Thursday, August 27, 2009

Queen's Bath, Hampi

In Hampi, the Queen's Bath is part of the Royal Enclosure. This was constructed during the Vijaynagar Empire any time from 1336 to 1565. This is a enclosed space, consisting of a complex of changing rooms and a bath. At present only the bath is extant.

Queen's Bath interior 
A strikingly, simple facade structure, in the Indo-Islamic style of Vijaynagar architecture, the interior of the bath is total contrast, with its ornate stucco and plaster work.

View of Queen's Bath balcony
The structure is 30 sq. mts., with a 15 sq. mts, bath inside, which is 1.8 mts, deep. Pillared and vaulted corridors run all around, with ornate balconies projecting into the bath. There is a water channel inlet to the East, and a moat that runs all around the structure that ensured a constant supply of fresh water. There are steps leading down to the floor of the bath to the North, and the remnants of four pillars in the center, which probably supported a pavilion. But there exists no evidence to justify the name. The wall on either sides 1.e., inner and an outer face of smoothed and fitted stone blocks with an earth and rubble fill between them.


Another view of Queen's Bath balcony

51 comments:

magiceye said...

can imagine how wonderful it must have been then! wow!

Anya said...

Its so old but very beautiful,
I love it :)
( A antique swimmingpool .... LOL)

Zuzana said...

This is beautiful; I can just imagine how stunning this structure must have been in the days when it was functional. It somehow reminds me of roman structures from ancient times.

Jeevan said...

Its simple beautiful and can’t imagine how delightful it might be then. Sure it must be rocking!

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous captures, interesting history as always, Rajesh! What a lovely place!

Enjoy your day!
Sylvia

Steffi said...

Very interesting post and great photo´s!Thank you for sharing!

EG CameraGirl said...

What a lovely old building complete with balcony!

Eve said...

That is a very detailed and ornate structure. I wish our buildings today had that much art work involved!

Carol said...

Great photos of this attractive structure...beautiful architecture and interesting info as well.

Rush said...

the queen bath doesnt look inviting for a bath now, but definitely a stroll...howeveer, in olden times when they was kept spic and span and with all the grandeur...i wud kill for a dip in this luxurious bathroom!!

Sehraeuber said...

You have some amazing architecture in your country, it's interesting as usual!

Baron's Life said...

Another amazing post on the treasures found in India...so much history, so much culture...tell us more.
Wonderful shots and narratiion

Mark Kreider said...

I like to see the detail in photos such as these as the structure is so interesting. Can you make them larger when we click on them? I would really enjoy viewing them bigger.

Photo Cache said...

Very interesting always. Happy skywatching.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Nice photos. We had both Queen & Kings bath overtaken by lava back in 1991? Anyway..Aloha-

Shammickite said...

I think that India would be a wonderful country to visit. I hope I can see some of these sights for myself before I get too old and doddery.

Danton said...

Such an elaborate cleansing area for the Queen, and aptly captured by your description.

Japa said...

Useful information that makes me grasp and understanding of an era of long ago.

James said...

It's hard to imagine all of the wonderful place that are in India. It's really nice to see the amazing pictures on your fine blog!

I agree India is such a beautiful place!

Have a great weekend.

fufu said...

wow... very details... =p thanks for sharing

Dirkjogt said...

Nice pictures! Loved the pictures of Lord Ganesh also.

kumbakonam said...

Wow Such a beautiful blog. I never seen. I think you put so much effort good. I am all so enjoying visit your blog

kumbakonam said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Pearl Maple said...

Fantastic building, like all the details that you have shared about the history, makes for interesting reading.

Regina said...

Nice architecture!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Rajesh: This does look like a wonderful place but to tie it into Sky Watch you must have photos of the skies in your post. Please do this next time. FG/SWF Team

syel said...

i'm really fascinated with old style architectures. they are really fantastic.

texasnascarcowgirl said...

what a beautiful structure! I love the history you provide.

Dan said...

so much details in these pictures, beautiful now, must have been a fantastic place then..

Tammie Lee said...

It is amazing how old your country is. The architecture is endlessly wonderful.
Spirithelpers

Pat said...

Beautfiul ancient buildings! They have stood the test of time well.

Pietro Brosio said...

Splendid architecture, very nice and interesting images!
Thanks for sharing!

Louise said...

Very beautiful structure. I love how ornate it is.

Robin said...

It's a beautiful building, I wish I could have seen it during its heyday, and a 15 sq.m. bath is the stuff dreams are made of!

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

Very interesting details and photos

Anonymous said...

Old is gold.

Swetha said...

its so beautiful.... old and lovely!!

I have something for u in my blog.. have a look!

Unseen India Tours said...

Fantastic post and lovely shots !! Great shots..Unseen Rajasthan

Lowell said...

Impressive for sure! I like the fact that there are steps for the queen to walk down into her bath; no queen should have to jump in the water!

Beautiful shots!

Sharodindu said...

Fabulous Post...
The royal bath deserved to be covered!

Thanks for sharing!

myonlyphoto said...

Amazing architecture, thanks for sharing again. I have not realized that I missed so many posts of yours, sorry my friend. Anna :)

radha said...

The more I read about Hampi, the more I want to visit the place. I had been there years ago and cannot recollect too much of my visit.

sandeep said...

for me, the queen's bath was a little disappointing, especially with the lack of any major ornamentation :( the only good thing was imagining urself to be ther some centuries back ;-)

Hilary said...

Beautiful.. your photos always are.

Linda said...

This is beautiful now, but it must have been quite amazing when complete. Thanks for the detailed explanation.

Unknown said...

Amazing bath!

DeniseinVA said...

An amazing structure and so interesting to read about. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

yes!!! amazing structures.

Rajesh said...

magiceye, Protege, Jeevan: Thanks, in its glory days it would have been marvelous piece of architecture.

Anya, Sylvia, Steffi, EG, Carol, Walter, Baron: Thanks for the appreciation.

Kirigalpoththa, Swetha, kumbakonam, Sharodindu: Thanks for the appreciation.

Tranquility: Thanks. Yes, today's buildings do not have such intricate art work.

Rush, Dan, Jeevan: Thanks, in its glory days it would have been marvelous piece of architecture.

Mark: Thanks, only first snap can be enlarged.

Photo, Danton, Japa, James, fufu, Dirk, Unseen: Thanks for the appreciation.

Kilauea: Thanks, that is very sad to hear.

Shammickite: Thanks, you are welcome to India.

Pearl, Regina, fishing, Syel, texasnascarcowgirl, JM, Denise: Thanks for the appreciation.

Tammie: Thanks, the history of this country is very old and is full of marvels.

Robin, Linda: Thanks, in its glory days it would have been marvelous piece of architecture.

Pat: Thanks. Yes they have stood the test of time beautifully

Asta, Pietro, Louise, Raji, Deepak, Jacob, Hilary, Vaggelis: Thanks for the appreciation.

Sandeep: Thanks. Yes when compared to other monuments this is on the shorter side in terms of marvels.

Anna: Thanks, you are always welcome to my blog.

Radha: Thanks, I have been to this place three times already.

George said...

I find this place to be fascinating. The ingenuity of builders hundreds of years ago is amazing.

Sandy said...

I am so glad you stopped by my blog. I have come to know the beauty of India through Indrani and now you. What a magnificent, amazing country.