Lotus Mahal of Hampi

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One of the royal structures which Vijaynagar possessed was the very famous Lotus Mahal. The distinguishing name of the monument was given by Britishers when they came to India in the 19th century. The Lotus Mahal served as a chamber or a place which was used by the emperor for special meetings with his close advisors. In fact, if you pick up the map of 1799, it shows that the place was named as the 'council chamber' by the kings of Vijaynagar.

The Lotus Mahal makes a vital part of the Royal Center. When exploring the Lotus Mahal, one can see that it stands close to the center of the high walled compound which is located in Royal Center north eastern corner. A vaulted structure also makes a part of this enclosure which is there for unforeseen purposes along with two not so colossal palaces and numerous attractive water features. On the compound walls one can see that there are some square and octagonal watchtowers having magnificently built balconies on them. Here one will also find a small doorway which heads towards the stable where elephants were kept. This makes evidence that Lotus Mahal was all men abode juxtapose to what people believed for sometime in the history. There was a chapter which narrated that this was a quarter of the Zenanas or the women of that era.

When elaborating on the structure of the Lotus Mahal, it is seen that the monument has a composition which is symmetrically laid out. This structure flaunts its magnificently erected structures on all the four corners of the monument. The Lotus Mahal basically is a monument which comprises of two storeys, each of which is having lobed arched openings. These openings have multiple planes which are encircled by magnificent designs of plaster. The monument also has a special arrangement which shields it from the blows of nature like heavy rains and bright sun. Over the corner and central bay of the building, one will find the beautifully curved eaves which run continually around the structure. The ninth tower can also be located on the monument which is almost similar to the eight towers mentioned earlier but beats them when it comes to height. Later in the renovation stages of the Mahal, it is believed that a staircase towards the corner was added. It added to the convenience of the people who came to visit the Mahal.

In all, the Lotus Mahal can be seen as one of the most representative examples which clearly exhibit courtly style of Vijaynagar. The stunning Lotus Mahal stands tall as one of the finest fusions demonstrating the Mughal and typical South Indian style of architecture. So, if you are genuine lover of those good old days which make a glorious history of India now, make sure you plan a trip to the amazing Lotus Mahal if you are planning a trip to Hampi.