Thursday, January 5, 2012

Skywatch Friday, The King's Balance


As i made my way around the outer wall of Vittala Temple, Hampi when i spotted this huge arch of sorts on the left with a few structures beyond on the mountain, a guide walking with a group referred to it as the King's Balance. Curious, i walked closer to the group to see if i could catch a few words and insight on this sturcture... 

Also known as the Tula Bhara, this monument is made of 2 lofty carved granite pillars soaring to nearly 15 feet high and supported a stone beam across stretching about 12 feet fitted with 3 hoops on its underside. I went closer to inspect the pillars and noticed that one of them has a bas-relief depicting a king with 2 queens. Legend has it that these were depictions of King Krishnadeva Raya and his consorts. 

The structure resembles an entrance or a doorway towards the Kampa Bhupa’s Path located behind the Vittala temple. 

Back in the days, the King's balance was used to weigh the Kings of Vijayanagara and offer charity & donations in form of Grains, Gold, Diamonds and other precious stones to the people from the kingdom. This was done on special occasions like the Solar, and Lunar eclipse.

For more beautiful skies, visit Skywatch Friday

32 comments:

  1. What a marvellous shot!

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  2. There are Ruins,
    and then
    there are
    more ruins...

    A Tula Bhara
    or King's Balance,
    in Lord Vitthala's presence
    in ancient Hampi.
    Grains
    and Precious metal
    weighed against the King,
    and
    distributed to the
    ordinary folks
    of the kingdom.

    Today,
    a different Tula Bhara
    in
    so called
    developed cities.
    Away from a heavenly presence,
    Bribes ,
    matched by
    the equivalent
    of an ordinary man's
    several years' earnings,
    are collected
    and directed
    to the
    rulers pockets.

    And I wonder
    which are living ruins
    and
    which are dead....

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  3. Nice shot of a beautiful architecture.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  4. Such an interesting and beautiful piece of architecture, fascinating history and all of that and lovely skies and clouds!! Superb post and photo for the day, Aarti! Wishing you a wonderful weekend! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

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  5. Lovely shot and good description

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  6. lovely!! and to think i missed this at hampi!!! really have to go again!

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  7. nice shot !!!!!!!!! great monument......... such sculpting engineering is amazing

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