Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur is the mausoleum of king Mohammed Adil Shah, who was the Sultan of Bijapur. He was the seventh ruler of the Adil Shah Dynasty. The history of Gol Gumbaz is gazing at the sky as the echoes of its timelessness of reverberating through the air. It is among the greatest examples of Adil Shahi architecture which is the supreme dome in the world. Constructed of the Tomb, located in Vijayapura (formerly Bijapur), Karnataka. The name is based on “Gola gummata” derived from “Gol Gombadh” meaning “Circular dome”. It follows the style of Indo- Islamic architecture.
The mausoleum was designed and constructed by Yakut of Dabul in the year 1656 and situated in the Northern Karnataka. It took 30 years to complete the construction. Made it of dark grey basalt stone and its chamber is among the biggest in the world. The structure is composed of 47.5 m on each side, capped by a roof 44 m in exterior diameter.
This does not have any pillars or towers to support it. Inside the giant dome, there is a “Whispering Gallery” hastens around. Near the monument has interesting items on display like paintings, carpets and many more. Even the slightest of the sound you can be heard around due to the acoustics of the space. It is sometimes referred to as the “Taj Mahal of South India”. Along with the Tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, It is also the resting place for his wives and daughters.
Architecture of Gol Gumbaz
Art and architecture of Bijapur Gol Ghumaz have been celebrated for its Muhammad Adil’s Shah architectural treasures. In the intellectual realm as an object of academic study. The interior of Gol Gumbaz has a cubic shape that has steps on every side. This podium also has a wooden covering which represents the accurate position of the grave of Mohammad Adil Shah. Gol Gumbaz is known for its imposing structure of national importance, hence it is visited by many travelers throughout the year.
Places to Visit near Gol Gumbaz
The famous places to visit near the Gol Gumbaz are Ibrahim Rauza, The Citadel, Mithari and Asar Mahals, Bijapur Fort, Bangalore Palace, and many more. People can go for shopping in Bijapur. This place is famous for local handicrafts, artifacts, Lumbini Jewelry, sandalwood items, and traditional clothes.
How to reach Gol Gumbaz
It is situated in Karnataka, it will take around 10 hours to reach from the capital city, Bangalore. Hampi is 215 km from Bijapur while Badami is 121 km. Bijapur has no airport and to visit Gol Gumbaz you have to get down to Belgaum Airport which is the nearest airport (202 km) and well-connected to Mumbai by domestic flights.
Bijapur is well connected to many cities via rail and road, especially in the south and west India.
Best time to visit Gol Gumbaz
Early March is the best time to visit Gol Gumbaz. The winter season is the ideal season to visit here as the weather remains comfortable for sightseeing. Advisable to visit Gol Gumbaz very early in the morning, as people say you can hear watch seconds needle ticking.
- Gol Gumbaz Timings: 10 A.M. to 5 P.M.
- Gol Gumbaz Entry Fees: INR 10 for Indian national and INR 100 for foreigners
