The foundations of this historic city were laid during the reign of the Chalukyan Dynasty. They called it 'Vijayapura' or the 'City of Victory' from where comes its present name Bijapur. Bijapur experienced a great burst of architectural activity under the Adil Shahi dynasty, who encouraged building activities. Bijapur itself has over 50 mosques, more than 20 tombs and a number of palaces. It is well known for the monument of Gol Gumbaz, the second largest dome in the world.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Asar Mahal; Bara Kaman; Gagan Mahal; Gol Gumbaz (Timings: 0600-1800 hrs. Entrance: Rs.5/- for Indians, USD 2 or Rs.100/- for Foreigners. Friday Free); Ibrahim Rauza (Timings: 0600-1800 hrs. Entrance: Rs.5/- for Indians , USD 2 or Rs.100/- for Foreigners) ; Jami Masjid; Jod Gumbaz; Malik-i-Maidan; Mehtar Mahal; Taj Bawdi; Torvi.
Museum & Art Galleries: There is a museum maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India in front of the Gol Gumbaz. Timings: 1000 to 1700 hrs. Closed on Fridays
EXCURSIONS
Kumtagi (16 Km.): The lake and water pavilion built here by the Adil Shahis here are striking constructions. There are some fading paintings on the pavilion walls. Basavana Bagewadi (43 Km.): Bagewadi was the birthplace of Basaveswara, the great social and religious reformer of Karnataka. The presiding deity of the main temple here is Shiva as Sangananatha, popularly called Basavana or Basaveswara. Jamkhandi (62 Km.): It was the capital of the former Maratha principality of the Patavardhans and derives its name from the old Chalukyan temple dedicated to Jambukeswara. The festival of Basaveswara and a cattle fair attract a lot of people. Aihole (129 Km.): There is a remarkable group of temples here built during the reign of the Chalukyan rulers between the sixth and eighth centuries. Entrance: Rs.5/- (Indians) USD 2 or Rs.100/- (Foreigners). Badami (132 Km.): Once the capital of the Chalukyas, Badami is noted for its rock-cut cave temples and structural temples dating back to the sixth and seventh centuries; Pattadakal (148 Km.): A number of temples built between the 7th and 9th centuries during the Chalukyan reign, can be seen here. Entrance: Rs.10/- (Indians) USD 5 or Rs.250/- (Foreigners); Gulbarga (159 Km.): Gulbarga was a part of the Bahmani Kingdom which was subjugated by Aurangzeb in the 17th century. A Hindu city before the Muslim invasions, Gulbarga is a beautiful synthesis of the two cultures. It has a formidable fort with 15 towers and a large mosque - the Jumma Masjid. Accom : Hotel Mayura Bahamani (KSTDC), Public Garden, Tel: 08472-20644 (Rs.85/-). Other Hotels: Tariff of the following hotels ranges from Rs.150-550/- for a double room: Aditya Lodge, Main Rd, Tel: 24040; Mohan Lodge, Station Rd, Tel: 20294; Hotel Nagarjun, Station Rd, Tel: 22855; New Vaibhav Lodge, Super Market, Tel: 20526; Hotel Panchami International, Super Market, Tel: 41111; Hotel Pariwar, Main Rd, Tel: 21522; Hotel Raja Rajeshwari, M.S.K. Mill Rd, Tel: 25881; Hotel Santosh, College Rd, Tel: 22661; Hotel Southern Star, S.B. Temple Rd, Tel: 24093; Hotel Udaya, Main Rd, Tel: 20009; Vadiraja Lodge, Super Market, Tel: 21140; Hotel Vardhaman, Tel: 26892; Bidar (273 Km.): Capital of the Bahmani Kings in the early 15th cent., it is remarkable for the ruins of it's fort within which there are three palaces, the Rangeen Mahal, Chini Mahal and Turkish Mahal. There is a Gurudwara in Bidar, the Nanak Jeera Gurudwara.
