Discovering Telangana: Chandraghad Fort-‘The Hidden Jewel’

Monsoon is the best time for traveling in India. For travelers like me, I find traveling in this time is most romantic and soothing to the soul. As nature and the pleasant weather along with it adds unbeatable charm. Yes, I’m talking about Telangana the youngest state in India, where travel is highly rewarding as it boasts many unexplored gems in its tablelands.

Happiness is a car, good friends and pleasant roads..

Road less traveled:

For many hyderabadies, the least popular getaway is Mahbubnagar. It is around 90 kms and it can be reached in less than 2 hours on a smooth road.  As we live in Mahbubnagar town we’ve decided to explore the interiors of it.

Road trip with good buddies is never boring..

So, we planned a quick weekend getaway to Chandraghad fort. After about two hours on the road, we reached our first stop Jurala dam. This place is well known for its barbeques. We had lunch here. Then we started to the Chandraghad fort.

Driving through the countryside, dotted with paddy fields and hillocks. I always love exploring new places and Chandraghad fort is one of the best places I’ve been so far in Telangana. It is a Hidden jewel in Telangana.

Mandatory groupfie at Jurala dam

yayie!!

Where is it?

It is a picturesque hill fort and is located on the banks of River Krishna at Chandraghad Village, Mahabubnagar District, Telangana. It is about 8kms from Juraladam. There are no sign boards for this place. One has to take help of Google maps or Locals in order to reach this place. It takes 20 to 30mins of walk to reach the hilltop from the nearest road point.

A Peek into history:

This Fort was built during Peshwas and belongs to Chandrasena Jilledar. This is a strong fort constructed to store the grains and taxes collected from people. The fort offers the remains of the protective walls, gateways and several ruined buildings. The Sri Ramalingeshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located inside the fort.

View of the fort from the bottom of the hill..

It was a pleasant day!!

Looks magnificent isn’t it?

Chapora Fort of Telangana:

It has a great view from the top. The fort sits on the top of a hill and there’s a magnificent view in all directions. It is a pleasant place to wander. After witnessing the sunset. We almost felt the same when we experienced sunset in Chapora fort. Hence we named it as ‘Chapora Fort of Telangana’.

Sunset time!!

It is a pleasant place to wander.

Road view…

360 shot!!

Old monk_Lord of the drinks? Agree?

Tips from my perspective:

• There’s no public transport facility to this place. Traveling by own vehicle is preferred. If you are traveling by car, there’s a narrow way which leads to the hilltop.
• Use google maps or ask locals
• Best time to visit this place is during the months August to February
• Carry your food and water bottles.
• Reach this place before 6pm.

Discovering Telangana: Andalamma old Temple Peddapalli

Today I’m gonna post about that place which is least explored. And is not even in Telangana Heritage list of monuments. While we were on a road trip to Ramagundam we thought of visiting Hanuman temple but we were lost. After asking the locals for addresses we accidentally discovered this place.

The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization.  -Frank Lloyd Wright

Andalamma old temple, a late medieval period temple is located in Dharmabad village of Peddapalli district.  It is located 39 KM towards East from Karimnagar.

Great buildings that move the spirit have always been rare. In every case they are unique, poetic, products of the heart. -Arthur Erickson

It seems to be the temple and mandapa was constructed during the Qutub Shahi period when Vaishnavism was spreading in the Telangana region. There are no Idols in the temple. It was not at all maintained/worshipped since ages.

It is secluded and is almost deserted.

This temple’s architecture is so unique and beautiful. I hope Archaeological survey of India (ASI) should take over this place and develop it into a tourist destination.

This is one of the best get-aways for all those Karimnagarites. If you are looking for any couple shoot kind of a thing or if you are an architecture lover. Then you can visit this place…

 

That’s me..

Gateway…

Nearby places to visit are:

1. Buddhist stupa
2. Ramagir fort (Built during Kakatiya regime)
3. Siva temple (Temple built of roughly dressed stone), Peddapalli
4. Siva Trikuta temple, peddapalli
5.Sri Vasavi Andal Ranganatha Swamy Temple

P.S: You can find this place on Google maps

Happy World Photography Day: With Inspiring Quotes

The World Photography Day originates from the invention of the Daguerreotype, a photographic processes developed by Joseph Nicèphore Nièpce and Louis Daguerre in 1837. On August 19, 1839, the French government purchased the patent and announced the invention as a gift “Free to the World”.

