Hampi – Lotus Mahal

Lotus Mahal (also known as Kamal Mahal or Chitrangi Mahal) is an exquisite structure at Hampi. It’s a virtually air conditioned space built for the queen by Sri Krishnadevaraya.

Lotus Mahal had a water tank at the top with water pipes running through the beams and columns; facilitating flow of water through the structure, keeping the space cool even in hot summers.

Lotus Mahal has three stories featuring an open design with no walls – obviously the openings got modified later.

It’s an engineering marvel of those times…

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/2Mkbo562ftvbGenJ9

#drive #hampi #nature #heritage

 

About Hampi:

Hampi (Kishkinda), Karnataka is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra 340 km north of Bengaluru.

With more than 1,600 monuments covering ~40 sq kms, Hampi is a World Heritage Site and World’s Largest Open-air Museum.

Hampi, referred to as Kishkinda in Ramayana, has ancient history traceable to thousands of years.

Most of the current day ruins were built by Vijayanagara kings during 1336 – 1565 CE.

Hampi at one time was most prosperous and considered to be the largest city in the World. As per the chronicles of European and Persian travellers, Hampi had dedicated trading markets for diamonds, pearls, silks, brocades, and had opulent palaces, marvelous temples, royal quarters, embassies for foreign emissaries, massive fortifications, large pools, baths, water management systems, aquaducts, pavilions, stables, riverside features, pillared halls, Mandapas, memorial structures, gateways and defence check posts.

Hampi – it’s a living museum!