ಹಂಪಿ 11 ಮಹಾನವಮಿ ದಿಬ್ಬ / ಪುಷ್ಕರ್ಣಿ/ರಾಣಿಯ ಸ್ನಾನ /Hampi 11 Mahanavami Dibba / Pushkarni / Queen's Bath

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Dasara Dibba or the Mahanavami Dibba is a beautiful stone platform located within the Royal Enclosure of Hampi. It was built during the Vijayanagara period by King Krishnadevaraya to commemorate his victory over Udaygiri. It was here where the King of Vijayanagar used to celebrate the festival of Dasara (Dussehra).
King Krishnadevaraya constructed this in 1513 AD in commemoration on the victory over Udaygiri (now in Orissa). According to historians, the Sagamas were the first ruling dynasty of the Vijayanagara kingdom in the 14th century.
The king watched the army march-pasts, bow and arrow competitions, war games such as sword fighting competition, wrestling, aquatic sports, musical performances of the royal animals and the hugely significant Navaratri celebrations from the raised structure of the grand platform of the Dasara Dibba.

Navaratri was celebrated for consecutive nine days according to the tradition and the tenth-day celebration was known as “Vijaya Dasami”.The 12 meters high Dasara Dibba consist of a massive square granite faced base in three diminishing tiers, the lowest being 40 metre square and the topmost 24 metre square. The king used this platform to watch the army march-pasts, war games, aquatic sports, shows of the royal animals, musical performances and also the most important Navarathri celebrations, the nine day-nine night state festival. And this was the annual occasion the governors of various provinces under the king visited the capital to pledge their loyalty to the king’s dominion. For the king it was an event to demonstrate the imperial pomp and power at his disposal.

A possible close replication and continuation of this you can still witness during the Dussera season at the Mysore palace, the later day capital of the state.

Queen's Bath

Constructed during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire, the Queen’s Bath impresses visitors even today, more than 500 years after it was built.
The Queen’s Bath is believed to be constructed by Achyuta Raya for the women of the royal family of Vijayanagara. Though named as the Queen’s Bath, it was in all probability used as the private bathing chamber of the king and his queens. It is also believed that the lavish bath was a royal pleasure complex. This belief is due to the location of the bath, which is outside the Royal Enclosure.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. 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.the Queen’s Bath is also connected to an aqueduct for fresh water supply.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.

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