Lotus Mahal

Lotus Mahal, also known as Chitrangi Mahal, is a Vijayanagara pavilion inside the Zenana Enclosure at Hampi, named for its cusped arches that open like the petals of a lotus bud. It blends Hindu and Islamic building styles and is linked by tradition to the court of Krishnadevaraya, as a cool retreat for one of his queens and the royal women.

The building rests on 24 carved pillars and is open on all sides, so breezes pass straight through. Water from a tank on the roof is said to have run through pipes set into the beams and columns, keeping the rooms cool even in the hottest months. Some accounts hold that it also served as a council room where the king met his ministers.