The Lotus Mahal, Hampi, Karnataka, India.
I am proud to be an Indian. The pride stems from the fact that we have been assimilating different cultures and religions, for thousands of years. The pride is also due to the recent display of prowess by Indians, in the new age businesses like software, as well as age old businesses like steel making.
I felt very proud, when I stood in front of this maginificient structure.
While the kings were fighting their own battles, commoners were interacting with each other on a different level altogether!!
Built in the early 16th Century, this building represents what assimilation can achieve. By the early 16th century, Vijaynagar empire was under attack by the Deccan Sultanate. The empire lost much of its stronghold on the southern Indian peninsula. However, the wars and conflicts did not deter the two very different cultures affecting one another.
The base of this building is typically Hindu and the superstructure Islamic. The gates have lion faces (singha toranas) plastered on top, with typicially Islamic creepers and birds along the length of the gates.
Jai Hind.