What to expect
Highlights
- The lotus-bud Indo-Saracenic pavilion.
- The walled Zenana enclosure and its watchtowers.
- A ticket shared with the Elephant Stables next door.
Lotus Mahal
The Lotus Mahal is an elegant two-storey pavilion in the walled Zenana enclosure, the secluded quarter of the royal women. Its arches, domes and recessed balconies blend Hindu and Islamic (Indo-Saracenic) styles, and its symmetrical, lotus-bud silhouette gives it its name.
Practical guide
Plan Lotus Mahal
Typeheritage
Nearest baseHampi
Best timeOctober to February
Time needed30 to 45 minutes with the enclosure
EntryASI ticket (shared with the Vittala temple & Elephant Stables)
Nearest town/baseHampi
DistrictVijayanagara
Place typeheritage
Time needed30 to 45 minutes with the enclosure.
The Lotus Mahal is an elegant two-storey pavilion in the walled Zenana enclosure, the secluded quarter of the royal women. Its arches, domes and recessed balconies blend Hindu and Islamic (Indo-Saracenic) styles, and its symmetrical, lotus-bud silhouette gives it its name.
Designed to stay cool with airy arcades and (it is thought) water channels, it survived the sack of the city largely intact and is one of Hampi’s most graceful buildings, set on a neat lawn with watchtowers around the enclosure.
Visiting
Lotus Mahal — at a glance
Timings8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Best timeOctober to February
Entry: ASI ticket (shared with the Vittala temple & Elephant Stables)
Getting here
How to reach Lotus Mahal
In the walled Zenana enclosure
Indo-Saracenic lotus-bud pavilion of the royal women.
Getting there
How to visit
- In the Zenana enclosure; reached by moped, auto or cycle from the bazaar.
- Covered by the ASI ticket that also admits the Vittala temple and Elephant Stables the same day.
Distance by road
- Bengaluru340 km
- Hubballi145 km
- Hyderabad360 km
- Ballari65 km
- Badami140 km
Road km to Vijayanagara; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February; morning is cooler and quieter.
Weather in Lotus MahalSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
- ASI ticket applies; keep it for the Vittala temple and Elephant Stables.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Lotus Mahal is
Photos
Lotus Mahal in pictures
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Good to know
Lotus Mahal — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Lotus Mahal?
October to February; morning is cooler and quieter.
What are the entry fee and timings at Lotus Mahal?
Entry: ASI ticket (shared with the Vittala temple & Elephant Stables). Timings: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Lotus Mahal?
In the Zenana enclosure; reached by moped, auto or cycle from the bazaar. Covered by the ASI ticket that also admits the Vittala temple and Elephant Stables the same day.
How much time do I need for Lotus Mahal?
30 to 45 minutes with the enclosure.
What else is near Lotus Mahal?
Nearby you can pair Zenana Enclosure (90 m), Elephant Stables (170 m), Hazara Rama Temple (390 m), Yantroddharaka Hanuman Temple (460 m).
Read next
More stories, legends & guides from Vijayanagara
Image credits
- Lotus Mahal:iMahesh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0