Gulbarga Travel
Gulbarga Travel Info:
Gulbarga
is a unique synthesis of two cultures. Filled with beautiful palaces,
mosques, stately building and bazaars. The Khwaja Bande Nawaz, tomb of the
great Sufi saint, Khwaja Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz is the venue of an annual
'Urs', attended by nearly one hundred thousand people. The Dargah Library
houses almost 10,000 books in Urdu, Persian and Arabic. Also worth seeing
are Sultan Hasan's tomb, the tomb of Ghias-Ud-Din, the mausoleum of Feroze
Shah, the Haft-Gumbuz, the well-kept lawns of Mahboob Gulshan and the Shrine
of Shri Sharanabasaveshwara.
Prime Attractions in Gulbarga :
Gulbarga Fort - An extensive piece of work, the Gulbarga
fort was originally built by Raja Gulchand and afterwards strengthened by
Ala-Ud-Din Bahmani. The fort with its 15 towers and 26 guns has witnessed
many a battle and suffered many an onslaught. Razed to the ground by Krishna
Devaraya of Vijaynagar, it rose like a phoenix when Adil Shah undertook its
repair with booty captured from Vijaynagar.
Khwaza Bande Nawaz Dargah - The most important monument
in Gulbarga is probably The Khwaza Bande Nawaz Dargah. The tomb of the great
sufi saint, Khwaza Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz, popularly known as Khwaza Bande
Nawaz. This is a magnificent building built in the Indo-Saracenic style. The
dargah is the venue of an annual 'Urs', which is attended by nearly one
thousand people, both Hindus and Muslims.
Jumma Masjid - This huge mosque built by Feroze Shah,
covering an area of 38016 sq. feet resembles the great mosque of Cardova in
Spain. The architectural style is typically Persian, with stilted domes and
narrow entrances.
Excursions :
Ganigapur - A few kms from Gulbarga is Ganigapur. A
famous centre of Dattatreya worship, this pilgrim centre has the sacred math
of Shri Narasimha Saraswathi. The confluence of the rivers Amreja and Bhima
attracts many pilgrims who take a holy dip here. A huge 'jatra' is held here
every year in the month of February. This place is popularly known as 'Deval
Ganagapur' to the pilgrims.
Malkhed - A Jain centre in the past, many Jain sculptures
and bronzes have been found here. Malkhed is also famous for having produced
two great personalities, namely, Tikacharya, the Madhava saint and
Pushpadanta, the poet who wrote during the reign of Krishan II, the
Rashtrakuta king.
Shorapur - Also known as Surpur, is the picturesque town
on a ridge, surrounded by hills. It is dotted with temples, palaces, mosques
and 'ashur-khanas'. An imposing fort is nearby. Taylor's Manzil, the
residence of Col. Meadows Taylor, an Englishman appointed by the British, as
a political agent to the state is a beautiful building.
Sonthi - An important pilgrim centre, Sonthi houses the
renowned Chandralamba Temple with the sacred Bhima river flowing besides it.
On the either side of the main entrance are huge mantapas. In the inner
courtyard are 12 lingas and the statues of Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and
Saraswathi.
Narayanpur Dam - Across the Krishna river is a huge
engineering feat. The Narayanpur Dam, inaugurated in 1982, is set among
beautiful gardens.
Sharapur - This is a Buddhist centre and the sleeping
Buddha shaped mountain is worth seeing here.
Kembavi - 29 kms north west of Sharapur, this place is
noted for its relations with Bahamani Dynasty. Annual 'Urs' is held here.
How to get there ?
Air - The nearest airport is Hyderabad (220 kms)
Rail - Gulbarga is connected by rail with Bangalore ,
Mumbai and Hyderabad.
Road - Gulbarga is connected by road to: Hyderabad (220
kms) Bangalore (600 kms) Bijapur (150 kms) Bidar (110 kms) Basavakalyan (80
kms) KSRTC Buses ply from Gulbarga to Bangalore, Bijapur, Bidar, Raichur and
Sholapur.
Hampi
About Hampi :
Hampi,
the land of surprises was founded in the middle of 14th Century by two local
princes, Hakka & Bukka. The Vijayanagar Empire came to be celebrated for
its might and wealth and as a show piece of imperial magnificence.
Vijayanagara is such that the pupil of the eye has never seen a place like
it... " So eulogized Abdul Razaq, a Muslim envoy who visited Hampi.
The city was sacked pillaged and burnt in 1565 AD, after the combined
attack of armies of Muslim Sultanates of the Deccan defeated the Vijayanagar
Military Commander and the King fled the Capital. Rocky hills and the mighty
Tungabhadra River, which flows through this rugged landscape, dominate the
terrain. One can still glimpse the splendour of Vijayanagara - one of the
largest empires in the history of India - in its ruins. The Vijayanagar
Kings were great patrons of Art & Architecture as evident by the vast
ruins of Hampi. In an effort to resurrect this abandoned capital, the
government has been involved in the restoration, excavation and protection
of the ruins, which are spread over an area of 26 sq kms.
