Bijapur district is one of the largest districts in Karnataka state. Bijapur district is located in the northwest part of the state of Karnataka state and it is 613 km from Bangalore city. Bijapur's greatest attractions are architectural, especially Islamic architecture. Minarets, domes and echoing burial chambers all conjure up images of the Arabian Nights. Bijapur in northern Karnataka is famous for mosques, mausoleums, palaces, fortifications etc of the 15th to 17th centuries. Bijapur is Muslim in character.

The town is dotted with mosques, mausoleums, palaces and fortifications of the 15th to 17th century Muslim architecture. A formidable fort surrounds the town, which has some of the finest mosques in the Deccan and retains a pleasant atmosphere.

Gol Gumbaz : The tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, boasts of the second-largest tomb in the world. 44 m in diameter, the interior of the dome is mysteriously unsupported and has a whispering gallery under it, whose acoustics are superb.

Jumma Masjid : Still used for worship, has been called one of the first mosques in India. It holds an exquisite copy of the Koran, written in gold lettering.

lbrahim Roza : The mausoleum of lbrahim Adil Shah II, is said to have inspired the Taj Mahal in Agra.

The Malik-e-Maidan : The largest medieval cannon in the world, is 14 ft long, weighing 55 tons. Legend has it that if you touch the gun and make a wish, it will come true!

ALso worth a visit are the Mehtar Mahal, the ]od Gumbaz, Afzal Khan's Cenotaph, Asar Mahal, Anand Mahal, Ark-Killa, etc.

How to get there

Air : The nearest airport is Belgaum (205 kms), which is well connected to Mumbai and Bangalore.

Rail : Bijapur is well connected to Bangalore, Mumbai (via Solapur); Hyderabad (via Solapur or Hotgi Jn); Hospet (via Gadag) ; Vasco da Gama (via Hubli and Londa).

Road : Bijapur is well connected to many cities in south and west India, notably.