Lotus Palace, Hampi, Karnataka India

Near the Hazara Ram Temple, in the walled area of zenana (women's quarters), there is an exquisite pavilion called the Lotus Palace. It is believed that the women of the royal family, who lived in the nearby Queens' Palace, disported themselves in the water pavilion within their protected enclosure and met in the Lotus Palace. This palace is a complex and intricate blend of Indo-Islamic architecture and gets its name from the lotus bud carved on its domed and vaulted ceiling.The two-story structure has beautiful archways set in geometric regularity and was an air-cooled summer palace for the queen. The style of the Lotus Mahal is a pleasant deviation from the typical architecture usually seen in Hampi.Also known as Chitragani Mahal and Kamal Mahal, this falls under the secular or non-religious categories of structures in Hampi. It is one of the few beautiful structures that were left undamaged during the siege of the city. However there are some signs of mutilations on a few sculptures placed on the outer surface. Unlike the other major structures in Hampi, the Lotus Temple is a lime mortar and brick made composition. The shape of the structure is what brought it the name. The archways and the balcony with the domed construction resemble a half opened lotus bud.

The fascinating two-storeyed Lotus Mahal, adorned with recessed archways, is one of the primary attractions of Hampi. The beauty of woman inspired the exquisite Lotus Mahal in the Womens’ Enclosure. A little away, stands the crumbling watch tower, once guarded by eunuchs, from where the royal ladies could watch the festivities taking place.