India Guide
Karnataka
Lotus Mahal
Address: Royal monuments, Vijayanagar, 3km south of Hampi Bazaar
Price: $5; ticket also valid for Vitthala temple on same day
Opening time: Daily 6am–6pm
Part of Vijayanagar's zenana enclosure, or women's quarters, the two-storey Lotus Mahal was designed for the pleasure of Krishna Deva Raya's queen: a place where she could relax, particularly in summer. Displaying a strong Indo-Islamic influence, the pavilion is open on the ground floor, whereas the upper level (no longer accessible by stairs) contains windows and balcony seats. A moat surrounding the building is thought to have provided water-cooled air via tubes.