A two-storey royal pavilion in the Zenana Enclosure — the women's quarter of the royal precinct — built in a striking blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural elements. Seen from above, the plan describes a lotus flower. The interlocking arches and corbelled design created a sophisticated natural ventilation system, keeping the interior cool through the fierce Deccan summer.
The Lotus Mahal is one of the best-preserved secular buildings in Hampi. Its white lime-plastered walls and arched recesses look almost modern despite their 15th-century origins. It sits within a walled enclosure that once contained several other royal residential structures; the Elephant Stables are a short walk to the east.