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About Vijayapura
Vijayapura is a district in India’s Karnataka state. Though officially known as Vijayapura, locals refer to it as Bijapur. The Kalyani Chalukyas founded the city in the 10th and 11th centuries and named it Vijayapura, which means “City of Victory”. Following that, Hoysalas and Yadavas ruled the city, but there are no significant remnants of these Hindu rulers. The Adil Shahi dynasty ruled Vijayapura from 1490 to 1686. It is now well-known for its historical Adil Shahi architectural monuments.
Top 12 Places to Visit in Vijayapura In a Day
Gol Gumbaz
The most prominent monument in Vijayapura is Gol Gumbaz. It is Muhammad Adil Shah’s tomb and one of the Deccan Indo-Islamic architectural masterpieces. It’s a big dome with a whispering gallery at the base of it. This Gol Gumbaz is remarkable for its technically ingenious acoustic engineering at the whispering gallery. The barest sound made at one end can be clearly heard at the other. There is an archaeological museum in the same complex.
Read more about Golgumbaz here
Shivagiri
Basavanth Patil and T.K.Patil Banakatti charitable trust installed the Shiva temple at Shivagiri. It is located on Vijayapura-Sindagi road. The Lord Shiva statue stands 85 feet tall and weighs 1500 tons, making it one of the largest in India. The idol is made of cement and steel. In front of Shiva is a massive Nandi. A small Shiva Linga and Nandi are also found beneath Lord Shiva’s statue.
In addition to the statue, there is a lawn, a seating area, and a small play area for children. There is also a temple to honor Ganesha and Gayatri Devi within the complex. There are a few stalls and an idol of Buddha, Neelambike, and Basavanna near the entrance. Adults must pay 20 rupees entry fee. It is both a temple and a picnic area for locals. It is gradually becoming a pilgrimage site, and it becomes extremely crowded during Maha Shivaratri. Overall, it’s easy to spend an hour or more here.
Jamia Masjid
Ali Adil Shah – I initiated Jamia Masjid as a congregational mosque in the 16th century. This is one of the largest mosques during the reign of Ali Adil Shah. He commenced it to commemorate his Talikote’s triumph but was not able to complete it. The Quran, written on a mehrab with golden ink and decorated in blue, black, and gold, is the mosque’s distinguishing feature. A large courtyard, seating areas, and a water tank are all part of the complex. There is no entry fee and we must remove our shoes at the entry gate.
Mehtar Mahal
Mehtar Mahal is right next to Jamia Masjid. A sweeper started this three-story Indo-Saracenic style building. In Hindu architectural style, it has two slender minarets carved with swans and birds. There is no entry for visitors inside. However, you can see the building from the outside.
Jod Gumbaz
Jod Gumbaz, also known as Abdul Razaq Darga, has two mausoleums. It is also known as the tombs of Abdul Razaq Qadiri and Khan Muhammad. It is a one-of-a-kind memorial to traitors. Today, this is still considered a pilgrimage site. Furthermore, women are not allowed inside the main shrine; only men are allowed. ASI is also in charge of Jod Gumbaz. The surrounding area is neglected, but the tomb is well-kept. There is no entry fee to visit.
Taj Bawdi
Taj Bawdi is a small water tank to honor Taj Sultana, Ibrahim II’s wife. Two octagonal towers flank the entrance. The gate to the water tank is closed to prevent contamination of the water. So we can only observe it from the outside.
Ibrahim Roza
Ibrahim Roza is widely regarded as one of India’s most beautifully proportioned Islamic monuments, as well as a model for the Taj Mahal. Ibrahim Adil Shah II constructed it and it houses his tomb complex, as well as those of his wife and family. In this context, the word Roza means tomb and is hence known as Ibrahim Roza. It has twin square buildings with delicate carvings. On either side of the twin buildings are lovely ornamental gardens. A mosque and a fountain connect the two structures within the complex. However, there is no water in the fountain at present. We must leave our shoes outside the tomb. Indians must pay an entry fee of 25 rupees. Parking is available outside the monument.
Malik-e-maidan
Malik-e-Maidan, also known as ‘Master of the Field’, is the largest 16th-century cannon located at Vijayapura fort. This cannon is the world’s largest in its class. It is made of bell metal, measures 4.2 m in length, and 1.5 m in diameter, and weighs approximately 55 tonnes. Adil Shah – I used it in the battle of Talikota to attack Aliya Rama Raya of the Vijayanagara Empire. Malik-e-Maidan got its name after the Deccan Sultanates’ victory. Further, you will notice the cannon on the other side of the fort. There is no entry fee.