Accom : Hotel Mayura Barid Shahi (KSTDC), Tel: (08482)
26571 (Rs.100-125/-).
Other Hotels : Tariff ranging from Rs.150-400/-for a double room : Hotel Ashoka, Tel:26249; Hotel Kailash, Tel : 27727; Hotel Kaveri, Tel: 27453; Hotel New Venkateshwar, Tel : 26443; Hotel Ratna, Tel: 27218; Hotel Raghavendra, Tel: 26020.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area : 17069 Sq.km. Altitude : 593 metres.
Temperature : Summer Max: 41 Deg.C. Min: 28 Deg.C.
Winter Max: 30 Deg.C. Min: 16 Deg.C.
Rainfall : 51.3 cm. Season : October to March.
STD Code : 08352.
TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION
Air : Kolhapur (175 Km.) & Belgaum (203 Km.) are the nearest airports. However, due to Suspension of flights to Kolhapur & Belgaum, Hyderabad (375 Km.) is the convenient airport which is connected with major cities in India.
Fare : Mumbai - Hyderabad : Rs. 5910/- (J) , Rs.4140/- (Y)
Rail : Bijapur is connected by rail with major cities / towns in south India.
Fare : Mumbai – Bijapur (via Solapur) : IInd A/c : Rs.1016/-, IInd class : Rs.243/-
Road: Bijapur is connected by road with Aihole 129 Km., Badami 132 Km., Bangalore 581 Km., Belgaum 203 Km., Bidar 273 Km., Gulbarga 159 Km., Hampi 254 Km., Hospet 241 Km., Hyderabad 375 Km., Kolhapur 175 Km., Mumbai 486 Km., Pattadakal 148 Km., Solapur 99 Km. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses connect Bijapur with Badami, Bagalkot, Bangalore, Belgaum, Hubli and Solapur.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel Mayura Adil Shahi (KSTDC), Anand Mahal Road, Tel: 50934. Tariff : Non.A/c. Sgl : Rs. 135/-, Dbl : Rs.155-200/- , 3 Bedded : Rs. 210/-.
Hotel Mayura Adil Shahi-Annexe (KSTDC), Anand Mahal Road, Tel: 50401 (A/c.Dbl : Rs.440/-)
Other Hotels
The tariff of the following hotels ranges from Rs.200/- to Rs.350/- for a single room and from Rs.350/- to Rs.750/- for a double room.
Hotel Godavari, near Sainik School, Tel:53105, (Rs.130/-) Hotel Himalaya, M.G. Rd, Tel: 51047; Hotel Lalitha Mahal, Opp: Bus Stand, Tel: 50761; Hotel Madhuvan International, Station Rd, Tel: 55571 ( Rs.200-800/-); Hotel Meghraj, Station Road, Tel: 51458 (Rs.200-460/-); Hotel Midland, Basaveshwar Chowk, Tel: 50299 (Rs.150/-); Mysore Lodge, Gandhi Chowk, Tel: 51777; Hotel Prasanth, Station Road, Tel: 50759; Hotel Rajdhani, M.G. Road, Tel: 53468 (Rs.120/-); Hotel Samrat, Station Road, Tel: 51620 (Rs.150-250/-); Hotel Sanman, Station Road, Tel: 51866 (Rs.200-500/-); Hotel Sapna, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Tel: 50758; Hotel Santosh, Near Bus Stand, Tel: 52179; Hotel Tourist, Station Road, Tel: 51840 (Rs.100/-).
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Tourist Bureau, Department of Tourism, Govt. of Karnataka, Hotel Adil Shahi Premises, Bijapur-586 101. Tel: 50359.
The Manager, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC), 10/4, Kasturba Road, Bangalore-560 001. Tel: 2212901-03. Fax: 2272580. E-mail: root@kstdcbng.kar.nic.in (Bangalore Office). Website : www.nic.in/kstdc
Karnataka Tourism Information Centre No.3, World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai. Tel: 2181658.
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