Located 530km north-west of Bangalore, is Bijapur. It is close to Belgaum - the gateway to Karnataka from Goa and Mumbai. This ancient town was first settled in the 11th century by the Chalukyan dynasty and later rose to prominence as the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty. Bijapur has many places of historical, cultural and architectural interest. The city is best known for its magnificent 'Gol Gumbaz' which is the second largest dome in the world and other historical buildings, including the Jumma Masjid, which has been called one of the first mosques in India.
Places to visit
Gol Gumbaz: The tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, is the second-largest tomb in the world. 124 feet in diameter, the interior of the dome is mysteriously unsupported and has a whispering gallery under it, whose acoustics are superb. Any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed 9 times (11 times with fading) and creates an ideal stereophonic stage even for the weak-lunged singers. Even the smallest whisper amplifies and is clearly heard at the diagonally opposite side of the dome.Other places: Jumma Masjid, The Malik-e-Maiden
How to reach
The ideal time to visit Bijapur is September-February. The city is well-connected by road and rail to Bangalore, Belgaum and Goa. The nearest airport is Belgaum, 205 kms away.