Stepped Tank

The Stepped Tank, also known as Pushkarani, is a geometrically designed water reservoir located within the Royal Enclosure at Hampi, Karnataka, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Group of Monuments at Hampi. Built during the Vijayanagara Empire, it is notable for its symmetrical, tiered steps made of black chlorite schist arranged in a precise square plan. Excavated in the 1980s, the tank showcases advanced water management and architectural precision and remains one of Hampi's most photographed archaeological structures.

Visitors can expect a large, open-air square tank with five symmetrical tiers of finely cut steps descending to the base on all four sides, constructed from black chlorite schist blocks without mortar. Located within the walled Royal Enclosure, the tank is dry for most of the year and is viewed from the top perimeter and steps. The surrounding area is flat and open with scattered ruins, offering clear views of the geometric pattern and opportunities for photography and guided heritage walks.

The Stepped Tank was built during the Vijayanagara Empire, likely in the 15th-16th century, within the Royal Enclosure which housed palaces and ceremonial structures. Constructed with chlorite schist blocks laid without mortar, it served as a sacred water reservoir and possibly for royal ceremonial use. Buried for centuries, it was discovered and excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1986-1987, revealing its intact geometric design and advanced water management system of the Vijayanagara capital.

As part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stepped Tank represents the Vijayanagara style of sacred water architecture. Pushkaranis (stepped tanks) held ritual importance for purification and temple ceremonies, reflecting the integration of water, religion and urban planning in South Indian heritage. It is a key example of the empire's engineering skill and aesthetic precision.