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).
However, The Dasara Dibba is in a ruined state now with damaged carvings on the side of the platform. UNESCO and the Government have taken proper steps in preserving the heritage for future generations.
Mahanavami Dibba. Image courtesy Soham Banerjee
History and Legends
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.
However, Hampi reached its zenith of glory under Krishandeva Raya under whom, Hampi, the city of Victory came into full power. Hampi was destroyed in 1565 by the Deccan Sultanates.
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”.
Stone doors in Hampi. Photographer Shriram Swaminathan
Dasara Dibba – Architecture and Sculpture
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 structure faces north. The stone stairs are little tough for climbing for elderly persons and kids as it is quite high to ascend.
The top can be reached by a couple of cases having carvings of elephants, horses, and others on the front while the back portion has twin staircase. This unique monument is one of the highest spots within this zone. The entry point for King to this point is different from that of the commoners. The walls are covered with auspicious carvings of horses, elephants, warriors, caravans, hunting games scenes, dancers, musicians and many other royal cultural scenes of the by-gone culture.
On the east side of the platform, is a chamber filled with animal and clown carvings narrating the stories of when the Chinese embassy used to visit the King Krishnadevaraya for business purpose and the Arab emirates came for horses and exotic animals trading.
Horse pillars at entrance to water tank in Hampi by Dinesh Kannambadi
The entry point for King to this point is different from that of the commoners. The walls are covered with auspicious carvings of horses, elephants, warriors, caravans, hunting games scenes, dancers, musicians and many other royal cultural scenes of the by-gone culture.
On the east side of the platform, is a chamber filled with animal and clown carvings narrating the stories of when the Chinese embassy used to visit the King Krishnadevaraya for business purpose and the Arab emirates came for horses and exotic animals trading.
On the east side of the platform, is a chamber filled with animal and clown carvings narrating the stories of when the Chinese embassy used to visit the King Krishnadevaraya for business purpose and the Arab emirates came for horses and exotic animals trading.
Entry to the Dasara Dibba is free and can be visited any time from sunrise to sunset, preferably during mornings or evenings as there is no shade.
