VIJAYANAGARAM: MAHANAVAMI DIBBA

MAHANAVAMI DIBBA (మహానవమి దిబ్బ) -

Also known as Maharnavami Dibba (మహర్నవమి దిబ్బ)

Mahanavami Dibba is a huge stone stage. It is 22 feet tall, upper part is 80 feet in length, and also 80 feet in width. This huge structure was built by Sri Krishnadevarayalu of Tuluva Vamsam. He had this structure built on account of his victory against Orissa Gajapathis. This structure is also carved with beautiful carvings on its walls. Hunting Scenes, Erotic Dancing Beauties and also some Historical pictures are some carvings found on the walls of the Mahanavami Dibba. To the south of this stage, there are some beautiful Silpams i.e. Stone statues. These statues were destroyed by the Bahumani Rulers, but still the beauty of these sculptures is not completely lost. In the top walls of this structure, we can see Enugula Ooregimpu i.e. Elephant Procession, and scenes where a person of high importance is seated on a throne and another person bowing before him, which are carved beautifully. The person who is bowing can be immediately identified as foreign ambassador, mainly due to the Persian cap, which is also shown by the sculptor clearly. Scenes of foreign ambassadors who are visiting the Holy temples are also carved very beautifully. On the other side, we can see the Holi (హోళి) festival scenes. It is said that on this Dibba, the King used to have a big Madapam (మండపము) constructed, and used to conduct Puja to the Deity and also used to conduct programmes like Darbaru, Singing Competitions, etc., with great pomp and splendour. Near by to the Mahanavami Dibba, we can see a Well. The well is about 42 feet deep and 2 feet wide. The speciality of this well is that, it is built with a Single Stone only (Monolithic Structure). There is also a Secret Mandiram, where the Discussions regarding the Kingdom Affairs used to take place. There is another well nearby, which is 300 feet in length, and 150 feet in width. It is said that this well might have been used for the purpose of swimming.