Karnataka Tours and Travel

Bijapur is part of the Karnataka Northern Circuit. If you start your tour of historical Karnataka at Hampi and are travelling northwards thereon, Bijapur should be your third major stop. From Hampi, make your way to Badami - Pattadakal - Aihole, all three of which are only a stone's throw from each other. And from there go further to arrive at Bijapur. If you are doing the route by road, you can choose from among buses, luxury coaches and cars (hired or otherwise). There are train connections to Bijapur from Sholapur (in Maharashtra), Badami and Hospet, which is the railway station for Hampi. Bijapur's greatest attractions are architectural, especially Islamic architecture. Minarets, domes and echoing burial chambers all conjure up images of the Arabian Nights. Bijapur in northern Karnataka is famous for mosques, mausoleums, palaces, fortifications etc of the 15th to 17th centuries. Bijapur is Muslim in character. The town is dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces and fortifications of the 15th to 17th century Muslim architecture. A formidable fort surrounds the town, which has some of the finest mosques in the Deccan and retains a pleasant atmosphere.

The golden period of Bijapur started during the reign of Ali Adil Shah I (1557 -79). He expanded and consolidated the kingdom, laid the water works, built the Citadel of halls, palaces, pavilions and gardens. He also encouraged the arts and built the Jumma Masjid to commemorate the Talikota Victory. Under his successor, Ibrahim Adil Shah II (1580-1626), Bijapur reached its political, cultural and territorial zenith. The kingdom stretched right to Mysore.

Bijapur is famous for its hand woven Ilkal sarees. In food, Jowar Roti ('Jwalada Bhakri' in Kannada) and Bajra roti ('Sajji Bhakri" in Kannada) are the types of tortillas deliciously prepared and served with 'Bhartha' a Brinjal (egg plant) delicacy slightly spicy and "Shenga Chutney" (spicy peanuts powder mix ) served either with Peanut oil, and a bowl of delicious creamy yogurt (curds). Usually specialty hotels called "Khaanavali" serve the authentic ethnic food. Non-vegetarian preparations are distinctly Mughlai or Hyderabadi. Milk Sweets are popular like Pedhe, Kalakandh, Mysore pak, etc.

How to Reach Bijapur
Air: The nearest airport is Belgaum (205 kms), which is well connected to Mumbai and Bangalore.

Rail: Bijapur is well connected to Bangalore, Mumbai (via Solapur); Hyderabad (via Solapur or Hotgi Jn); Hospet (via Gadag) ; Vasco da Gama (via Hubli and Londa).
Bijapur railway station comes under the administrative control of HUBLI division of South Central Railway (SCR) headquartered at Rail Nilayam, Secunderabad, AP.

Road: Bijapur is well connected to many cities in south and west India, notably.

Solapur (101 kms), the nearest big city in neighboring Maharashtra state. Private operators also have taxis/buses service on this route. Approximate travel time is 1 and a 1/2 hrs subject to road conditions.

Belgaum (205 kms), the nearest big city in Karnataka state. Private operators also have bus/taxi/van service on this route. Approximate travel time is 6 hrs to 7 hrs subject to road conditions.

Hyderabad (420 kms), the nearest largest city and the capital of the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh. Approximate travel time is 10 hrs subject to road conditions.

Mumbai (Bombay) (500 kms approx), the nearest international gateway and the largest metropolitan city in India, which is also the capital of the neighboring state of Maharashtra. Approximate travelling time is 10 -12 hrs subject to road conditions.

Bangalore (530 kms ), the state capital and the largest metropolitan city in Karnataka state. Approximate travel time is 14 hrs subject to road conditions. Bijapur is located 530 kms to the north-west of Bangalore.

Local Transport: There are local buses, horse-drawn tongas and auto-rickshaws to help you get around. If the weather is right you could think of renting a cycle from one of the stalls in the station area.

Prime Attractions in and around Bijapur
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 bly 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.

Gol Gumbaz: Literary meaning, 'round', it is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (1627 -56) , the seventh ruler of Adilshahi dynasty. The dome of this 17th century monument is the second largest in the world, second only to St. Peter's in Vatican City. This impressive mausoleum is an enormous square structure, which contains a single immense hall, buttressed by octagonal seven storey-towers at each of its corners. This graceful monument is the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah and his family. Decorated with delicate stone filigree and other sculptural work, this building is admired for its loveliness rather than imposing grandeur.