Photography has the ability to tell stories and inspire people. It has changed the way we see the world and gave us the ability to share our perception on the world around us. The moment might be fleeting, but once photographed it gets frozen for a lifetime. Photographs have the potential to evoke memories and take us back to the past.The day also serves as an inspiration for many to take up photography as a profession or to pursue it as a zealous hobby.

“Photography is the story I fail to put into words.” — Destin Sparks

Some of my Favourite & Inspirational Quotes for Photographers:

1. “Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.”— Aaron Siskind

2. “We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us.” — Ralph Hattersley

3. “Photography for me is not looking, it’s feeling. If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, then you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.” — Don McCullin

4. “The best thing about a picture is that it never changes, even when the people in it do.” – Andy Warhol

5. “The picture that you took with your camera is the imagination you want to create with reality.” — Scott Lorenzo

6. “I don’t trust words. I trust pictures.” — Gilles Peress

7. “There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer.” — Ansel Adams

8. “The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.” — Elliott Erwitt

9. “What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”— Karl Lagerfeld

10. “When people ask me what equipment I use – I tell them my eyes.” — Anonymous

    

    “A photograph is a moment – when you press the button, it will never come back,” -René Burri.

11. “Today everything exists to end in a photograph.”— Susan Sontag

12. “Most things in life are moments of pleasure and a lifetime of embarrassment; photography is a moment of embarrassment and a lifetime of pleasure.” — Tony Benn

13. “When I photograph, what I’m really doing is seeking answers to things.” — Wynn Bullock

14. “Once photography enters your bloodstream, it is like a disease.” — Anonymous

15. “Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I’m going to take tomorrow.” — Imogen Cunningham

Thank you WordPress for being the best medium to share our creativity. And Thank you photography for helping me in getting hundreds of friends across the world without any barriers..

Badami Cave temples: ‘A fine balance of versatility and restrain’

After visiting Aihole and Bijapur, we started our journey towards Pattadakal, which was just 10 kms from Aihole. Ever since I read ‘Temples of South India’ book I was very curious and excited about these UNESCO World Heritage Sites and added it to my bucket list. Since we are travelling on our own it was quite easy for us to cover Bijapur-Aihole-Pattadakal-Badami stretch.

Boothnath temple on the green waters of the Agastya lake…

Temples build by Western Chalukyas invoke a sense of peace and tranquility by their systematic and symmetrical approach..

Bagalkot District of Karnataka is blessed with some amazing historical sites of Ancient Indian like Badami, Pattadakal. These places were the most important centers of Chalukyan Empire. These three places are located in the close vicinity of each other and with a bit of planning can be covered in a single day.

Places to Visit in Badami:

Badami can be best experienced simply, by a walk through the ruins. All the major attractions of Badami are located around the Agasthya Lake and sandwiched between two high mountain cliffs on its North and South. It is about 1km walk from the bus stand.

The fort on the Northern hill-top is visible from the main road itself.

Archaeological Museum of Badami:

There is a stone statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull, at the entrance of the museum. The museum mainly comprises of pre-historic stone implements and sculptures, inscriptions etc. datable from 6th to 16th century AD.

Walking further, we reached to a beautiful lake called Agasthya Lake. This lake is surrounded by the Badami Caves, Red sandstone hills, Bhootnath Temple, small houses of Badami and the beautiful flight of steps (the ghats). The water in this lake is believed to have some healing power too. The sandstone steps (ghats) from three side of the lake make it more beautiful.

