Elephant Stables, Hampi
A long row of domed chambers beside the Zenana Enclosure that housed the Vijayanagara royal elephants.
Overview
The Elephant Stables are among the best-preserved buildings of Hampi's royal centre. This guide explains what to see and how entry works.
The Elephant Stables, a short walk from the Lotus Mahal, are a long, symmetrical building of domed chambers set along one side of a parade ground. Karnataka Tourism describes them as a majestic row of domed chambers that housed royal elephants, and the Archaeological Survey of India lists the elephant's stables among the important architectural remains of the city.
The domes vary in form from one chamber to the next, a mix commonly attributed to the several building traditions the Vijayanagara court drew on, though we did not find a primary source for that. The building is one of the more complete structures in the royal centre, and the open ground in front of it gives a clear view of the whole facade.
Most visitors combine it with the Lotus Mahal and the Zenana Enclosure; a secondary guide says the Vittala ticket covers these on the same day. The site is open ground with little shade, so carry water and plan the visit for early morning or late afternoon.
Entry fees
Entry
Adult (Indian)
Adult Indian citizen. ASI's Hampi page lists Rs 40 for SAARC and BIMSTEC nationals; Karnataka Tourism states about Rs 40 for Indian visitors. ASI's Hampi fee list does not name the Elephant Stables; hampi.in says the Vittala ticket is valid here the same day. ASI publishes Hampi-wide ticket rates; that this monument is covered by that ticket is not stated by ASI.
Source: Karnataka Tourism – Hampi
₹40 per person
Partially verifiedAdult (foreign national)
ASI: 'Other Foreign Visitor: Total Rs.600/-'. ASI's Hampi fee list does not name the Elephant Stables; hampi.in says the Vittala ticket is valid here the same day. ASI publishes Hampi-wide ticket rates; that this monument is covered by that ticket is not stated by ASI.
Source: Archaeological Survey of India – Hampi (1986), Karnataka
₹600 per person
Partially verifiedSAARC / BIMSTEC nationals
ASI: Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Afghanistan and BIMSTEC countries (adds Thailand, Myanmar) pay Rs 40 per head. ASI's Hampi fee list does not name the Elephant Stables; hampi.in says the Vittala ticket is valid here the same day. ASI publishes Hampi-wide ticket rates; that this monument is covered by that ticket is not stated by ASI.
Source: Archaeological Survey of India – Hampi (1986), Karnataka
₹40 per person
Partially verifiedChild (Indian)
ASI: free entry for children below 15 years. ASI's Hampi fee list does not name the Elephant Stables; hampi.in says the Vittala ticket is valid here the same day. ASI publishes Hampi-wide ticket rates; that this monument is covered by that ticket is not stated by ASI.
Source: Archaeological Survey of India – Hampi (1986), Karnataka
Free
Child (foreign national)
ASI: free entry for children below 15 years. ASI's Hampi fee list does not name the Elephant Stables; hampi.in says the Vittala ticket is valid here the same day. ASI publishes Hampi-wide ticket rates; that this monument is covered by that ticket is not stated by ASI.
Source: Archaeological Survey of India – Hampi (1986), Karnataka
Free
Fees shown are ASI's Hampi-wide entry fees. A separate ticket for the Elephant Stables is not mentioned on the ASI page; hampi.in says the Vittala ticket is valid the same day. Confirm at the gate.
Opening hours
ASI lists Hampi's monuments as open sunrise to sunset; hampi.in gives 6am–6pm (unverified).
hampi.in lists 6am–6pm for the Zenana Enclosure, Elephant Stable and Lotus Mahal.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- October to February
- Best time of day
- Early morning or late afternoon, to avoid midday heat
- How long to spend
- 30–45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Good to know
- Do not climb on the domes or walls
Location
Hampi, Hosapete taluk, Vijayanagara district, Karnataka (Kamalapura Road)
Hampi, Karnataka, India
15.32111, 76.47278
Get directionsPhotos
Centre of the Elephant Stables. Photo: Balraj D / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Elephant Stables at dawn. Photo: Rohit14400 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 View from the Zenana Enclosure. Photo: IM3847 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Visitors at the Elephant Stables. Photo: Rohit14400 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Close-up of the domed chambers. Photo: iMahesh / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What were the Elephant Stables used for?
Karnataka Tourism describes them as domed chambers that housed royal elephants.
Is the Elephant Stables ticket the same as the Lotus Mahal's?
hampi.in says the Vittala ticket covers the Zenana Enclosure, Elephant Stable and Lotus Mahal on the same day. The ASI page does not state this.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 7 October 2026
Not yet confirmed
- Ticket coverage (hampi.in)
- Dome styles and chamber count (not sourced)
- Exact hours
Not available yet
- ASI per-monument ticket notice
- Karnataka Tourism – Hampi · Tourism board
- Archaeological Survey of India – Hampi (1986), Karnataka · Government
- OpenStreetMap (Nominatim search) · Map
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