Upli Buruz
Upli Buruz is almost next to the Malik-e-Maidan, which is where we went next. Hyder Khan built it around 1854 as a watchtower to improve security. The Upli Buruz, also known as the Hyder Burj or Upli Burj, is an 80-foot-tall cylindrical tower with stone steps winding around it. It has nearly 150 steep steps. Elders and people with knee problems can avoid this location. There are two cannons on top, and you can see the view of the city. There is no admission fee.
Bara Kaman
Bara Kaman is Ali Adil Shah – II’s unfinished mausoleum. It houses Ali Adil Shah II’s and his family’s tombs. Bara Kaman got the name because the king intended to build it with twelve arches. Ali planned to have twelve arches both horizontally and vertically around his tomb. However, it was not completed for unknown reasons. As per the legend, the shadow of Bara Kaman falls on Gol Gumbaz if it is complete. So Ali’s father murdered him because he didn’t want Bara Kaman to diminish Gol Gumbaz’s glory. All that remains now are the ruins of twelve horizontal arches. The structure features raised walls with concentric arches. Instead of cement, only iron rings hold the stones together. ASI is in charge of this site. It has beautiful gardens on all sides.
Bara Kaman is a great spot for filming or photographing. There is no admission fee to this location. You can hire a guide for around 150 rupees to give you a detailed description of the area. Keep an eye out for open and unclosed edges when travelling with children. Also, there are no nearby parking facilities, and the area is congested, so if you are driving, you must park a distance away.
Gagan Mahal
Ali Adil Shah – I built the Gagan Mahal as a royal palace. It is fortified on all sides. This citadel once housed the Adil Shahi rulers’ Durbar hall, palaces, and pleasure gardens. Unfortunately, these structures are now in ruins. We can also sit and relax on the lawns at this location. In addition, if desired, street vendors will serve food inside the lawns. This is most likely a small picnic spot for locals.
Asar Mahal
Muhammed Adil Shah constructed Asar mahal in 1646 to serve as the Hall of Justice. It is a mosque now with a reflecting pool in front of it. It is open to the public mainly to men. Within the radius, we can see the ruins of the fort. There is also a garden in the front, where children were playing during our visit.
How To Reach Vijayapura
Route (From Bangalore)
Vijayapura is 523 km from Bangalore.
By Road
Car/Bike
- The shortest route from Bangalore to Vijayapura is via NH 48 and NH 50, which run through Tumkur, Chitradurga, Hospet, Ilkal, and Vijayapura.
- It will take approximately ten hours.
Bus
- There are numerous public and private buses that run from Bangalore to Vijayapura during the day and at night.
- It will take roughly 14 hours to arrive during the day.
By Rail
- There are 2 direct night trains from Bangalore to Vijayapura daily as of now. You can take either the Gol Gumbaz express or the Basava express.
- There are also a few more trains that run on certain days of the week.
- It will take almost 15 hours to get there.
By Air
- Vijayapura does not have any airports currently.
- Domestic airports in the vicinity of Vijayapura entail Belgaum, Hubli, and Kolhapur. Belgaum airport is about 213 km away, Hubli airport is about 198 km away, and Kolhapur is about 178 km away.
- If you’re looking for international airports, Pune and Hyderabad International airports are the closest options. You could also fly into Bangalore International Airport.
- Moreover from all these points, you can take cabs, trains, or buses to Vijayapura.
Travel Tips for Vijayapura
- You can easily visit all of the major monuments of Vijayapura within a day.
- You can get around the city by auto, bus, or cart. You can also hire an auto or cab for the day and tour all of Vijayapura’s major monuments.
- Winter is the best season to visit the city. You can also plan your trip during the rainy season by keeping weather conditions in mind. Because the area generally receives less rainfall, you will be able to visit without much difficulty. Summer, on the other hand, is not ideal because the region becomes overly hot during the season.
- Keep hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen on hand. Also, if you’re visiting during the monsoon season, carry rain ponchos or umbrellas.
- Check out our post on North Karnataka Itinerary for a suggested itinerary of well-known North Karnataka attractions.
- Vijayapura offers vegetarian meals. Small canteens that serve lunch in the North Karnataka style are preferable because they prepare and serve delicious food at a reasonable price.