There we are…posing for a pic

Badami in Hindu Mythology:

Legend says that there were two demon siblings in the ancient times, one is Vatapi and another one is Ilvala. The older brother Ilvala converted Vatapi in red meat and offered that to the poor souls living in the area. Unaware of the tricks, people ate that meat happily. Then, Ilvala re-converted that meat back into Vatapi who then emerges by tearing through the person’s body causing death. One day they did the same trick to the great saint Agasthya. But, the saint was able to digest the meat, thus causing death of Vatapi. This put an end to the misery of local people. These two hills in Badami to its north and south are supposed to represent the demons Ilvala and Vatapi.

The lake between these hills was named as Agasthya Lake or Agasthya Tirtha in honour of the great saint.

Bhootnath Temple :

This temple is located at the Eastern side of the lake and is believed to be built in 5th century. These temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Inside the temple, there are lot of carvings on the wall.

Behind the temple, there are some excellent carvings of the Hindu gods on the rock.

`These carvings are chiseled in a single rock and have the images of Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Varah Avtar of Lord Vishnu, Narsingh Avtar of Lord Vishnu, etc.

Badami Fort and Adjacent Area: Again walking along the Agasthya Tank, we moved towards the northern hill through an access road adjacent to the museum. This hill has an amazing package to unfold for its visitors. Top of the hills are almost flat, full of shrubs and thorns, many walkable trails and houses, small water reservoir, some small temples with excellent carvings and Badami Fort. After visiting the Northern Side of the lake, we moved towards the Southern Hill, that houses the famous cave temples.As one walks along the lake,the road leads to an 18th century mosque.

Badami Caves:

Badami is famous for its four cave temples  all cut out of a monolithic (single) rock of sand stone on the precipice of a hill. First three of these temples are dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses and the last one is basically dedicated to JainTirthankars.

monolithic (single) rock of sand stone on the precipice of a hill.

The four cave temples represent the secular nature of the rulers then.

Cave Temple 1 : Moving inside, a long flight of steps took us to the first cave. This cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This cave temple dates back to the 5th century CE and was built by Chalukyan King Pulkesin-I. There is a carving of the cosmic dance of Nataraja depicted with eighteen arms. With these 18 arms, Lord Shiva can make 81 dance poses or mudra of Natya Shastra.

There are also sculptures of Hindu gods and godesses.

 

Cave Temple 2 : The second cave temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his avatars (incarnations).

The best carving in this cave is the image of Lord Vishnu in his Varaha avatar (Varaha the pig-faced, human-bodied Lord, half human-half animal). In this avatar, he rescued the Goddess Bhudevi (The Earth) from the demon Hiranyaksha.

On the ceiling of this cave, there are carvings of Vishnu on Garuda and several other scenes from the puranas.

On the ceiling of this cave, there are carvings of Vishnu on Garuda and several other scenes from the puranas…

Cave Temple 3 :  The third cave is dedicated to Vishnu, and is the best and the biggest, and it has splendid giant figures of Paravasudeva, Bhuvaraha, Harihara and Narasimha.  An inscription found here records the creation of the shrine by Mangalesha in 578AD. There are some paintings on the ceiling and the style indicates maturity but has lost its original dazzling colour.

Lord Vishnu statue.. All the statues in this cave are engraved in a vigorous style.

Cave Temple 4 : The fourth cave is Jaina which lies a little east of cave III. The sanctum is adorned by the image of Mahavira.

Tips from my perspective:

• It is approx. 420 kms away from Hyderabad and 500 kms away from Bengaluru.
• Timings: Daily except Fridays through the year from 10:00 Hrs to 17:00 hrs.
• Ticket Price: INR 5 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners.

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is an auspicious festival of Hindus. The Festival is observed as the birthday of Lord Ganesha. He is the elder son of Shiva and Parvathi.  A ten-day festival, it starts on the fourth day of Hindu luni-solar calendar month Bhadrapada, which typically falls in Gregorian months of August or September. The festival is marked with installation of Ganesha clay idols privately in homes, or publicly on elaborate pandals (temporary stage). People most pray him for the lord of art, wisdom, studies, and sciences. His devotees called him Ganapati or Vinayaka.

