Kuduregombe Mantapa is a prominent monument located in Hampi village of the south Indian state Karnataka. It is a pavilion situated at the midway of the road connecting the Vittala Temple and Gejjala Mantapa. It has been named after the horse sculptures which embellish the front pillars of the pavilion. In local dialect, horse is known as Kudure and Kuduregombe means horse riders. Kuduregombe Mantapa is unique as compared to other pavilions standing in the Hampi region. Unlike the entrance of most of the temples which are guarded by lions or elephants, its entrance is guarded by horses with riders atop them.
The sanctum of Kuduregombe Mantapa is devoid of any idol which makes it uncertain that to which deity it was dedicated to. It however has a pedestal. The ceiling is broken making the monument sunlit during the daytime. The exact purpose behind the construction of Kuduregombe Mantapa is still shrouded in mystery. However on the basis of the presence of horses instead of elephants it has been predicted that it was possibly constructed for or by the traders of the Vijaya Vitthala Bazaar for worshipping, as they were perhaps not allowed to worship in the larger temples owing to their caste or occupational restrictions.
On the chariot road, where it stands, it faces the temple pond. Its position suggests that it served as a significant monument during the boat festival organized in the temple tank or the annual chariot festival. Local tourists often take shelter in Kuduregombe Mantapa for having some relaxation and an escape from the scorching heat of Hampi.
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