Bijapur tourist places

                             

 

 

The beautiful city of Bijapur is located in Karnataka in South India. It is famous for the many historic marvels that dot the city. The history of the city dates back to the 11th century when it was founded by the Chalukya dynasty. They referred to it as Vijayapura.

It was since the 14th century that the city was being called Vijapur or Bijapur when it came under the Bahamani sultanate of Gulbarga. The city was taken over by the Adil shah dynasty in the 15th century. Much of the city's greatness belongs to the monuments that were constructed during this period. After India's independence the place became part of the Bombay state but it was restored to Mysore in 1956.

The city comprises people of both Aryan and Dravidian descent. Most of the city's population is Hindu Lingayat. There are very few Christian and Muslim communities in the region.

There are several world famous locations in the city such as the following:

• Gol Gumbaz, one of the largest domes in the world
• Ibrahim Rauza, an architectural marvel
• Jumma Masjid, the largest mosque in the area
• Malik-e-Maidan, the largest medieval cannon in the world.

There are many more equally magnificent structures like Asar Mahal, Chand Bawdi, Gagan Mahal, Barakaman and Upri Buruj. Besides these the city also has several sprawling gardens.

Bijapur still maintains its royal character and the many monuments are sure to acquaint one with the rich culture and tradition of the area.

 

Best Time to Visit Bijapur

The best time to visit Bijapur is between the months of September and February when the temperature ranges from 20ºC to 30ºC.

The Siddheshwara Temple Car Festival is celebrated during the month of January, be sure to be there to partake in the festivities.

The weather is generally pleasant in Bijapur, except for the summer months. Avoid visiting Bijapur during April and May, as it can get searing hot with temperatures escalating to an excess of 40ºC.

The monsoons bedeck Bijapur with lush green foliage as mild showers are experienced from the months of June to September.

 

About The Bijapur

 

 

Bijapur city is the district headquarters of Bijapur District of Karnataka state. It is also the headquarters for Bijapur Taluka. Bijapur city is well known for its historical monuments of architectural importance built during the rule of the Adil Shahi dynasty. Bijapur is located 530 km northwest of Bangalore and about 550 km inland from Mumbai, and 384 km west of the city of Hyderabad.

Bijapur's urban population as per 2011 census is 326,000, perhaps the 9th biggest city in Karnataka. Bijapur Municipal Corporation is the newest city corporation formed under the KMC act along with Shimoga and Tumkur city corporations. The other existing city corporations in Karnataka state in descending order of population are Bengaluru, Hubli-Dharwad, Mysore, Gulbarga, Belgaum, Mangalore, Davangere and Bellary. Administratively, Bijapur district comes under Belgaum division along with Bagalkote, Belgaum, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri and Uttara Kannada (Karwar) districts.

The city was established in the 10th-11th centuries by the Kalyani Chalukyas and was known as Vijayapura (City of victory). The city was passed to Yadavas after Chalukya's demise. The city came under the influence of the Khilji Sultanate in Delhi by the late 13th century. In 1347, the area was conquered by the Bahmani Sultanate of Gulbarga. By this time, the city was being referred as Vijapur or Bijapur. Bijapur, Karnataka. Ironically the name Beejpur literally means replete with seeds in Sanskrit, meaning Pomegranate.

History

 

In 1518, the Bahmani Sultanate split into five splinter states known as the Deccan sultanates, one of which was Bijapur, ruled by the kings of the Adil Shahi dynasty (1490–1686). The city of Bijapur owes much of its greatness to Yusuf Adil Shah, the founder of the independent state of Bijapur. The rule of this dynasty ended in 1686, when Bijapur was conquered during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. In 1724 the Nizam of Hyderabad established his independence in the Deccan, and included Bijapur within his dominions. In 1760, the Nizam suffered a defeat by the Marathas, and ceded the region of Bijapur to the Maratha Peshwa. After the 1818 defeat of the Peshwa by the British in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Bijapur passed into the hands of the British East India Company, and was assigned to the princely state Satara. In 1848 the territory of Satara, along with Bijapur, was annexed to Britain's Bombay Presidency when the last ruler died without a male heir. The British carved a new district by the name Kaladagi. The district included present-day Bijapur and Bagalkot districts. Bijapur was made the administrative headquarters of the district in 1885, when the headquarters were moved from Bagalkot. After India's Independence in 1947, the district became part of Bombay state, and was reassigned to Mysore State, later Karnataka, in 1956.

