Bijapur, located in the Bijapur district of Karnataka, is a famous city known for its historical monuments, which were built during the Adil Shahi dynasty and are of rich architectural importance. This city is believed to have been established between the 10th and 11th centuries by the Kalyani Chalukyas and is popularly known as Vijayapura. It was later passed on to the Yadavas and conquered by the Bahmani sultanate in 1347. After the split of the Bahmani sultanate, the Bijapur sultanate ruled the city. This city is one of the most famous heritage sites in Karnataka and has been declared one of the corporations of Karnataka. Get to know about the famous tourist places in Bijapur to gain knowledgeable experience in the history and architecture.
Top Tourist Places In Bijapur
If you are in Karnataka, Bijapur is an important place to visit because of its cultural and historical significance. Here are a few famous tourist destinations in Bijapur, where you can learn about the city’s history and rulings.
1. Gol Gumbaz
Image Credit: Mukul Banerjee for Wikimedia Commons
Gol Gumbaz, also pronounced as Gol Gumbad, is a mausoleum built in the 17th century that houses the remains of Muhammad Adil Shah, the seventh Sultan of the other Shahi dynasty. The mausoleum was never completed, but it is still a large dome, an essential example of Adil Shahi’s architecture. The construction of this building started between 1627 and 1656 during the close of Mohammed Ali Shah’s reign. The construction was stopped in 1656 due to Muhammad Ali Shah’s death and never actually completed. The Gol Gumbaz is one of the most technically advanced domed structures erected in the Deccan and one of the world’s most significant single chamber structures.
Location: Gol Gumbaz – vijayapura, Jadar Galli, Vijayapura, Karnataka 586104
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed on Fridays
Must Read: Historical Places In Karnataka
2. Jama Masjid
Image Credit: Vivek B Govindaraju for Wikipedia
Jama Masjid, located in Bijapur, is also known as Jamia Masjid and Jumma Masjid. It is a congregational mosque initiated by Ali Adil Shravan in the 16th century but was never completed. The largest mosque in Bijapur can hold up to 4000 people. The construction of this Jama Masjid began in 1576, and the majority of the construction was completed by 1686. This muscle is also an example of Adil Shahi’s architecture, which influenced Iran. There are also murals near the mosque, Central Mihrab, which are believed to have been made by Muhammad Adil Shah.
Location: Jamiya Masjid, Jamiya Masjid Rd, opp. Jamija Masjid, Vijayapura, Karnataka 586101
Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
3. Shivagiri
Image Credit: Sissssou2 for Wikipedia
Shivagiri Temple is a statue of Lord Shiva that is 85 feet tall, built by T.K. Patil Banakatti, a charitable trust in Bijapur. It has now become a famous pilgrimage location and one of Bijapur’s most visited tourist locations. Nearly 150,000 devotees visit this place every year, especially during Maha Shivaratri. This temple was built in memory of the father of Mr. Basant Kumar Patil, in his hometown of Bijapur. The statue of Lord Shiva is approximately 1500 tons and is considered the second largest of Lord Shiva in India and the world’s 4th tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world.
Location: Shivagiri Temple, Gulbarga Highway, Vijayapura, Karnataka 586104
Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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4. Ibrahim Rauza
Image Credit: Aanand for Wikipedia
Ibrahim Rauza is a mausoleum, a mosque, and a funerary complex with a fountain between them. It is built in the style of Indo-Islamic monuments. This was built by Taj Sultana, the wife of Sultan Ibrahim Adil Shah II, in 1627. It took 8 years to complete the entire structure of the building, and this is one of the most remarkable artistic achievements of the other Shahi dynasty. This Ibrahim Rauza is commonly known as the black Taj Mahal of South India because of its beautiful architecture, similar to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
Location: RPH3+XR7 Ibrahim Roza – Vijayapura, Ibrahim Roza Rd, Shastri Nagar, Vijayapura, Karnataka 586101
Timings: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
5. Jod Gumbaz
Image Credit: Jod Gumbaz for Wikipedia
Jod Gumbaz is a combination of two tombs located in Bijapur that were built during the late Adil Shahi period and completed their construction in 1687. It is believed to contain the tombs of Khan Mohammad and his spiritual advisor, Abdul Razzaq Qadrii. Khan Muhammad was a military commander in the service of the Adil Shahi, and he was bribed into switching alliances with the Mughals. This information reached Adil Shah through Afzal Khan when Khan Muhammad was assassinated. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb ordered the building of a mausoleum using the taxes paid by Bijapur to the Mughals dedicated to Khan Mohammad.
Location: Jod Gumbaj Tombs, Jod Gumbaj Complex, Bus Stand-Meenakshi Chowk Rd, Godbole Mala, Vijayapura, Karnataka 586101
Timings: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Further Read: Places To Visit In Murudeshwar
Bijapur is home to many heritage sites, making it rich in history and culture. There are tombs, mosques, and other places that you can visit. This guide will help you sort out the most interesting ones. Now that you know what attractions to see in Bijapur, plan your trip to Karnataka as soon as possible to explore various other fascinating historical locations.
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Cover Image Credit :Sanyam Bahga for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Tourist Places In Bijapur
Are all the tourist places in Bijapur located near each other?
Yes, most of the famous destinations located in Bijapur are nearby, some of them are within walking distance and most of them are within 10 km away of each other.
What is the ideal time to visit Bijapur?
The best time to visit Bijapur is between October to February, because during those times the weather conditions are perfect and cooperative for the tourist to explore the places nearby without much hassle.
What are the places in Bijapur famous for?
Most of the places in Bijapur are famous for their rich cultural heritage, architecture and historical monuments, mostly from the Adil Shahi dynasty period. Many places in Bijapur are considered one of the top places in the world.
How to reach Bijapur?
By air Swami Vivekananda airport in Raipur is the nearest international airport to reach Bijapur which is 480 km away. By rail Dantewada railway station in Bijapur is the nearest one. By road there are many national highways from various parts of Andhra Pradesh Maharashtra and Hyderabad to reach Bijapur.
Are there any accommodations available in Bijapur?
Yes, there are many hotels in Bijapur with different price ranges and facilities provided according to the preferences of the tourists. There are also architecture-themed hotels available.
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