Queen’s Bath

Queen’s bath is a large, square structure with a plain exterior and an ornate interior. It has a bath, 15 m square and 1.8 meter, surrounded by decorated corridors and projecting balconies. It was called the Queen’s bath probably because it was located near the Royal enclosure. However, excavations have revealed that it actually lay outside the Royal enclosure area. The current belief is that Achyutaraya (1529-42) who was fond of water sports might have built the bath, and it was used by the women of noble families and occasionally by the king himself.

The pond is surrounded by a corridor, four meters wide and with twenty-four vaults. Two balconies on each side over-looked the pond; of these, six are still found in various stages of preservation. Each of the balconies is supported by four brackets. Set on a series of moulded basement, the oblong section of the balcony bears pierced windows of pointed arches. Three arched windows overlook the pond, each one located on either side. The entire plaster workmanship is pleasing, and the decorative foliate ornamentation restrained. A step way on the north side enables one to reach the floor of the pond. Four pillars had stood in the middle of the pond, probably to support a pavilion. Originally the water channel had run round the entire structure and a spout, still seen in the east, had conducted water into the pond.