Eco-friendly Ganesh Idol at my home

Vinayak Chaturthi History & Significance:

The reason behind Ganesha’s birth is that Goddess Parvati created Ganesh with the dirt of her body while bathing. After that, she told him to guard near the door and said not to allow anyone inside. So at that time, Shiva returned home without knowingly Ganesha stopped him. So Shiva got angry and served Ganesh head. Later Parvati was enraged and Shiva promise Ganesh will live again.

Shiva order Devas to search for north facing the head of a dead person but they would find nothing. At that day Devas suggest to fix elephants head, and Shiva fixed Elephants head to Lord Ganesh and brought his life back. So this year it is celebrated on August 25, which is the fourth day of Shukla Chaturthi and end on the 14th day of waxing moon period.

On that day people celebrate with a lot of joy and do the festival with a huge budget. It is the main festival for all Hindus. They are many things you can learn from Lord Ganesh on this Vinayaka Chaturthi.

Lord Ganesha is our mentor and protector. May He enrich your life by always giving you great beginnings and removing obstacles from your life! Wishing you lots of happiness and get Lord Ganesha’s blessings on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Enjoy the festival.

Sasivekalu and Kadalekalu Ganesa, Hampi

 

 

 

 

Discovering Telangana: Mannemkonda-‘The Palamoor Tirupati’

Being a Hyderabadi, I always had this two questions from people during weekends…

• What do you guys do over your weekend?

• Don’t we have any weekend gateways around Hyderabad?

In fact, I used to share few places which most of them are aware of it, I don’t really have many places to share to go out for a drive over the weekends from Hyderabad.

My Beast: The car I drive say a lot about me

I could now realize the fact that most of us haven’t really explored the surreal beauty around Hyderabad. If you are nature lover, yes you have one now which is 2 hours drive from Hyderabad.

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises. -Pedro Calderon de la Barca

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. -Albert Einstein

Mannemkonda is best enjoyed when the sky is overcast, which makes the 20kms journey from Mahbubnagar delightful. The varied hues of Nature and fresh air rejuvenated my senses. The secluded green valley’s surrounding the hold this temple best kept secrets.

“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” – Kahlil Gibran

Before we arrived our destination, we had several stopovers to capture the nature at its best. I felt exactly like rolling greens spread like a carpet, floating clouds jealously hugged the Hillocks alongside and a seamless path ahead dotted with beautiful nature.

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree

“Nature itself is the best physician” – Hippocrates. “

Manyamkonda is the hill where the Lord Venkateshwara Swamy Temple is located. This place is very calm, mesmerizing, beautiful and of course a perfect destination for devotees and tourists. It is believed that this ancient temple is more than 500 years old. This temple is located in a cave which is reportedly balanced on top of the three hills. It is considered as one of the important spiritual centres in Mahbubnagar District. Here pilgrims can have a glimpse of the ancient caves where the sages were believed to have practiced penance.Hence this place was called as Munulakonda (Munulu means Saints and Konda means hill) and later as days passed by it has been referred as Mannemkonda or Manyamkonda.

Garuda Statue

A view from inside..

On the heart of the forest and on the hilltop, Lord Venkateshwara Swamy could be found majestically. The shrine is located on a hill which is 915 m high and at a distance of 2 Km from the village.

Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky..

  One can enjoy the nature’s splendour and scenic beauty at the temple. The temple has a beautiful Rajagopuram with the images of Gods and Goddesses carved on it. Very rarely we can find Lord Venkateshwara as a “Swayambhumurthi” which means self manifested. Seeing Lord Venkateshwara in the forest, with lush greens is truly a blissful experience.

Spending time in nature is healing energy..

Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we were looking through the gates of Heaven. -John Lubbock

If you are a nature lover and wanted to spend time peacefully plan for a trip to Manyamkonda. Have a nice week my dear friends!!

Aihole: The Cradle of the Ancient Hindu Temple Architecture

Aihoḷe is a small village in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka and located 400 kms from Hyderabad. It is known for Chalukyan architecture, with about 125 stone temples dating from 5th century CE. It was the cradle of ancient Hindu temple architecture. Experimentation with styles was undertaken by the artisans of Chalukyan Empire. The artisans worked on the rocks to create the earliest rock-cut shrines. The artisans graduated to the full-fledged Chalukya style of architecture. The early Chalukyas inherited architectural styles largely from their neighbors to the north and south of their kingdom.

