Lokapavani, the stepped water tank of Pattabhirama Gudi is just 300 meters away. The rectangular tank has steps on all four sides. Also there are remains of colonnades at two corners. Going by the look of the colonnade, it seems like an incomplete project.
At the center of the tank is a four pillared mandapa with a Shikhara. The mandapa has been repaired in recent times by adding buttresses. I guess this tank was fed naturally i.e. groundwater. There's no arrangement of external source.
Many tanks of Vijayanagara times have central mandapa. Wondering what purpose it served. The water tank at Kanakagiri, close to Shri Kanakachala Lakshminarasimha Devastana, too has a mandapa at its center.
An incomplete colonnade along the western edge.
As seen from the eastern side. Beyond the vegetation in the background is Pattabhirama Gudi.
This water tank is need of maintenance. I think government must come up with a scheme which lets ASI employ tourist volunteers for cleaning projects. That way tourism will have another dimension. Perhaps the volunteers can be rewarded in a way of discounts at state owned lodges & restaurants.
Amazing that these free standing pillars and beams are in equilibrium for the past five and half centuries.
In the present day, men cannot make use of these historical water tanks but no one can stop creatures of Nature. A cormorant relaxes on the steps. Looks like that spot is a favorite.. the white stains of droppings say that.
Cormorants are waterbirds hence they are seen near waterbodies. They are expert swimmers, divers and good at flying too. A gifted creature indeed. These two are having a peaceful moment on the mandapa's canopy.
Done with the watertank, we head towards the Domed Gateway, a five minute walk away.
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