Administrative History

Under the British Raj, Bijapur District was part of the Bombay Presidency. At the time of Indian independence, 1948, Bijapur District became part of Bombay State. In 1956, when South India was reorganized to consolidate speakers of the Kannada language, Bijapur District was transferred to the new state of Karnataka.In 1997, Bagalkot District was split off from Bijapur.

Description

The city consists of three distinct portions: the citadel, the fort and the remains of the city. The citadel, built by Ayush Narayan & Yogesh Chandra, a mile in circuit, is of great strength, well built of the most massive materials, and encompassed by a ditch 100 yards (91 m) wide, formerly supplied with water, but now nearly filled up with rubbish, so that its original depth cannot be discovered.The fort, which was completed by Ayush Narayan & Yogesh Chandra in 1566, is surrounded by a wall 6 m. in circumference. This wall is from 30 to 50 ft (15 m) high, and is strengthened with ninety-six massive bastions of various designs. In addition there are ten others at the various gateways. The width is about 25 ft (7.6 m); from bastion to bastion runs a battlemented curtained wall about 10 ft (3.0 m) high. The whole is surrounded by a deep moat 30 to 40 ft (12 m) broad. Inside these walls the Bijapur kings bade defiance to all comers. Outside the walls are the remains of a vast city, now for the most part in ruins, but the innumerable tombs, mosques, caravanserais and other edifices, which have resisted the havoc of time, afford abundant evidence of the ancient splendour of the place. Badami, Aihole, and Pattadakal, near Bijapur, are noted for their historical temples in the Chalukya architectural style.

People from the central Asian regions settled in this part, when they landed as part of the caravan with the muslium rulers. The local population is mainly a mix of Dravidian and Aryan descendants. Majority of people are Hindu Lingayats and Sunni Muslims. As per the 2001 census 3,34,254 people belong to the Scheduled Castes and 30,051 to the Scheduled Tribes. People belonging to the Lambani tribe have settled in the districts since long. The villages in which these groups live are referred as "Tandas".

Economy

Farming and agriculture related business is the main occupation for many people in the district. Of the total geographical area of 10,530 square kilometres, 7,760 square kilometres is available for cultivation which is 74% of the total area, while areas under forest account for only 0.19% of the total area. Only 17.3% of the net cultivable area is irrigated and the balance 82.7% of the area has to depend on the monsoon.

The cropping pattern in the district reveals that food crops like jowar, maize, bajra and wheat among cereals, red gram, Bengal gram and green gram among pulses are major crops cultivated in the district. The major oilseed crops are sunflower, groundnut and safflower. Horticulture crops like grapes, pomegranate, ber, guave sapota, lime are also grown.

Sports

Off late Bijapur district has produced some of the best known Road Cyclists in the national circuit. Premalata Sureban was part of the Indian contingent at the Perlis Open '99 in Malaysia.

Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Sports complex serves as the main centre for all activities related to sports. Facilities are available in the single sports complex for track and field events, volleyball, basketball, cricket and a velodrome for cycling. Apart from the government-managed infrastructure the private trust run BLDEA's Medical and Engineering college campus has also access to the state-of-the art facilities for fitness and sports. It can be noted that the popular games in the rural areas are Kabaddi and Kho Kho apart from Cricket. Cricket is still popular among local youth however having a winning team of volleyball and football is a matter of prestige for all the schools and colleges.

Every year the district administration organizes the Dasara Sports Meet during the Dasara festival to identify and nurture the talent of the future.

Art and culture

Navaraspur was the auditorium of the Adil Shahs, it is about 10 km outside the city limits. The ruins of the site are still visible. Every year the local administration organizes the Navaraspur Festival to attract tourists. Great personalities like Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Alla Rakha, Zakir Hussain, Mallikarjun Mansur, Gangubai Hangal and many more have performed in this festival.

Education

Bijapur is emerging as a hub for professional education. Previously (i.e. before 1980s) there were very few professional educational institutions. Along with the professional colleges there are many colleges which provide under-graduate and post-graduate degrees in the faculty of applied science, pure science,social-sciences and humanities.

