Bijapur at a Glance

The cradle of several dynasties and civilisations, Bijapur has a grand and glorious history, Bijapur is also known as the “Queen of the Deccan” due to its geographic bounty and cultural wealth.  It is home to the world famous mausoleum Gol Gumbaz. Today it is a modern city. It has a number of academic institutions including two medical colleges.

Today it is a modern city.  It has a number of academic institutions including 2 reputed medical colleges

Gol Gumbaz

The ancient city of Bijapur is located 530 kms to the north-west of Bangalore.

Bijapur was the capital of the Adil Shahi kings (1489-1686), one of the five splinter states formed when the Bahmani Muslim kingdom broke up in 1482. Bijapur is still strongly Muslim in character and it has many important monuments and historical ruins.

Bijapur is close to Belgaum - the gateway to Karnataka from Goa and Bombay.  The  city  has many places of Historical, Cultural and Architectural importance.

Bijapur's greatest  attractions are architectural, especially  Islamic architecture. Minarets, domes and echoing burial chambers all conjure up images of the Arabian Nights. Here are a few of the many monuments, you may want to visit , at the least. 

The tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, boasts of the second-largest tomb in the world.44 m in diameter, the interior of the dome is mysteriously unsupported and has a whispering gallery under it, whose acoustics are superb. Located in the north-eastern part of Karnataka, Bijapur used to be the home of the Bahamani Sultans the most illustrous of whom was the Adil Shah. Adil Shah began the task of building his own tomb, quite earnestly and went on with this work for over 20 years.

Ibrahim Rauza
Further to the edge of the city is the Ibrahim Rauza, a beautiful tomb with artistically laid out corridors and interconnecting buildings with richly decorated walls and perforated stone windows. Ibrahim Rauza, the mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil Shah II , is said to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra. At the centre of the town are large arches signifying the forts and its beauty in moonlight. Even though many of the structures were damaged by Aurangazeb, Bijapur remains a must see town.

Mehtar Mahal

One of the largest bell metal guns in the world, it measures 4.45 m in length, 1.5 m in diameter & weighs 55 tons.

Placed on the walls of the city, a unique feature of this legendary cannon of the Adil Shahis is that it is always cool to touch even under the blazing sun & when tapped gently it tinkles softly like a bell. The muzzle of the gun is shaped like the head of a lion with open jaws & between the carved fangs is depicted an elephant being crushed to death.

Legend has it that if you touch the gun and make a wish, it will come true!
 

Bara Kamaan

This unfinished mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah, if completed, might have surpassed all others of its kind.

Its 12 graceful arches which give it the name Bara Kamaan, makes one feel the power of time & death.
 

Jumma Masjid

Jumma Masjid is the other attraction of this city. Jumma Masjid still used for worship, has been called one of the first mosques in India.

It holds an exquisite copy of the Quran, written in gold. Also dating back to the period of Adil Shah this is the largest Masjid in the region. Barah Cummon (12 arches) is another wonderful piece of architecture created simply with twelve interleaving arches as a centre stage for art festivities.

This finely wrought gateway to the mosque is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It is embellished by a profusion of carvings in the form of brackets supporting the balconies & stone trellis work in Hindu Style.
 

Aihol

This Temple city is 110 kms away from Bijapur. It is famous as the 'Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture'. Aihole has over 125 temples all intricately carved and rich in detail. The oldest temple here, is perhaps the 5th century Lad Khan Temple. The Durga (Fort) Temple has a semi-circular apse and a complete portico. The Hutchmalli Temple, the Ravalphadi Cave Temple, The Konti Temple Complex, The Uma Maheshwari Temple , The Jain Meguthi Temple and The Two-storeyed Buddhist Temple are the other attractions at Aihole.

Pattadakal

Pattadakal has a distance of 134 kms from Bijapur. A world Heritage Center, it has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. The biggest temple dedicated to Virupaksheshvara, has a huge gateway and several inscriptions. In front of the temple is a majestic 2.6 in high Nandi. The Mallikarjuna and Papanatha Temples, and the Jain Temple rom the Papanatha Temples and the Jain Temple from the Rashtrakuta period are well worth visit.

Badami

About 120 kms from Bijapur. The capital of the early Chalukyas, Badami is picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. It has four rock - cut cave temples, the largest being the third cave dedicated to Vishnu. Overlooking the temples is a reservoir , its banks dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. The Bhutanatha Temples and the Museum set up by the Archaeological Survey of India, are the other attractions.

Basavana Bagewadi

About 43 kms from Bijapur, this town is the Birth-place of Saint Basaveshwara. There are several important temples here.

Kudalasangama

67 kms from Bijapur is a famous pilgrim centre, associated with the great 12th century poet and reformer Saint Basaveshwara.

Taj Bawdi

This great tank was built to commemorate Ibrahim II 's first wife Taj Sultana.Its front is a majestic arch flanked by 2 octagonal towers, the east & west wings of the towers form spacious rest houses.

Asaar Mahal
 It is believed to contain some relics of Prophet Mohammed. It was constructed about 1646 by Mohammed Shah., There are Landscape paintings and designs on the walls and ceiling of the hall. Women are not allowed inside.

Gagan Mahal
This mansion was constructed by Ali Adil Shah I in 1561. It served as a royal palace for some time.There are three magnificent arches, the central one being the widest. The ground floor was the Durbar Hall and  the first floor, now in ruins, was the private residence of the Royal family.

Essentials

Getting Here :

Bijapur is well-connected by road and rail to Bangalore, Belgaum and Goa. The nearest airport is Belgaum, 205 kms away.

copyright © 2005 Dr.Bidari's Ashwini Hospital All rights reserved.