Channeling rainwater to decorate the exterior, at Vittala Temple of Hampi - an idea from the era gone by

How brilliant the architects and the actual working sculptors and labourers must be, in the time gone by, when they had an idea of and actually built a temple where the exteriors have been carved out in a way that rainwater gets channelized within the intricate carvings, flows from special holes, and falls as tiny streams, thereby adding to the exterior decoration of the temple! WOW!


Each hole in this series is about a little finger thick

The Vittala Temple in Hampi is such a brilliant masterpiece! The usual praise for the Vittala Temple is indeed true. However, there are many more things to the beauty and skill in designing and crafting the masterpiece temple. One such speciality is a feature that enhances the temple decoration when it rains! Yes! Rain falling on the temple is used as a means to enhance the beauty of the temple! The intricate carvings on the exteriors have small channels that direct the water from rainfall. The water flows from small holes shown in the photos and beautifies the exterior further. It is said that in the era when the temple was built and was used regularly, at night, small lamps used to be placed behind, illuminating the flowing water. What a sight it must have been! I want a time machine!


A virtually hidden rainwater channel near the top-centre of the photo


Carved backdrop with the rainwater flow space in the front


Trying to judge the size of the hole the rainwater is expected to flow from


Virtually hidden channels to direct the rainwater to pass through specific holes