The Stone Doors in Hampi are an impressive pair of monolith doors that were once part of one of the entrances of the Royal Enclosure in Hampi.
Located near the Mahanavami Dibba platform in the Royal Enclosure, the remarkable stone doors are believed to be a part of the imposing fortification of the enclosed area during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire.
The stone doors are one of the prominent remnants of the Vijayanagara period that can be seen among the ruins in Hampi. Though the huge doors are no longer attached to any structure and are not functional in any way, they do not fail to capture the interest of the visitors.
Stone doors in Hampi. Photographer Shriram Swaminathan
Quick Facts
- Timing: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM on all days of the week
- Entry Fee: No entry fee required
- Photography: Allowed
- Video Camera: Allowed
- Visit Duration: About 30 min
- Best time to visit: From November to February
History of Stone Doors, Hampi
The stone doors in Hampi were a part of the Royal Enclosure. The enclosure was a fortified area that was once the core of the Vijayanagara Empire. It was a place where the royal family of Vijayanagara used to live. Spread over a huge area of 59,000 square metres, the Royal Enclosure was a well-guarded and secured place.
The double-wall protected area had three entrances. Two of these entrances were on the northern side while one was on the western side of the enclosure.
It is believed that each entrance had massive doorways to offer protection to the area. One of the entrances on the northern side is located near the Mahanavami Dibba platform. The stone doors are supposed to be a part of this entrance.
They can be seen lying on the ground, not far from the Mahanavami Dibba platform. The stone doors were built during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Architecture of Stone Doors, Hampi
The exquisitely carved stone doors display the skill of the craftsmen of the Vijayanagara era. Each stone door was sculpted out of a single huge boulder. The doors have door bolts and pivot shafts attached to them even today.
They are remarkable in the sense that such doors are known to be part of the temples of the Vijayanagara period. Their presence in the Royal Enclosure signifies that the architecture of the structures and buildings in the royal centre was among the best that could be seen anywhere in Hampi.
Present Condition of the Stone Doors, Hampi
The stone doors are in a state of ruin now. The huge doors can be seen lying against a low wall in an unremarkable manner on the ground. The stone doors can be easily mistaken as something insignificant but for the beautiful carved look and impressive size.
The impressive engravings on both sides of the door attract tourists towards this exceptional remnant from the Vijayanagara period.
How to reach the Stone Doors, Hampi
The Royal Enclosure is one of the most visited spots in Hampi. The stone doors lying within the enclosure can be easily spotted and accessed. However, the Royal Enclosure is a huge area and it has remnants of several other structures.
It is good for visitors to start early in the morning and to hire a bicycle to visit the ruins lying within the Royal Enclosure. A bicycle will save visitors the effort of walking through the large area.
By Air
Hampi is an ancient ruined city that has no airport of its own. Ballari (Bellary) is the nearest town that has an airport. Ballary is located at a distance of about 64 km from Hampi. Visitors can fly down to Ballari and then proceed to Hampi by means of local transport.
By Rail
Hampi, though a tourist destination, does not have a railway station within its area. The nearest railway station is located in the town of Hosapete (Hospet). It has the Hospet Junction Railway Station. Hosapete is located at a distance of just 10 km from Hampi. Visitors can easily take a bus or avail other means of local transport to reach Hampi from Hosapete.
By Road
Hampi is well connected to many towns and cities of Karnataka by means of its road network. Several buses operate between Hampi and a number of the major towns and cities of the state.
Visitors can hire private cars, cabs or other vehicles from major cities like Bengaluru (Bangalore) or Mysuru (Mysore) to reach Hampi.
Also See:
- Stone Chariot, Hampi – An Architectural Spectacle
- Stone Trough, Hampi
- Top 15 Tourist Sites in Hampi
- Temples in Karnataka
- About Hampi
- Explore Karnataka