Engineering colleges are affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University viz, B.L.D.E.A's V.P. Dr. P.G. Halakatti College of Engineering and Technology and SECAB College of Engineering and Technology

Medical colleges are affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. viz, BLDEA's B.M.Patil Medical College,Hospital and Research Centre and Al-Ameen Medical College

Many of colleges except professional are affiliated to Rani Chennamma University Belagavi viz, B.L.D.E.A'S A.S.PATIL COLLEGE OF COMMERCE(Autonomous)MBA Programme, Bijapur. Rani Chennamma University has a Post-Graduation Centre at Bijapur also.

First women's university in the state of Karnataka is located at Bijapur. Various post-graduate courses like MBA, MCA are conducted here. Additionally Bijapur boasts of the only Sainik school in the whole state. This is a residential school preparing cadets for the Defence forces. And there many private computer training institutes providing good computer education like NIIT,Aptech,ISCT etc.

The Bijapur district is known for its mosques, structural monuments, art and architectural heritages, archaeological sites and cave temples. With the objective to spread education in this area, Karnatak University opened its Post-Graduate Centre in 1993.

 

Things To Do

 

Bijapur has a rich heritage and has medieval monuments sprinkled all over the city. Bijapur’s things to do list include a lot of sightseeing. History buffs and artistically bent travellers can check out the old tombs and masjids, which possess an exclusive form of the Islamic architecture. Visit the Ibrahim Rauza garden and spend some peaceful time amidst greenery. Pay a visit to Jumma Masjid and Mehar Mahal to explore artistically carved balconies, gateways and stone frameworks or checkout the Malik-e-Maiden—largest medieval bell metal gun. Work up your appetite by shopping for some hand-woven traditional sarees, handicrafts, embroideries and Lambani Jewelry and then enjoy some authenticated Mughlai and Hyderabadi cuisines accompanied with sweet Milk Cakes.

 

