Stepped Tanks

Overview of Stepped Tanks

Stepped Tanks of Hampi remains the most beautiful architecture in the ruined city. The ruined city Hampi was home to more than two lakhs individuals in the Vijaynagar Empire. The Stepped Tanks or the colloquially known as Pushkarinis in Hampi are holy water tanks that were built around temples. 

It was constructed during the Vijayanagar Era and still remains an integral feature of the ruined grounds. All the significant temples in Hampi are attached with stepped tanks. Pushkarinisplayed vital roles in people’s day to day life living in the vicinity of the temples. It also performed remarkable rituals to the temples. The stepped tanks always pulled significance from the Vijayanagar civilians. Even in 2020, the tourists are attracted to this feature of the town in Hampi tourism.

Significance of Stepped Tanks

As before mentioned, Pushkarinis played several integral roles in the days of Vijayanagar Era. It is a well-known fact, that Temples during the reign were a key inclusion in cultural and social lives of people. Consequently, the stepped tanks attached to the renowned temples also gained fandom amongst the civilians. 

Several times the stepped tanks were used to execute annual festivals. During boat festival time the images of god brought to a boat for a coracle ride around the Pushkarinis. In fewer occasions, the images were also positioned on the pavilions too. The Pushkarinis are notable inclusion in Hampi tour package.

Pushkarini Stepwell in Hampi

The Pushkarinis are a spectacular specimen of architectural beauty. The standards of typical Vijayanagar style were surpassed in the construction of these stepped tanks and step-wells. Several stepped tanks in Hampi are built with exquisite architectural works on rows of pillars and the decorations of the surroundings.

 The whole structure is still functional today and therefore it gains a lot of attraction. It is one of the few structures that are working for centuries ago. Therefore, the eagerness of the visitors makes it one of the top places to visit in Hampi. During the Vijayanagar period, the water pipes formed efficient connectivity flowing freshwater from the Tunghabadra River to the tanks to different temples and households. The 5-tiered symmetrical layout of the Royal Enclosure’s stepped tank is the exclusive fascination of the tourists in all over Hampi.