King’s Balance — Attraction in Karnataka

King’s Balance in Hampi is an ancient and rare balance scale. It is located to the southwest of the Vittala Temple, at the end of the Kampa Bhupa’s Path. This rare balance scale is also known as Tula Bhara or Tula Purushadana. It attracts a lot of visitors due to its interesting history and its amazing structure that remains almost intact even today.

Quick Facts about King’s Balance Timing: Open on all days of the week Entrance Fee: No entry fee needed Photography: Allowed Time Required: 15 minutes Best time to visit: From October to February History of the King’s Balance, Hampi The King’s Balance was used in the 15th century. It has a fascinating history associated to it. The story goes that the balance was used by the kings of the Vijayanagara Empire on special occasions like the New Year’s Day, Coronation ceremony, solar or lunar eclipse, Dasara, etc. The king used to weigh himself with gold, silver, gems, precious stones and jewellery and give away those things to the priests of the temples in charity.

The interesting part is that as such an occasion approached, the royal kitchen used to prepare all the favourite dishes of the king at the insistence of the city council. The king would be provided fatty food at all times and would be allowed to move as less as possible. This was done so that the king would gain a few extra kilos and there would be a little extra wealth to distribute to the priests. The scale was also used to weigh grains and pulses in that era.

The architecture of the King’s Balance, Hampi The King’s Balance, Hampi, is a massive frame carved in stone. The monument consists of two beautifully carved granite pillars with a height of 15 feet. The pillars support a heavy stone beam of about 12 feet. There are three hoops on the underside of the stone beam. The hoops were used to hang the balance. One of the pillars has the image of the king and two queens carved on stone. The whole structure appears like an archway standing loftily. Though there is no trace of any balance today, the monument remains as an amazing example of the glorious days of the...

King’s Balance in Hampi is an ancient and rare balance scale. It is located to the southwest of the Vittala Temple, at the end of the Kampa Bhupa’s Path. This rare balance scale is also known as Tula Bhara or Tula Purushadana. It attracts a lot of visitors due to its interesting history and its amazing structure that remains almost intact even today. The King’s Balance was used in the 15th century. It has a fascinating history associated to it. The story goes that the balance was used by the kings of the Vijayanagara Empire on special occasions like the New Year’s Day, Coronation ceremony, solar or lunar eclipse, Dasara, etc. The king used to weigh himself with gold, silver, gems, precious stones and jewellery and give away those things to the priests of the temples in charity.

The interesting part is that as such an occasion approached, the royal kitchen used to prepare all the favourite dishes of the king at the insistence of the city council. The king would be provided fatty food at all times and would be allowed to move as less as possible. This was done so that the king would gain a few extra kilos and there would be a little extra wealth to distribute to the priests. The scale was also used to weigh grains and pulses in that era.

The architecture of the King’s Balance, Hampi The King’s Balance, Hampi, is a massive frame carved in stone. The monument consists of two beautifully carved granite pillars with a height of 15 feet. The pillars support a heavy stone beam of about 12 feet. There are three hoops on the underside of the stone beam. The hoops were used to hang the balance. One of the pillars has the image of the king and two queens carved on stone. The whole structure appears like an archway standing loftily. Though there is no trace of any balance today, the monument remains as an amazing example of the glorious days of the...

The King's Balance in Hampi is a fascinating historical structure that holds significance in the region. The King's Balance, also known as Tula Bhara or Tula Purushadana, is an ancient weighing scale located in Hampi, Karnataka. It is a notable monument that offers insights into the cultural and administrative practices of the Vijayanagara Empire.

The King's Balance is believed to have been used by the kings of Vijayanagara to weigh themselves against precious metals, gems, or grains, which were then distributed among the poor or used for charitable purposes. This practice was seen as a symbolic act of sharing wealth and maintaining social harmony.

The structure consists of two massive stone pillars supporting a horizontal stone beam. The beam itself has hooks or loops on both ends, from which the weighing pans would be suspended. Visitors can witness this architectural marvel and imagine the grandeur of the rituals and ceremonies that took place in the past.

The King's Balance is located in a picturesque area of Hampi, surrounded by other historical monuments and the beautiful Hampi landscape. The site offers a serene and tranquil ambiance, allowing visitors to appreciate the architectural prowess of the Vijayanagara Empire and reflect on the historical significance of the place.

Visitors to the King's Balance often appreciate the unique design and engineering marvel of the structure. It serves as a reminder of the opulence and cultural practices of the bygone era. Exploring the monument offers a glimpse into the grandeur and administrative strategies employed by the rulers of...