¤ About Bijapur
530
kms to the northwest of Bangalore is the ancient town of Bijapur, the
capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty. Bijapur is close to Belgaum - the gateway
to Karnataka from Goa and Mumbai. Bijapur has many places of historical,
cultural and architectural interest.
¤ Major Tourist Attractions
of Bijapur» Gol Gumbaz - 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.
Jumma
Masjid - It is still used for worship, has been called one of the
first mosques in India. It holds an exquisite copy of the Koran, written in
gold lettering. Ibrahim Roza, the mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, is said
to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra.
The
Malik-e-Maidan - The largest medieval cannon in the world is 14 ft
long, weighing 55 tons. Legend has it that if you touch the gun and make a
wish, it will come true! Also worth a visit are the Mehtar Mahal, the Jod
Gumbaz, Afzal Khan's Cenotaph, Asar Mahal, Anand Mahal, Ark-Kila, etc.
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.
¤ AccomodationArranging for
accommodation in Bijapur is not a problem at all. There are numerous hotels
in Bijapur of all ranges that cater to travelers and tourists of all budget
classes.
Bijapur
