How To Get There

How to get there

530 kms to the north-west of Bangalore is the ancient town of Bijapur, the capital of the Adil Shahi dynasty. Bijapur is close to Belgaum - the gateway to Karnataka from Goa and Bombay. A major commercial and educational centre, Belgaum has many places of historical, cultural and architectural interest.

By Road: Bijapur is well connected to many cities in south and west India.
By Air: The nearest airport is Belgaum(205 kms), which is well connected to Mumbai and Bangalore.
By Train: 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).

Around Bijapur (Distances and directions from Bijapur) : 110 kms, 134 kms and 120 kms away are the rock cut temples of Aihole, Pattadakal and Badami. Standing close to each other (within a 13 km radius), these temple towns represent Chalukyan architecture at its best.

* Aihole-: The 'cradle of Indian temple architecture' has 125 temples - intricately carved, rich in detail. The oldest temple is perhaps the 5th century Lad Khan Temple.

The Durga (Fort) Temple has a semicircular apse and a complete portico.

* Pattadakal : A World Heritage Centre, it has 10 major temples representing early Chalukyan architecture. The biggest temple, dedicated to Virupaksheshvara, has a huge gateway and several inscriptions.

* Badami : Picturesquely situated, Badami has four cave temples. Overlooking them is a reservoir, its banks dotted with temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.

These places are connected by excellent roads to Hospet (122 kms*), Hubli (150 kms* and Gadag (100 kms*) and are

en route from Hampi to Bijapur.

(* Distances from Aihole)

GULBARGA

613 kms north of Bangalore is Gulbarga with the Dargah of Bande Nawaz, the great Sufi saint, and the Hindu shrine of Sharana Basaveshwara. The Gulbarga Fort has within it, the Jumma Masjid, modeled on the great mosque of Cardova in Spain.

Gulbarga is well-connected by road to Bijapur, Hyderabad and Bidar. Some of the trains from Bangalore to Delhi and Bombay pass through Gulbarga.

BIDAR

Further to the north-east and 669 kms from Bangalore is the town of Bidar. The capital of the Bahamani kingdom and later the Barid Shahi dynasty, it has a 15th century Fort. The Muhammad Gawan 'madarsa' and the tombs of the Bahamani and Barid kings deserve a visit. Bidar is famous for 'bidriware' a distinct and exquisite craft of this district.