, Queen’s Bath

Balconies with arched windows, Queen’s Bath

Hazararama Temple
This temple dedicated to Lord Rama (Ramachandra) served as the private temple for the Vijaynagara Kings. It was built by Devaraya I in the 15th Century.

The outer facade of the compound walls depict processions of elephants, horses, dancers, and soldiers.

Hazararama Temple

Scenes from the Ramayana have been carved on the inner facade of the compound walls.

Main Shrine

Inside the Main Shrine

Mandapa

Mahanavami Dibba
Also known as Dasara Dibba, this layered platform used to be the center of the celebrations during the nine-day Navaratri festival.

Mahanavami Dibba

It provides excellent panoramic views of the surrounding area.

View from Mahanavami Dibba

Square Stepped Tank
A few meters south of Mahanavami Dibba lies the aqueduct fed stepped tank with symmetrically disposed flight of stairs.

Square Stepped Tank

Octagonal Bath
This bath has a large open Mantapa with a now defunct octagonal water feature.

Octagonal Bath