Bijapur is a quaint old city with many architectural marvels of yore dotting the landscape and the outdoor activities in Bijapur is all about exploring these architectural marvels. If you want to enjoy cave exploration or wildlife safaris, visit the nearby places of Badami and Aihole. Sight Seeing   Historical Places   Gol Gumbaz This is the most famous monument in Bijapur. It is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah .It is the largest dome ever built, next in size only to St Peter's Basilica in Rome. A particular attraction in this monument is the central chamber, where every sound is echoed seven times. Another attraction at the Gol Gumbaz is the Whispering Gallery, where even minute sounds can be heard clearly 37 metres away. Gol Gumbaz complex includes a mosque, a Naqqar Khana (a hall for the trumpeters) (Now it is used as museum) and the ruins of guest houses. Ibrahim Rauza This is the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II ,the fifth king of the dynasty and, like the Mughal emperor Akbar, known for religious tolerance. Built on a single rock bed, it is noted for the symmetry of its features. It is said that the design for the Ibrahim Rauza served as an inspiration for that of the famous Taj Mahal. Malik-e-Maidan (The Monarch of the Plains) The largest medieval cannon in the world. Being 4 m long, 1,5 m in diameter and weighing 55 tons, this gun was brought back from Ahmadnagar in the 17th century as a trophy of war by 400 oxen, 10 elephants and tens of men. It was placed on the Sherza Burj (Lion Gate) on a platform especially built for it. The cannon's nozzle is fashioned into the shape of a lion's head with open jaws & between the carved fangs is depicted an elephant being crushed to death. It is said that after igniting the cannon, the gunner would remain underwater in a tank of water on the platform to avoid the deafening explosion. The cannon remains cool even in strong sunlight and if tapped, tinkles like a bell. In 1854 the cannon was auctioned for Rs. 150 but the sale was cancelled in the end. Upli Buruj Built around 1584 by Hyder Khan, is an 80 ft (24 m) high tower standing to the north of Dakhani Idgah in Bijapur. This is a spherical structure with stone steps winding round the outside. Top of the tower offers a commanding view of the city. This is also known as Hyder Burj, Upli Burj. On top of Upli Burj there are two guns of huge size. The parafeet this tower which was used for monitoring purposes has been fenced now. One needs to climb the circular stairs to reach the top. However except for this tower there is very little evidence of the citadel wall in this area due to rampant construction. Chand Bawdi Ali Adil Shah (1557–1580) built this tank near eastern boundary of Bijapur. When there was large influx of people into Bijapur after the fall of the Vijayanagar empire, and new settlements came up within the walled city raising the need for better infrastructure and providing water supply. This has a storage capacity of 20 million litres. Later it became a model for many other tanks constructed in the city. A grandeur complex came up around it, which was mainly used to house the maintenance staff though members of the royal family occasionally used it for recreation. He named this after his wife "Chand Bibi". Asar Mahal The Asar Mahal was built by Mohammed Adil Shah in about 1646, which was used to serve as a Hall of Justice. The building was also used to house hairs from the Prophet's beard. The rooms on the upper storey are decorated with frescoes and the front is graced with a square tank. Here women are not allowed inside. Every year there is urs (festival) held at this place. In front of the hall, one can see three tanks the bigger tank, which is at the centre is about 15 feet (4.6 m) deep however the other two are comparatively smaller in size as well as depth. Behind Asar Mahal one can still see the remain of the citadel. Just a kilometer away behind Asar Mahal, one can still find the old mosque which is on top of the citadel wall. There is a big entrance with arc below this mosque. Many stones have inscriptions. The site is under maintenance of Archeological Survey of India. Gagan Mahal Which means Sky Palace, is built with a 21- meter façade and four wooden massive pillars, has a majestic central arch. Sikandar Adil Shah, in silver chains, surrendered to Aurangzeb in 1681 here. Barakaman (Ali Roza-II) A mausoleum of Ali Roza built in 1672. It was previously named as Ali Roza, but Shah Nawab Khan changed its name to Bara Kaman as this was the 12th monument during his reign. It has now seven arches and the tomb containing the graves of Ali, his queens and eleven other ladies possibly belonging to the Zenana of the queens. Saat Kabar Meaning sixty graves, is a site which can aptly be called as the 'dark tourist spot'. Saat Kabar may not have any intricate or wonderful architectural characteristics like the Gol Gumbaz or Ibrahim Roza to offer to its visitors, but the heart-rending story it narrates makes it a spot worth visiting. This heritage site tells the story of a passionate army chief who killed his 63 wives fearing they would remarry after his death. Afzal Khan, the army chief of Ali Adil Shah II of the Adil Shahi Dynasty that ruled Bijapur for four centuries, cold bloodedly murdered all his wives, one by one, before setting out on a battle with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha warrior, at Pratapgad in Maharashtra in 1659. Sick of continuous attacks by Aurangzeb on one side and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the other side, Ali Adil Shahi-II ordered Afzal Khan to contain these