After visiting all the must see places in Bijapur. We started to Aihole which was 110kms from Bijapur(via Nh 133/SH66) road till Ameengal was good and the last 10kms stretch was not drive friendly. Within an hour and so we’ve reached our first destination. We got surprised by seeing flocks of tourists. Then we realised that it was Sankranti/pongal (An Indian festival) Holiday season.

The prominent temple groups at Aihole are the Kontigudi group and the Galaganatha group of temples, although historians have divided all the temples into 22 groups. Three temples are referred to as the ‘Kontigudi group of temples’. One of these is the Lad Khan temple (the oldest at Aihole is the Lad khan temple dating back to the fifth century, named after a mendicant that lived in this temple in the 19th century, another the Huchiappayyagudi temple and the Huchiappayya math.

Durga temple: With a Curvilinear Shikhara

It is the best known of the Aihole temples and is just along the entrance to the temple complex. It is apsidal in plan, along the lines of a Buddhist chaitya, a high moulded adisthana and a tower – curvilinear shikhara. A pillared corridor runs around the temple, enveloping the shrine, the mukhamantapa and the sabhamantapa. All through the temple, there are beautiful carvings. The temple appears to be of the late 7th or early 8th century.

Lad Khan Temple consists of a shrine with two mantapas in front of it. The shrine bears a Shivalingam. The mukha mantapa in front of the sanctum has a set of 12 carved pillars. The sabhamantapa in front of the mukha mantapa has pillars arranged in such a manner as to form two concentric squares. There are also stone grids on the wall carrying floral designs. The temple was built by the Chalukya kings in the 5th century. Ladkhan Temple is to the south of the Durga temple are the temples of this group. The Ladkhan temple, so named, as a general of the name had lived here, consists of a square mantapa, a mukha mantapa and the sanctum, built against the backwall. The central square has a flat roof. In the centre Nandi is installed, and just above Nandi, there is a damaged nagara shikhara, appearing to be a later addition. The period of this structure is about 450 A.D.

We had a quick tour of all the other prominent temples of Aihole which includes Suryanarayana temple, Triyambakeshvara Group, Gowda temple, Huchimalli (gudi) temple,  Kontigudi group of temples, Rachi gudi, Gaudara gudi, Badigere, Huchappayya (gudi) temple & Museum. Because of a huge number of tourist we skipped some of the other prominent temples like Ravanaphudi temple and meguti jain temple. I made my mind at that moment that I am not done with Aihole yet. 😛

All the temple complexes have different style of construction that indeed indicates that Aihole was the place for early experiments in Chalukyan style of Architecture. This place simply took us back into the time. Aihole is not in the list of UNESCO World heritage places. It has a great potential to be included as a UNESCO World heritage site. Then we left to Pattadakal(Yet to post) which was 11kms from Aihole.

Monday Monochrome Mania: Monuments of Bijapur with Quotes

 Life is architecture and architecture is the mirror of life. – I.M. Pei

Architecture is an expression of values. – Norman Foster

Architecture is inhabited sculpture. – Constantin Brancusi

Architecture is the reaching out for the truth. – Louis Kahn

As an architect you design for the present with an awareness of the past for a future which is essentially unknown. – Norman Foster

One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time it is like life starting all over again. – Renzo Piano

Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness. Frank Gehry

Even a brick wants to be something. – Louis Kahn

I call architecture frozen music. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

To know more about these monuments and my trip to Bijapur click here

A Trip to Chalukyan Temples: An Experience to be felt

The Chalukya dynasty  was an Indian royal dynasty that ruled large parts of southern and central India between the 6th and the 12th centuries. During this period, they ruled as three related yet individual dynasties. The earliest dynasty, known as the “Badami Chalukyas”, ruled from Badami from the middle of the 6th century. The Badami Chalukyas began to assert their independence at the decline of the Kadamba kingdom of Banavasi and rapidly rose to prominence during the reign of Pulakeshin II. After the death of Pulakeshin II, the Eastern Chalukyas became an independent kingdom in the eastern Deccan. They ruled from Vengi until about the 11th century. In the western Deccan, the rise of the Rashtrakutas in the middle of the 8th century eclipsed the Chalukyas of Badami before being revived by their descendants, the Western Chalukyas, in the late 10th century. These Western Chalukyas ruled from Kalyani until the end of the 12th century.