Around the base of the dome, there is a hall called ;Whispering Gallery. The acoustical phenomenon of this dome is such that a sound is echoed eleven times over. Even the gentlest whisper echoes across its great length. The dome has a floor area of 1700 sq.m., height of 51 m and diameter of 37 m. The walls are 3 m thick. The central dome stands unsupported by any pillars. Under the dome are the tombs of the Sultan, his two wives, his mistress Ramba, his daughter and grandson. The octagonal turrets which project at an angle and the huge bracketed cornic below the parapet, are also important features of this monument. From the gallery around the dome, which can be reached by climbing up the turret passages, one can have a fabulous view of the town.

Ibrahim Roza Mausoleum: This mousoleum of the 16th century is considered to be one of the most finely proportioned Islamic monuments in India. The structure, which is raised on a high stone platform has 24 m high minarets. The tomb is noted for its striking symmetry of proportion, exquisite minarets cupolas, parapets and cornices and is supposed to have been an inspiration for the Taj Mahal at Agra. Rauza (Roza) literally means a garden. The gardens are beautifully sculpted and are enclosed within an imposing wall and have some superb gateways. The square enclosure consists of 2 buildings, one housing the tombs of Ibrahim Adil Shah II and his family & the other a mosque.

This monument shows the creativity of its Iranian born architect. The architect's simple grave lies within the courtyard. He was buried there at his request, to be close to the Sultan. One cannot stop and marvel at the tremendous effort put in by other sculptors, who carved every stone that makes up this beautiful complex. Built on a single slab of bed-rock, the architects have attained a perfect balance on the site, with the mausoleum on the left and the prayer hall to the right. This whole structure lies above a basement, which houses secret passages (used to store munitions and food) and also holds living quarters for the cavalry, with stables opposite.

Two stone chains (each carved from a single rock) hang from the sides of the prayer hall. Each door (made in teak wood and re-enforced in metal) in this complex is unique, with some excellent features. The door handles are iron and brass and provide for some intricate patterns, which are largely intact. The arches in the hallway surrounding the inner perimeter of the mausoleum are superbly crafted. The facades of the building provide for some stunning art-work in stone, including a map to the basement, which lies under the mausoleum. An acoustic feature in this complex is worth mentioning. If you are standing at the mausoleum by the grave side of the Sultan, you can distinctly hear the prayers being said at the other end, in the prayer hall. You could be of any religious faith to appreciate the acoustics and the tranquility of the environment.

The Citadel
Surrounded by its own fortified walls and wide moat in the city centre, the Citadel once contained the palaces, pleasure gardens and durbar hall of the Adil Shahi kings. The Citadel in the centre of town though mostly in ruins still has a unique charm. The best of which is the Gagan Mahal built by Adil Shah to serve as the dual purpose of a royal residence and a durbar hall. Nearby is the Sat Manzil, Mohammed Adil Shah's seven storey palace, though substantially in ruins. Then there are the Jala Manzil, a delicate water pavilion surrounded by secluded courts and gardens and the Bara Kaman, the ruined mausoleum of Ali Roza that has graceful arches.

Malik-e-Maidan
One of the largest bell metal guns in the world, it measures 4.45 m in length, 1.5 m in diameter and 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 and 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 and 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
The Jumma Masjid is said to be the most beautiful mosque in south India and one of the finest in India. It is the largest and the first constructed mosque in Bijapur. It was built between 1557 -1686, most of it during Ali Adil Shah reign, who acquired the land after defeating the rich Ramaraja of Vijayanagar. Sprawling over an area of about 1,16,300 sq.m and having graceful arches, a fine dome and a large inner courtyard with room for 2250 worshippers, spaces for them marked out in black squares on the polished floor, the Mosque's sacred alcove has the Koran intricately painted on it with letters of gold.

Mehtar Mahal
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 and stone trellis work in Hindu Style. The Mehtar Mahal is a stained but richly decorated building that serves as an ornamental gateway to a small mosque. It is said that it was built for the sweepers of the royal house!

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: Asar Mahal, located near the citadel, served as a Hall of Justice. 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.