Bijapur City Travel Guide -
Karnatka
General Information Of
Bijapur
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Area 75.36 sq. km
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Population 193,131 (1991)
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Altitude 480 m above sea
level
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Languages Kannada and
English
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Best time to visit October
to February
STD code 08532
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Introduction to city Bijapur -
In Karnatka
Known for its medieval monuments, including the world famous Gol
Gumbaz, Bijapur is located in the southern state of Karnataka.
Known for their architectural excellence, most of the monuments
of Bijapur are built by the Adil Shahi rulers between 15th and
17th century. The Adil Shahi Dynasty was contemporary of the
great Mughals in Delhi, Elizabethan rule in England, and Shah
Abbas in Persia. And like their contemporaries, the Adil Shahi
rulers also ushered in the golden era for Bijapur. The buildings
were built from the local basalt, which have a dull brown
monochromatic effect, and are simply splendid. In a city still
unspoilt by the soulless multi-storeyed blocks, the sun always
sets behind a grand dome or an elegant minaret.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in
destination - Bijapur
The old city of Bijapur is surrounded by fortified walls.
Monuments of the city built during Adil Shahi Dynasty are its
main attractions. The main attraction in the city is Gold
Gumbaz or the Rounded Dome, located in the eastern end of
the walled city. In Other attractions Ibrahim Roza is
situated in the western outskirts of the city. Gagan Mahal,
now mostly in ruins still has enough attraction to pull you
there. Near the citadel you can have a good look on attractions
such as Sat Manzil (Seven-storied palace), Bara Kaman (twelve
arches), and Jala Manzil (water pavilion). Other important
attractions in the city are Jama Masjid, Taj Bawdi (water
tank), Upli Burj (watch tower), Mehtar Mahal (palace built by
the sweepers), and Asar Mahal.
Bijapur Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination Bijapur
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Places to visit in the city Bijapur |
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GOL GUMBAZ - Bijapur
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The most important attraction in Bijapur, Gol Gumbaz is an
architectural wonder and the largest dome in the world.
The dome dominates miles of area by its sheer size and it
is difficult to suppress the urge to see the dome once you
are there. With a height of 51 metres and diameter of 37
metres, the entire structure has been raised on a wall
whose thickness is 3 metres. The cenotaph of Muhammad Adil
Shah (1627-56) lies under the dome. Unsupported by any
pillar, the dome is an engineering marvel. The acoustical
system is fantastic and your slightest whisper would be
echoed seven times. Apart from the dome, there are
supporting structures including a mosque, a drum house and
guesthouses. |
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IBRAHIM ROZA - Bijapur
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Though Gol Gumbaz is a better-known structure, the most
splendid structure in Bijapur is, however, the Ibrahim
Roza and the accompanying mosque. The tomb of the
illustrious Adil Shahi Sultan Ibrahim II (1580-1627), the
structure has been lavishly praised by the art historians
as well as the common tourists alike. Cousens called the
Roza /”the Taj Mahal of the Deccan,/” while for Ferguson
it was /”far excelling than anything of the sort on this
side of the globe/”. The tomb is built to perfection and
is an example of unstinting technical care and skilled
artistry without any equals. The tomb has remarkable
proportions, with elegant cupolas and slender minarets,
parapets cornices adding the necessary decorative touches.
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JAMA MASJID - Bijapur
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Built in 1686, during the rule of Adil Shah I, the Jami
Masjid of Bijapur is a stately structure that is sober and
massive. The huge dome of the Masjid is onion-shaped and
rests on the beams of a grand hall divided into 45
compartments. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb made some
additions to the original corridors on the northern and
southern sides and put a gateway on the eastern side.
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GAGAN MAHAL - Bijapur
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Gagan Mahal was built by Adil Shah I (1561) as a part of
the palace-cum-audience hall. The central arch of Gagan
Mahal is the widest and tallest in entire Bijapur. Most of
the structure is now in ruins, but even the remnants are
magnificent and impressive. The ruins of the Mahal are now
part of a beautiful park. |
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SAT MANZIL - Bijapur
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Sat Manzil or the seven-storeyed tower near the Gagan
Mahal is now mostly in ruins. Originally the structure was
a watchtower overlooking the bastions, the moat girdling,
and the ramparts of the citadel. |
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JALA MANZIL - Bijapur
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Close to the Sat Manzil is a small structure called Jal
Manzil (water palace). It is set in a tank and a part of
the zenana enclosure. |
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TAJ BAWDI - Bijapur
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Close to the Roza lies Taj Bawdi, built by Ibrahim II in
memory of his wife. Two octagonal towers flank the giant
gateway leading to the water tank which is still in use, a
great relief during summer months. |
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MEHTAR MAHAL - Bijapur
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Mehtar Mahal is a small but exquisite structure that you
just can/’t miss while going to the old city. Built in the
Indo-Saracenic style, this is an extremely ornate
structure with brackets supporting the balconies and
trelliswork so impressive that it recalls the splendour of
the Italian Quattrocento. |
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MALIK-E-MAIDAN - Bijapur
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One unusual attraction in the city is the Malik-e-Maidan
(monarch of the plains) canon, placed on the city walls
and one of the largest surviving bell-metal canons in the
world. The cannon weighs 5,500 kilograms and is 4.5 metres
in length. Cool to touch even under scorching sun, it was
mounted by Muhammad Adil Shah on its present position.