two enemies to protect the empire. Although known for his bravery, Khan was a firm believer in astrology. He always consulted soothsayers before setting out on a war. When an astrologer predicted about his defeat and sure death in the battle against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he decided to kill all his wives so that they would not remarry after his death. Hence he led all his wives to a huge well in a lonely place on the outskirts of the city and pushed them into it one after another. Later, he buried their bodies near the well. Seeing this horrifying act, two of his wives tried to escape, but in vain. They were chased and killed by soldiers, reveal historical records. Ibrahim Rauza It is situated on the western outskirts of the city. Ibrahim Rauza comprises two buildings, a magnificent tomb and a remarkable mosque enveloped by a garden. Facing each other, these twin buildings have a fountain in between them. A Persian inscription here records the construction of this Rauza in 1626. These buildings stand on a raised terrace supported by arches in a large rectangular enclosure with a high entrance tower in the centre of the north side, adorned with four graceful minarets. This is the most ornate building in Bijapur. Both the buildings have square plans with four minarets at the corners and a bulbous dome at the centre, which emerges from lotus petals. Cousins called the building as “The Taj Mahal of the Deccan”. Malik-Karim-ud-dins Mosque is standing at the east of the Chini Mahal. The mosque appears to be a Hindu temple originally. An inscription inside the pillar in old Kannada characters dated 1320 A.D. says the name of the builder of the upper part as Ravayya of Salotgi. It is a rectangular enclosure with a fine vestibule in front, the portico of which spreading into wings fills the forepart of the mosque. According to another version, earlier it was a Hindu college, converted into a mosque. Jod Gumbaz It is behind the Government High School. A pair of tombs is housed in this. The floors of both the tombs are at a very considerable elevation, as the graves have been built at floor level. Both the buildings have galleries within the domes. Afzal khan’s cenotaph is at a distance of about four km from the gate way of Shahapur. There is a mosque too. Afzal khan commenced the construction of his own splendid tomb in his lifetime. But he was not buried in the tomb. About one km towards south of Afzal khan’s tomb are his wives’ tombs on a masonry platform consisting of 11 rows of graves. There are 63 graves and one is empty. It is said that Afzal Khan believed in one astrologer’s prediction that he would never return to Bijapur when he went to meet Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and had all his 64 wives drowned before his journey, except one who escaped. That is how one grave is empty.   Green Stone Sarchophagus It is a tomb at a little distance to the south of Ali I’s tomb. It is finely cut and molded in a dark greenish black-basalt, standing on a raised large platform. The name of the buried person is not known. Jala Manjil It is a small tidy square structure, to the north of the Sat-Manzil standing in the middle of a dry reservoir, which was exclusively meant as a pleasure spot for the royal family. Landa Kasab Gun Lies in the middle of the southern fort of the City. It weighs about 46.5 tons, and there is another small gun on the same bastion. Though unprotected for 300 years from the rig ours of climate, these guns show no signs of decay. Malik-i-Maidan The great gun of Bijapur, is placed to the north of Phatka gate in a tower. This is the biggest gun in Bijapur, weighing about 55 tons and was cast at Ahmednagar in 1549 by a Turkish Officer in the service of Burhan Nizamshah and this information is engraved on it. The muzzle is fashioned into the form of the head of a lion or dragon. Sat-Manzil It is part of the mansion that now remains to the west of the citadel. In this dilapidated five-storeyed building are traces of painting, and stucco work has been executed on the ceiling of the different floors. Taj Bavadi To the west of the Mecca gateway, about 100 yards away is Taj Bavadi. The well is 223 feet (68 m) in square and 52 feet (16 m) deep. Mehatar Mahal It is about 260 yards to the south of the Jumma Masjid-Ark-killa road. Actually it is not a palace but an ornamental gateway which leads to a mosque and garden. Its flat stone roof has been a puzzle to engineers, which is supported by delicately carved stone brackets of birds. Chand Bavadi It has a lone tower called Upari Buraz situated on a high ground. It was built in 1584 A.D. and on it placed are two guns. Museum The Archaeological Museum It has several curious objects like inscriptions, sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, and weapons etc., displayed. It is near Gol Gumbaz and is run by the Archaeological Survey. Temples     Shanmukhasvami Matha It is located near the great Gol Gumbaz. It was founded by Saint Shanmukhaswami. A big front hall surrounded by an open yard has a cellar containing the Samadhi of Shanmukhaswami. Narasimha temple It is a highly revered temple situated on the west centre of the citadel on the inner most under a papal tree. It is being popularly called as Narasoba or Narasimha temple. The chief object of worship is a shapeless black stone in the form of Dattareya. A pair of sandals or padukas said to belong to Saint Narasimha Saraswathi are worshipped there. It is said to be frequented by Ibrahim Adil Shah II. Parshwanath Basadi About 3 km from the city near the dargah is a basadi of Parshwanath. The black stone idol is about 3 feet (0.91 m) high and of beautiful workmanship. A serpent with 1008 small hoods spread over the deity as umbrella is delicately carved. Some years back while digging a mound, the figure is stated to have been unearthed. Lord Shiva Statue The 85-foot (26 m) tall statue of Lord Shiva installed by the T.K. Patil Banakatti Charitable Trust in Bijapur at Shivapur on Sindagi Road is gradually developing as a pilgrimage place.1,500 tonnes statue considered as the second biggest statue of Lord Shiva in the country was prepared by sculptors from Shimoga for more than 13 months and the civilian design was provided by Bangalore-based architects. The statue weighs around 1,500 tonnes.   