Introducing Bijapur
Ruins and still-intact gems of 15th- to 17th-century Islamic architecture embellish old, dusty Bijapur like so many tatters of faded sultans’ finery. It’s a fascinating place to explore, blessed by a wealth of mosques, mausoleums, palaces and fortifications, whose austere grace is in complete contrast to the sculptural extravagance of the Chalukyan and Hoysala temples further south.
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Bijapur was the capital of the Adil Shahi kings from 1489 to 1686, and was one of the splinter states formed when the Bahmani Muslim kingdom broke up in 1482. The town has a strong Islamic character but is also a centre for the Lingayat brand of Shaivism, which emphasises a single personalised god. The Lingayat Siddeshwara Festival runs for eight days in January/February.
Last updated: Sep 21, 2008
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Ooty
by Grahamapoole 26 February 2012
Sravanabelaagolais definitely worth a trip, quite different from the average hindu temple. Whilst in Karnataka - try to get up to Bidar…
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RE: Side trips from Hyderabad in December
by musafir 13 December 2011
A great place to visit near H/bad is Bidar. There is a huge old fort, old Irani style tiled tombs, mosques, a ruined Irani…
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RE: Kerala or Karnataka?
by uselessbaba 07 September 2011
There are 2 trains daily from Badami to Bijapur one around 8 am, the other around 3pm,takes about 3 hrs, you could probably jump on at…
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