Prime Attractions :
Virupaksha Temple - The Virupaksha Temple at the western
end is one of the earliest structures in the city. The main shrine is
dedicated to Virupaksha, a form of Lord Vishnu. Overlooking Virupaksha
temple to the South, Hemakuta hill has a scattering of early ruins including
Jain temples and a monolithic structure of Narasimha.
Ugra Narasimha - Nearby is the 6.7m tall monolith of Ugra
Narasimha. The gigantic image is situated in the south of the Hemkuta group
of temples that includes the Virupaksha Temple. The Narasimha is a seated
four-armed figure under a canopy of a seven-hooded snake.
Vithala Temple - To the east of Hampi Bazaar is the
Vithala temple, about 2 kms away. The ruins of the temple is a World
Heritage monument. It is in a relatively good state of preservation. The
temples incredible sculptural work is a pinnacle of Vijayanagar Art. The
outer pillars are known as the 'Musical Pillars' as they reverberate when
tapped, although this practice is now discouraged to avoid further damage.
The temple also features an ornate stone chariot in the temple courtyard
containing an image of Garuda.
Shivalinga
- The gigantic Shivalinga is located next to the Narasimha figure. It is
3 m high and stands permanently in water that comes through an ancient
channel.
Lotus Mahal - This graceful two-storeyed pavilion is
located in the 'zenana' enclosure. The palace is delightful synthesis of the
Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture.
Virupaksha Bazaar - 32 m wide and 728 m long, this street
that runs between the Virupaksha Temple and the foot of the Matanga Hill is
the longest street laid out by the Vijaynagara kings.
Queen's Bath - Situated in the citadel area, south of the
Hazaara Rama Temple the Queen's Bath is a large square structure, remarkable
for the contrast between its plain exterior and the very ornate interior.
The bath is 15-m square and 1.8 m deep and is surrounded by delicately
decorated arched corridors and projecting balconies.
Singaradu Hebbagilu - Located behind the elephant
stables, this is one of the oldest and most massive of the gateways in the
capital city. The gate called 'Singara Hebbagilu' or the beautiful door
according to an inscription that has been discovered near it, was the main
entrance to the city.
Hazara Rama Temple - The temple built within rectangular
complex lies at the heart of the royal centre. Dating from the early 15th
century, the hall of the Hazara Rama Temple has finely carved basalt pillars
depicting the incarnations of Shri Vishnu. Around the exterior walls of the
hall are three rows of sculptures illustrating the main events from the
Ramayana.
Achuta Raya Temple - The Tirvengalanatha temple, which
was built during reign of Achuta Deva Raya, is better known by the name of
ruler. The temple within are in ruins, but some erotic sculptures can be
seen in the columns inside the open halls near the main gateway.
How to get there ?
Air - The nearest airport is Bellary (74 kms.) Other
convenient airports are a Belgaum (190 kms) and Bangalore , Bijapur, Hubli
and Guntakal.
Rail - The nearest train junction is at Hospet.
Road - Hampi is 350 kms from Bangalore. KSRTC Buses ply
regularly from Hospet.
Hassan
About
Hassan :
The picturesque town of Hassan is located in the heart of Malnad. Having a
very pleasant climate throughout the year, Hassan 194 kms from Bangalore is
the entry point for Belur, Halebid and Sravanabelagola. Sravanabelagola is a
famous Jain pilgrimage with a 17 m high monolith of lord Bahubali standing
tall. Belur was once the capital of the Hoysala kings.
The Chennakeshava temple took 103 years to complete and is filled with
intricate carvings and sculptures. No space is left blank in this finest
example of Hoysala architecture. In Belur Veeranarayana temple is also worth
visiting. Halebid, like Belur is also a mute testimony to the rich cultural
heritage of Karnataka.
Excursions :
Belur - 34 kms from Hassan, 149 kms from Mysore and 222
kms from Bangalore is Belur, which is famous for its exquisite temple. Belur
is also known as 'Dakshina Varanasi' or 'Southern Banaras'.
Halebid - 17 kms from Belur. This place is known as
'Dwara Samudra', the wealthy capital of Hoysalas.
Sravanbelagola - This legendary pilgrimage and shrine of
the Jains since early times is 52 kms from Hassan, 80 kms from Mysore and
150 kms from Bangalore. The 'Mahamastakabhisheka', held once in 12 years, is
one of the main attractions of the place, which attracts a large number of
devotees.
How to get there ?
Air - Bangalore is the nearest airport.
Rail - The nearest rail junction is at Hassan.
Road - Mysore is 115kms and Bangalore is 185 kms from
Hassan by road.
