The royal centre

The royal centre was in the south-west part of the settlement. It had over thirty building complexes, identified as palaces, and over sixty temples: the rulers were closely linked to temples and cults.

An interesting difference: the temples were built entirely of masonry, while the secular buildings had superstructures of perishable materials (wood, thatch), so only their bases survive.

The 'mahanavami dibba' is a massive platform, rising from a base of about 11,000 square feet to a height of about 40 feet. It seems to have been linked with the Mahanavami festival (the 'great ninth day' of the Hindu festival of autumn, in September-October), when the ruler displayed his power and status.

The rituals there included worship of the image, sacrifices of animals, processions, dances and wrestling matches, the presentation of tribute by nayakas and subordinate kings, and the king's inspection of his army. But some scholars note that the space around the platform seems too small for such grand events, so its use remains uncertain.

Other buildings got their names from later British observers: the elegant 'Lotus Mahal' (perhaps a council chamber), and the 'elephant stables'. The royal Hazara Rama temple has sculpted panels from the Ramayana. Names given by later observers may mislead.