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ASAR MAHAL - Bijapur
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Asar Mahal was also built by Muhammad Adil Shah where he
kept two hairs of Prophet Muhammad for devout Muslims. It
is a five-arched façade—a grand building in Bijapur.
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BIJAPUR CASTLE - Bijapur
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The 16th-century Bijaipur Castle entices tourists with its
location right next to a wildlife sanctuary where leopards
and wild boar, blue bulls and spotted deer roam free.
Built by Rao Shakti Singh, the younger brother of Maharana
Pratap Singh in the 16th century, the castle is being run
as a heritage hotel by the Bijaipur royal family now. The
castle provides excellent lodging facility with an option
of jeep safari in the nearby villages and opportunity to
enjoy the traditional Mewar hospitality. A must visit site
of Bijaipur. |
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VILLAGES - Bijapur
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The villages near Bijaipur are also worth a visit. The
provision of jeep safari from the Bijaipur castle makes
them easily accessible. The villages are characterised by
the surrounding of the green hills and the hospitable
people. They are inhabited by tribal communities like
Bhils, Gadia Lohar (Rajasthani blacksmiths), Kalbeliyas
(snake charmers), and Banjara (gypsies). The people wear
colourful costumes and live in houses made of clay, stones
and wood. |
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PANGARH FORT AND LOTUS LAKE
- Bijapur
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Around 25 kilometres from Bijaipur is the picturesque
12th-century Pangarh Fort. The fort overlooks the
beautiful Lotus Lake where the local tribal population
harpoons fish in their traditional way. |
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Excursions : Places nearby city
- Bijapur
Bijapur is a part of North Karnataka, a region that is steeped
in history of great rulers who not only fought with courage and
expanded their empires but also excelled in the fields of art,
culture, and music. The region was a centre of excellence in
architecture and there are structures all around that give a
glimpse of its grand past. Aihole and Badami saw some of
the most beautiful structures being created during the Chalukyan
Era.
Gulbarga
is the district headquarters known for its association with the
Bahamani kingdom in medieval times. Asavana Bagevadi and
Kundalasangama are two places associated with the great
social reformer and poet Saint Basaveshwara in the early
medieval age.
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Bijapur Excursion : Places
nearby Bijapur - Karnatka
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Places to visit nearby destination - Bijapur |
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Aihole
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Along with Badami and Pattadakal, Aihole completes the
third dimension of Chalukyan architectural centres.
Situated some 129 km off Bijapur, the place had an
important position during the rule of the Chalukyas. There
are a number of richly carved Hindu temples constructed in
the 6th and 7th centuries. Some of the important temples
of Aihole are Lad Khan Temple, the Meguti Temple, and the
Durga Temple. There is also a small museum run by the
archaeological department that showcases objects found in
Aihole, mostly of the Chalukyan era. |
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Asavana Bagevadi
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The birthplace of Saint Basaveshwara, Asavana Bagevadi is
a famous pilgrimage situated at a distance of 43 km from
Bijapur. The place is well known for its temples.
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Badami
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The capital of the ancient South Indian kingdom of the
Chalukyas, Badami is situated in North Karnataka near a
beautiful red sandstone ridge. The main attractions of
Badami are its rock-cut temples, the Agastyatirtha Tank,
Bhootnath Temple, Archaeological Museum, Jambulinga
Temple, and Badami Fort. |
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Gulbarga
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Situated at a distance of around 150 km from Bijapur,
Gulbarga is known for its association with the mighty
Bahamani kingdom. The main attractions of Gulbarga are the
Gulbarga fort, the Jama Masjid, tombs of Bahamani kings
and the tomb of Hazrat Gesu Nawaz. |
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Kundalasangama
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Kudalasangama is an important pilgrim centre associated
with social reformer and poet-saint Basaveshwara of the
12th century. Kudalasangama is situated around 67 km away
from Bijapur. |
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