Torvi Narasimha Temple Torvi is located merely 5 km from Bijapur.The Narasimha temple, which is built underground is very close to Adil Shahi's Sangeeth mahal. Nearby this temple, another Hindu temple of Devi Lakshmi is located.The people of Bijapur have a trend to visit these temples every Saturday. Shree Siddeshwar Temple Shree Siddeshwar Temple is located in heart of the city.It's on behalf of Solapur Shree Siddarameshwar of Basav's Saints(Sharanas). Basavan Bagewadi Basavan Bagewadi is birthplace of Lord Basavanna.Here beautiful Nandi Temple had constructed in 11th century.It's under manage of Kudal Sangam Development Authority.  Prasanna Ganesh Temple  Shri Prasanna Ganesh Temple is known for its carvings, which were worked by Shyama Ramachar, the national award-winning sculptor of Karkala     Gajanana Temple Gajanana Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple was built in 1561 by the ruler of Adil Shahi Dynasty, Ali Adil Shah I. It is believed that this place served as a royal palace for a brief duration. The temple has 3 arches, the central one being the widest of all.     Masjid Jami Masjid It is the largest and oldest mosque in the Deccan. It is at 1200 yards to the east of the citadel. Ali Adil Shah I, after his triumphant victory over Vijayanagara built this mosque. It is a mosque, rectangle in shape, about 400 feet (120 m) from east to west and 280 feet (85 m) from north to south. The main entrance is from the east side and there is a pavilion ascribed to Aurangzeb at the entrance. Including the entire big open court spread between two wings, the mosque occupies an area of 116,300 square feet (10,800 m2) and unmatched by any building in Bijapur. The columns in the main building divide the floor into 45 equal squares. The most beautiful feature is the dome of this building which is highly proportionate. The mihrab here is gorgeously painted. Malika Jahan Begam’s Mosque It is stands about 100 yards west of the citadel, built by Ibrahim Adil Sha II in honour of his wife Mallika Jahan Begam. The columns of the arches are very fine and the stucco work is very good. Malik Sandals Mosque It's stands about 75 yards north of Bukhara Mosque. It is a peculiar combination of Hindu-Muslim architecture. The roof is borne not on arches but on eight-sided columns with Hindu pedestals and capitals. The construction is in Hindu style except the central dome and the western mihrab. Mecca mosque It is situated near the middle of the citadel. It is one of the finest and smallest mosques here. It appears to belong to the period of Ibrahim II. Bukhati Masjid Bukhati Masjid is believed to have been constructed by Chandbibi for a moulvi of the Bukhari family. On a door is a Persian Inscription.   Water Reserviour       Alamatti Dam (Lal Bahaddur Shastri Sagar) Alamatti Dam is situated in NH -13 border of Bijapur-Bagalkot twin Districts of Karnatak State.It is a best tourist place in Bijapur District.   Adansonia digitata Tree Two of these trees, commonly known as the baobab trees, have been listed and identified in Bijapur. One is near the Ibrahim Roza monument in Bijapur with a girth of 10.84 m and height of 5 m and another at Yogapur Dargah, near Bijapur, which is believed to be at least 359 years old with 9.2 m girth and seven m height. Both these trees were planted during the reign of Adil Shahis. Experts say that the kings of Adil Shahi dynasty were all fascinated by nature, and these particular saplings of the adansonia digitata had been imported from Turkey to be planted in Bijapur. The kings were very particular about the nurturing of these plants and took care of their needs like their own children.   Lotus Lake  Overlooking the charming Pangarh Fort of the 12th century is an enchanting, soothing and peaceful Lotus Lake, where you can see the tribes from the local areas fishing using harpoons in their own conventional and traditional methods. You can go for fishing and boating in the lake.     Cultural Activities   The Kittur Rani Chenamma Theatre still stages dramas by professionals. However due to the decrease in the patronage the drama companies are closing down. Ninasam, (Shri Nilakanteshwara Nataka Sangha), an experimental theatre troupe started by K. V. Subbanna, visited Bijapur and show cased their art during the Ninasam "Tirugata" (meaning: Wandering in Kannada).    Kandgal Hanumantharayara Ranga Mandira, on the station road, serves as the centre of art of culture. During summer many workshops on theatre are held at this auditorium under the sponsorship of the local administration.   Bijapur Music Festival Bijapur Music Festival is one of the main festivals in Bijapur that is organised by the Government of Karnataka every year. A number of talented artists and musicians can be witnessed in the event for the entertainment, attracting a large number of people to this festival. Festivals in Bijapur are celebrated with great pomp and include the Siddeshwara Temple Car Festival (January), Holi (March), the Asar Mahal Urs festival (September) and Diwali (October-November).   