BIJAPUR
Known For : Gol Gumbaz
Other Attractions : Malik-e-Maidan, The Ara-killa
Best Season : September To February
QUEEN
OF DECCAN
The ancient town of Bijapur, dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces and
fortifications, was the capital of the Adil Shahi Dynasty. Once the
capital of the Adil Shahis, it was a city that "exceeded anything of
its kind in Europe".
Even today, it retains its dignity and royal grandeur. Still strongly
Muslim in character, Bijapur has many places of historical, cultural and
architectural interest. Even though many of the structures were damaged by
Aurangazeb, Bijapur remains a must-see town.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Gol-Gumbaz:
The tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, the seventh ruler of the Adil Shahi
dynasty, Gol Gumbaz boasts of the second largest dome in the world.
Malik-e-Maidan:
'Malik-E-Maidan' meaning the 'lord of the battlefield' is the largest
medieval cannon in the world, fourteen feet long and weighing about 55
tons.
Perched on a platform especially built for it, the cannon's nozzle is
fashioned into the shape of a lion's head. In 1854 AD, the cannon was
auctioned for Rs. 150 but the sale was cancelled in the end.
Jumma Masjid:
Jumma Masjid, one of the main attractions of the city has been called one
of the first mosques in India. Still used for worship, 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.
Ibrahim Roza:
On the western outskirts of the city lies the mausoleum of lbrahim Adil
Shah II- Ibrahim Roza, said to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Embracing 1,16,300 square feet is the Jamma Masjid - "one of the
finest mosques in India".
The Ibrahim Roza is a beautiful tomb with artistically laid out corridors
and interconnecting buildings with richly decorated walls and perforated
stone windows. At the centre of the town are large arches signifying the
forts and its beauty in moonlight.
Anand Mahal:
The palace of delights was built by Adil Shah II in 1589 AD. The
two-storeyed building, which once housed the ladies of the palace, has in
its precincts today, a Gymkhana Club, an Inspection Bungalow, several
offices and the residential quarters of the Assistant Commissioner.
Mehtar Mahal:
Supposed to have been built by a sweeper, it is the ornamental gateway
leading to a mosque and a garden.
Meaning the 'Sweeper's Palace', this gateway has a flat stone roof
supported by stone brackets of delicately carved birds and rows of swans.
Asar Mahal:
To the east of the citadel, the Asar Mahal was built by Mohammed Adil Shah
in about 1646AD to serve as a Hall of Justice.
The rooms on the upper storey are profusely decorated with frescoes, many
of them using foliage and flower motifs, some portraying male and female
figures in various poses.
The front of the building is graced with a square tank still fed by
conduits from Begum Tank. Women are not allowed inside the main structure.
EXCURSIONS
Aihole: 110 kms away from
Bijapur. Famous as the 'Cradle of Indian Temple Architecture', Aihole has
over 125 temples, all intricately carved and rich in detail.
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:
134 kms from Bijapur. A world Heritage Centre, Pattadakal 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 m high statue of Nandi. The
Mallikarjuna and Papanatha Temples, and the Jain Temple from the Papanatha
Temples and the Jain Temple from the Rashtrakuta period are well worth
visit.
Kudala Sangama:
It is a tiny hamlet overlooking the sacred confluence of the rivers
Malaprabha and Krishna. On the riverbank, stands the renowned temple of
Sangameshwar.
Built in the Chalukyan style, this temple has a porch, a 'Navaranga' and
the main shrine containing the famed linga, Sangamanatha. It is in these
surroundings that Basaveshvara is believed to have become one with god.
Badami:
120 kms from Bijapur. Picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine
between two rocky hills, Badami was the capital of the early Chalukyas.
It has four rock-cut cave temples, the largest being the third cave
dedicated to Vishnu. The Bhutanatha Temples and the Museum set up by the
Archaeological Survey of India, are the other attractions.
Basavana Bagewadi:
43 kms from Bijapur. Basavana Bagewadi is a quaint town famous as the
birthplace of Saint Basaveshwara. There are several important temples
here.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The nearest airport is Belgaum
(205 kms.).
Rail: Bijapur is connected by rail to
Bangalore, Bombay,
(via Sholapur), Hospet (via Gadag) and
Vasco da Gama (via Hubli and Londa).
Road: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses ply from
Bijapur to Badami, Bangalore, Belgaum, Hubli and Sholapur.
Bijapur is connected by road to: Aihole (129 kms) Bombay (486 kms.)
Badami (132 kms) Hampi
(254 kms.) Bangalore (81 kms.) Pattadakal (148 kms.) Belgaum (205 kms).
Local Transport: Auto Rickshaws, Cycle Rickshaws / Tongas, City
Bus Service.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Mayura Adhil Shahi.
Hotel Mayura Adhil Shahi Annexe.
Hotel Sanman, Station Road.
Hotel Samrat, Station Road.
Hotel Godavari, Opp. KSRTC Workshop, Shastri Nagar.
Hotel Madhuvan International, Station Road.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Population: 217,500.
Languages: Kannada, Hindi.
Local Food Specialties: Mughalai or Hyderabadi Non - vegetarian
preparations.
Main Festival: The Bijapur Music Festival - featuring the
stalwarts of Indian music - is organized by the Government of Karnataka
every year in January / February.
STD Code: 08352.
Know more about this Package !!!
279/A, Masjid Moth, South Extention - II
New Delhi - 110 049 (INDIA)
Tel : +91-11-4164 3999 / 2626 2004
Fax : +91-11-2625 9695
Email : info@indiainfoweb.com
Home | Attractions | Destinations | Hotels | Tour Packages | Travel Agents | Help DeskDisclaimer | Privacy Policy | Old Site | Feedback / Contact Us
Copyright © 2007 India Infoweb. All Rights Reserved.