The rule of the Chalukyas marks an important milestone in the history of South India and a golden age in the history of Karnataka. The political atmosphere in South India shifted from smaller kingdoms to large empires with the ascendancy of Badami Chalukyas. The rise of this empire saw the birth of efficient administration, overseas trade and commerce and the development of new style of architecture called “Chalukyan architecture”. Kannada literature, which had enjoyed royal support in the 9th century Rashtrakuta court found eager patronage from the Western Chalukyas in the Jain and Veerashaiva traditions.

Pattadakal Temples: A cluster of beautifully carved temples

Pattadakal temple

Virupaksha temple

 Badami:  Rock cut Cave Temples

Bhuthnatha temple

Vishnu sculpture in the Cave 3

Aihole: The Cradle of Indian temple Architecture

Durga temple, Aihole

Lad khan temple, Aihole

Mahadeva Temple, Itagi: Emperor among Temples

Doddabasappa Temple, Dambal: The dazzling temple

Lakkundi: Most Ornate temples

Jain temple, Lakkundi

Surya Shrine of Kasivisveswara temple, Lakkundi

Surya Shrine of Kasivisveswara temple, Lakkundi

 

P.S: This is just an introduction post of Chalukyas. Stay tuned to know more about the temple history, architecture, significance etc..

Source: Wikipedia.com

A trip to Bijapur: Agra of South

Bijapur now called as Vijaypuri city, is the district headquarters of Bijapur District of Karnataka state. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of the Adil Shahi dynasty. It is located 530 km northwest of Bangalore and about 550 km from Mumbai, and 384 km west of the city of Hyderabad.

In an introduction to an album of Bijapur published in 1866, Philip Meadows Taylor wrote: “Palaces, arches, tombs, cisterns, gateways, minarets, …all carved from the rich basalt rock of the locality, garlanded by creepers, broken and disjointed by peepul trees, each in its turn is a gem of art and the whole a treasury.

We had a big urge for visiting Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal-Dambal temples from a very long time. We plan every time and fail every time. Finally on 14th January 7:00pm, we’ve decided to fulfill our desire of visiting all the Chalukyan dynasty(Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal) temples via Bijapur. So we started to Bijapur which was 380kms away from Hyderabad(Via. Zaheerabad, Humnabad,Jevargi, Sindhagi etc.,) which seems to be better than Kodangal road. We reached around 2:00am and took a room in Navaratna international hotel which was 1100rs/room for 5members which was quite comfortable for 5 of us.

Tuk Tuk near Malik e Maidan, Bijapur.

Day 2:

After having breakfast, we started exploring Bijapur according to our planned itinerary which includes:

Jami masjid: Largest and oldest mosque in the Deccan

We started our trip from this place since it is quite near to our hotel. It is the largest and oldest mosque in the Deccan. Ali Adil Shah I, after his triumphant victory over Vijayanagara empire built this mosque. The most beautiful feature is the dome of this building which is highly proportionate.  It is a big mosque with huge prayer hall. There is no charge to see this place. We spent a lot of time in this mosque by discussing about the architecture styles of Adilshah with a well knowledged old man. It seems that around 2500 members can pray at a stretch in this mosque. Then we headed to Golgumbaz.

he most beautiful feature is the dome of this building which is highly proportionate

The mihrab here is gorgeously painted.

 

Gol gumbaz: An Acoustic wonder

This is the most famous monument in Bijapur. It is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (ruled 1627-1657). It is the largest dome ever built in India, next in size only to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome. A particular attraction in this monument is the central chamber, where every sound is echoed seven times. We’ve never seen such incredible acoustics. Another attraction at the Gol Gumbaz is the Whispering Gallery, where even minute sounds can be heard clearly 37 metres away. The stairs are narrow but the management have been maintaining the place very well with separate steps to go up and down. But we were unable to tolerate the echo sounds inside the dome so we were there only for 10mins. Over all it is the best and most enjoyable touristic attraction in Bijapur.