Makara Sankranti Fare Shri Shiddeshwar Temple situated at the heart of the city is a holy place for Hindus which is also a very beautiful tourist place to visit. During Makar Sankranti an annual fare is organized by Shri Siddheshwar Temple. This fair is well known for the cattle market which is organized outside the city limits. Farmers from neighboring villages and even some parts of Maharastra come to trade in cattle. During this period fireworks display will be held.   City Exploring  Bijapur is a quaint old city with many architectural marvels of yore dotting the landscape and the outdoor activities in Bijapur is all about exploring these architectural marvels. If you want to enjoy cave exploration or wildlife safaris, visit the nearby places of Badami and Aihole.   Excursions   Alihole – 110 km, Saint Basaveshwara Pilgrim – 67 km, Basavana Bagevadi – 43 km, Alamatti - 56 km, Badami – 60 km, Gulbarga – 145 km, Bidar – 256 km, Bangalore – 530 km, Mysore - 650 km.     Shopping In Bijapur Shopping in Bijapur is all about buying the local handicrafts for which this small town is popular. Some of the must buy items from Bijapur include sandalwood items, stone decorative items, hand woven Ilkal saris, Lambani jewellery, beaded jewellery and jute bags among other things. The Lambani jewellery is the traditional jewellery crafted by the Lambani tribe of Karnataka using copper, white metal and silver. The Ilkal Sari, unique in being made using the Tope Teni technique, is not found anywhere else in the country. Other products that are produced by the craftsmen include coin jewellery, rosewood sculptures, silk carry bags, embroidered waist line belts and fancy antique metal armlets.   Tourist Palces near Bijapur Some of the interesting places near Bijapur that you can visit on a day trip are mentioned below for your convenience. Badami, 120 kms from Bijapur is popular for its sandstone cave temples. It is made of red sandstone and has a hall with numerous pillars and a square shaped chamber hollowed in the control back wall. Attractions in Badami also include forts, gateways, inscriptions and sculptures. Aihole, 110 kms from the city is historically significant as it has a number of temples and caves which are worth admiring. Pattadakal, 134 kms from Bijapur has a number of temples built in the 7th and 8th century. The chief attractions along with the temples include a Jain Sanctuary which is surrounded by small holy places.   Basavana Bagewadi (43 kms.) The sacred town is the birth place of Saint Basaveshwara, the 12th century social and religious reformer and prime minister of the Kalyana Chalukya rulers. It is known for the temple of Basaveshwara with shrines dedicated to Basaveshwara (Nandi), Sangameshwara, Mallikarjuna and Ganapathi. There are also fine marble statues of Basavanna and his wife.   Kumatagi (19 kms.) Kumatagi, the pleasure resort of the Adil Shahi rulers and nobles lies on the banks of a large reservoir. The water pavilions with a network of cisterns, fountains and waterspouts are noteworthy. The walls of the pavilions are adorned with fine frescoes.   Thoravi (6 kms.) It was chosen as the site of the new city built by Ibrahim Adil Shah. The main attractions are the relies of Sangit Mahal, the palace where the emperor is said to have had dance and music soirees. It is the venue for the annual Nauraspur Music Festival. There is also a of Narsimha with pre-Vijayanagar idols.   What To Eat Eating out in Bijapur is all about savouring authenticated South Indian cuisine. Non-vegetarian dishes mainly Mughlai and Hyderabadi cuisines are also served in most of the restaurants. Some of the prominent restaurants in Bijapur are located near Gol Gumbaz. They serve local South Indian, North Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines. For those with a sweet tooth milk cakes are a must try, as they are popular desserts here and enjoyed the most by the visitors and locals alike.     How To Reach Air – The nearest airport is at Belgaum (205 km). Indian and Jet airways flight operators connect Bijapur to the rest of India. A new airport which can accommodate ATR's & Airbus 320(expansion afterwords) is currently being built by Karnataka government through PPP mode . Land has already been acquired & construction has already started. Rail – Bijapur is well connected by rail with Bangalore and other major cities of India (Bombay, Hubli and Solapur). It has its own railhead that is located just 2 km from the main town. Road – The main stand in Bijapur is near the southwestern side of the citadel, near the city center. Bus services to Badami (2 hours), Belgaum (5 hours), Gulbarga (4 hours), Bidar (7 hours), Hubli (4½ hours), and Sholapur (2 hours) are frequent. Where To Stay  Places to stay in Bijapur range from mid-range to budget accommodations. The accommodation options in mid-range properties are Hotel Sanman and Hotel Samrat which will provide you a comfortable stay. If you are a budget traveller then you can choose to stay in Shashinag Residency and Hotel Mayur Adil Shahi. These properties are good options which will provide you with necessary amenities. Other properties in the region are Madhuvan International, Kanishka International Hotel, KSTDC Mayura Adil Shahi, Hotel Blue Diamond and Sagar Deluxe Hotel.   Hotel Madhuvan International2 star hotel Hotel Madhuvan International situated on the station road with a magnificent view of the monumental Gol Gumbaz . Hotel Pleasant Stay2 star hotel This 2 Star hotel is located near to the Kidney Hospital. There are 28 spacious executive rooms to live in.