Gol Gumbaz – The Architectural Wonder of Karnataka

About Gol Gumbaz

Gol Gumbaz is located in the Vijayapura district of Karnataka. Gol Gumbaz comes to mind when we think of Vijayapura, formerly known as Bijapur. It is the most widely recognized monument in the region. The name Gol Gumbaz comes from the Kannada word Gol Ghumat, which means “round dome”. It is the mausoleum of Muhammad Adil Shah, the 7th Sultan of Bijapur’s Adil Shah dynasty. It is one of the finest examples of Deccan Indo-Islamic architecture.

Gol Gumbaz is notable for its massive proportions and enormous dome. After St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, it is the world’s next-largest dome, as well as one of the world’s largest single-chamber spaces. It is also famous for its whispering gallery, which is located at the base of the dome. Because of the dome’s reflection, even the faintest sound made at one end of the gallery can be heard clearly at the other. The ASI looks after this monument. Gol Gumbaz is classified as one of the most prominent Muslim monuments in South India.

Structure and Architecture

Gol Gumbaz is located behind the Archaeological museum. Only the dome is visible as you enter through the entry gate. Ornate gardens and lawns surround this complex on all sides. The walls of the structure are made of dark grey basalt and plaster. The tomb is famous for its technically brilliant construction, which includes an eight intersecting arches system that creates interlocking pendentives that support the dome’s weight. Arcades mark the levels of the towers’ that house stairwells which are seven sets in total. It is basically a 47.5 m cube with a 44 m diameter hemispherical dome on top. The dome is made of bricks and lime layers. At the bottom, there are six small openings.

The tombstones of Muhammad Adil Shah and his family members are placed on a platform in the center of the tomb. However, due to Muhammad’s death in 1656, this mausoleum was never completed. Before entering Gol Gumbaz, we must remove our slippers. Only two of the four stairs leading up to the whispering gallery are open to visitors. One stairwell is for ascending, while the other is for descending. Furthermore, four of the gallery’s windows are open to the outside, with the remaining four serving only as ventilators. A mosque not far from Golgumbaz is also off-limits to the general public. Kings used it during that period.

Whispering Gallery

As we entered the Gumbaz, a staff member directed us to the left of the hall for the whispering gallery. The architectural concept of this gallery is fantastic, as you can whisper at one end while listening clearly diagonally at the other. You can test this by whispering on any side near the benches and having someone listen on the other end. You can also hear a clear echo inside the gallery, making it difficult to try out the whispering experiment with all the noise if there is a crowd.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum was originally a Naqqar Khana or drum house. The British turned it into a museum in 1892. It is a two-story structure that houses a vintage memorabilia collection. The ground floor houses a photographic collection of iconic nearby locations, ruined idols, hero stones, and Chalukya and Jains inscriptions. The first flight of stairs consists of 32 steps. Portraits of Adil Shahi rulers, Sufi saints, carpets, porcelain utensils, warrior weapons such as swords and armor, cannons, maps, and daily ware items adorn the first stairwell. Adil Shahi’s coins are also on display, as are stone inscriptions in Sanskrit, Kannada, Arabic, and Persian scripts.

Travel Tips To Visit Gol Gumbaz

• Golgumbaz is open from 10 am to 5 pm. An entry fee of 25 rupees for adults and a cloakroom are available to keep your belongings. Also, there is an entry fee of 5 rupees for the Archaeological museum.
• You cannot carry food items and cosmetics inside.
• On-site parking is available.
• Restrooms and drinking water are available.
• You can hire a certified guide for around 400-500 rupees if required.
• The whispering gallery has approximately 100 steep steps. It is also too narrow and steep, with no adequate lighting. As a result, anyone with knee pain or who is elderly may find this climb difficult. However, there are resting areas at each step where you can take a break and admire the view before continuing on your way.
• Another consideration is that people will be shouting for the echo effect in the gallery, which may make hearing the whisper at the opposite end difficult. To avoid this, go to Gol Gumbaz first thing in the morning and have the gallery to yourself.
• The complex is well-kept. Please don’t litter and keep the area clean.
• Read our post on North Karnataka Itinerary for a suggested itinerary of well-known North Karnataka attractions.