GET QUOTES

The Queen’s Bath in Hampi is a colossal bath that exemplifies the architectural excellence prevalent during the days of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is located close to the entrance of the Royal Enclosure in Hampi.

Constructed during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Queen’s Bath impresses visitors even today, more than 500 years after it was built.

This is the first ruined structure you would see when you enter the Royal center from the Kamalapur-Hampi main road.

For some mysterious reason this was called the queen’s bath. But in all probability this was a royal pleasure complex for the king and his wives.

It’s a bit of an assuming plane rectangular building from outside. But when you get inside, the story is different.

The whole building is made with a veranda facing a big open pond in the middle. Projecting into the pond are many balconies. An aqueduct terminates in the pond.

The balconies are decorated with tiny windows and supported by lotus bud tipped brackets. The whole pool is open to the sky. This brick lined pool is now empty. But it’s believed once fragrant flowers and perfumed water filled this bathing pool. At one end of the veranda you can see a flight of steps giving access to the pool. The domical roof of the veranda is a spectacle itself.

Just go around the veranda looking at each dome, as they are designed in an asset of unique style. Also on the floor of the empty pool you can spot some sockets probably meant to support the pillars that were part of a canopy. The whole building from inside looks like some ancient indoor aquatic complex.

Queen's Bath Outside around the building is a big water channel encircling the building. There is a small garden too now made in front for the queen’s bath, a favorite spot for the local picnics groups. The architecture is : Indo-Saracenic in style, maybe a bit more Islamic style than the Hindu style of architecture with the arches and other decorations. Admission is free & photography allowed.


Architecture

 

The Queen’s Bath is an elaborate structure with a simple exterior and an ornate interior. Built in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture, this striking enclosed space is designed to be unique than any other private or public bath in Hampi.

The Queen’s Bath is a rectangular building. The structure has an area of 30 square metres. A large sunken bath constructed in the centre of the structure has an area of 15 square metres and a depth of 1.8 metres. The bath is surrounded by beautiful arched corridors having pillars and projecting ornate balconies with windows.

Each arched bay surrounding the bath is decorated with intricate carved stucco ornamentation on the ceilings and the vaults placed above the arched bays. There are stone steps that lead down to the floor of the bath. However, there is no ceiling over the bath and it is open to the sky.

Hampi has an ostentatious network of aqueducts and canals that were built to provide water to the buildings, tanks, baths and temples during the ancient days. Like other public baths in Hampi the Queen’s Bath is also connected to an aqueduct for fresh water supply. The building has a moat surrounding it on all sides.

There is a bridge to cross the moat and reach the bath. It is believed that the moat was designed to prevent anyone from entering the building while the bath was in use.


How To Reach

 

Hampi is a well known tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many ways to reach Hampi from various towns and cities of Karnataka and beyond. The location of Queen’s Bath is very easy to find out as it is near the Royal Enclosure, one of the most famous ruin sites in Hampi.

By Air: Hampi is an ancient village without an airport of its own. Ballari (Bellary) is the nearest town to have an airport. Ballary is situated at a distance of around 64 km from Hampi. Visitors who wish to take the air route can fly to Ballari and then reach Hampi by means of local transport.

By Rail: Hampi is a town that is devoid of a railway station. The nearest railway station can be found in the city of Hospet. It has the Hospet Junction Railway Station. Hospet stands at a distance of around 10 km from Hampi. A very easy way to reach Hampi from Hospet is to travel through a bus. Apart from the bus, there are other means of local transport to reach Hampi from Hospet.

By Road: Hampi has a road network that spreads out to a number of towns and cities of Karnataka. There are a lot of buses that travel between Hampi and several other towns and cities in Karnataka. Private cars, cabs or other vehicles are also available for hire from big cities like Bengaluru (Bangalore) or Mysuru (Mysore) to reach Hampi.


OUR PACKAGES

image description

Leh Ladakh 16 Day Adventure Bike Tour from Delhi

from INR 100000

A bike trip to Leh-Ladakh is one of the things that many people aspire to experience at least once in their lifetime. Known to have the highest motorable road in the world, experience world's m

explore
whatsapp