It is the largest dome ever built in India

View from the top…

Incredible architecture..

One more touristic attraction is The Archaeological Museum: It has several curious objects like inscriptions, sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, and weapons etc., displayed.

Ibrahim Rauza: Inspiration for the famous Taj-mahal

This is the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II (ruled 1580-1627), the fifth king of the dynasty.
It is one of the most prominent places to be visited in bijapur, It comprises two buildings, a magnificent tomb and a remarkable mosque enveloped by a garden. Facing each other, these twin buildings have a fountain in between them. This is the most ornate building in Bijapur. Cousins called the building as “The Taj Mahal of the Deccan”.It is said that the design for the Ibrahim Rauza served as an inspiration for that of the famous Taj Mahal.
The symmetry of the monuments was amazing, large well-maintained gardens, classic muslim architecture made my trip to bijapur more interesting than I’d originally thought. The Minarets and tomb are typical Muslim architecture, similar to the Taj Mahal and the Bibi ka Maqbarra. Though we visited this place in a wrong time, I loved clicking pictures of this marvel. Simply speaking it will be a delight to all those Photography enthusiasts, amateur photographers, and Professional photographers

This is the most ornate building in Bijapur.

The symmetry of the monuments was amazing..

Cousins called the building as “The Taj Mahal of the Deccan”

View from the gate

Malik-e-Maidan : Monarch of the Plains” or “Lord of the Battlefield

The largest medieval cannon in the world. It was placed on the Sherza Burj (Lion Gate) on a platform especially built for it. The cannon’s nozzle is fashioned into the shape of a lion’s head with open jaws & between the carved fangs is depicted an elephant being crushed to death. It is said that after igniting the cannon, the gunner would remain underwater in a tank of water on the platform to avoid the deafening explosion. The cannon remains cool even in strong sunlight and if tapped, tinkles like a bell. This relic has been well preserved. One has to climb one of the twin staircases on the fortification wall to reach the canon, now protected by iron railings.

Upli Buruj/Hyder burj:

Built around 1584 by Hyder Khan, is an 80 ft. This is a spherical structure with stone steps winding round the outside. After climbing the circular stairs we’ve reached the top there are two large cannons placed on this tower. And the top of the tower offers a commanding 360 degree view of the Bijapur city.

Top of the burz offers a 360degrees view of the city.

Circular stairs leading to the topp of the Upli burz

Large Canon

 

Jod Gumbaz: Identical domes

My friends weren’t impressed by the maintenance of this place so they didn’t get down from the car. I went alone and captured some pictures. You can skip this place if you have a limited time.

Taj bawdi:
It is quite near to Jod Gumbaz. This place lacks absolute maintenance. You can also skip this place.

Barakaman(twelve arches):

A mausoleum of Ali Roza built in 1672. Bara Kaman got its name because it was the 12th monument during his reign. It has now seven arches and the tomb containing the graves of Ali, his queens and eleven other ladies possibly belonging to the Zenana of the queens.

At 12:30Pm, we started to Aihole which was 110kms from Bijapur(via Nh 133/SH66 road. Road till Ameengal was good and the last 10kms stretch to Aihole was not drive friendly.

Tips and Highlights of the trip:

1. Entrance Fee for Golgumbaz was 5rupees, 25 rupees for camera , 30 rupees for parking. Parking fees for Ibrahim Rauza is 30rs.
2. Get ready to take a very narrow stairs around 5 stories to the top of Golgumbaz. Don’t miss this is an acoustic wonder.
3. Golgumbaz and Ibrahim rauza are the main highlights of this trip to Bijapur.
4. I would suggest to add Bijapur to your itinerary if you are planning a trip to Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal.
5. My suggestion for all those Hyderabadies who are planning to go for a heritage tour. Follow this road map HyderabadBijapurAiholePattadakalBadamiMahadevi temple ,Itagi(It will make you the drive bit longer)Hampi then back to Hyderabad.