Located in North Karnataka, Bijapur district is bordered by the rivers Bhima on the north and Krishna on the South. It represents a stark landscape of red, rocky hills, long stretches of treeless fields and gigantic boulders strewn in groups over the rolling plains. The most popular attraction of the district is the historic city of Bijapur, the one – time capital of the Adil Shahi kings. It is dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces, fortifications, watchtowers, imposing gateways, graceful minarets; and mile of ruins steeped in history. Apart from these monuments, Bijapur is also home to famous temples like Siddeshwara and Shri Prasanna Ganesh.

Sight Seeing

Golgumbaz

The gigantic mausoleum dominates the landscape of Bijapur for miles around. At the center of the mausoleum are the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah, his wife, daughter, grandson and favourite court dancer. It houses the world’s second largest dome unsupported by pillars, after St. Peter’s in Rome. The dome forms a highly sensitive echo – chamber with the remarkable Whispering Gallery around the base of dome. This Gallery distinctly echoes the faintest whisper eleven times. One can have a fabulous view of the town from the Gallery. Built in 1659, the building’s most arresting features are the seven – storied octagonal spires at the four corners and the heavy bracketed cornice below the parapet.

Ibrahim Roza

Jumma Masjid

Set in a sprawling ground covering 1,16,300 sq. feet, the Jumma Masjid is often described as one of the finest mosques in India. With its graceful arches, aisles, halls, intricate designs and large crowning onion dome, it is said to be the jewel of Adil Shai architecture. Auragzeb later added a grand entrance and painted the floor with 2250 squares, one for each worshipper. What make it even more special are the verses of the Quaran beautifully inscribed in letters of gold in the mihrab.