Discover the Big Secret about Bijapur’s Gol Gumbaz

We have heard of India being a country of historical monuments and artefacts. There are some which have been praised worldwide and remain a bygone story that leave archaeologists curious about digging out some more pieces of information. One such globally recognised and discussed monument is Gol Gumbaz. 

If you are a traveler who roams around the world and discovers some unbelievable facts, then this place is for you. The Gol Gumbaz Tomb is an Islamic creation that possesses a magical passage that you must not have heard of. What all is interesting and mysterious about the place, let’s learn below. 

Gol Gumbaz – Overview

When you step into Gol Gumbaz’s destination, the calendar turns the pages to the days when Adil Shahi ruled South India. That was the era of mausoleum known as Gol Ghumat. The whole place is now a monument managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. The basic reason why it manages to attract a large population of visitors is the stature of the bygone days that have not yet faded. 

The well-recognised tourist spot of Gol Gumbaz in India reflects the art hidden in the architectural formation and exquisite acoustic characters. As the era suggests, the destination is famous for being a prominent Muslim tourist place in the southern. It was the erstwhile capital of the Adil Shahi Dynasty, Vijaypur offers the sky-gazing experience and is also called Gol Gumbaz echo where the ruler used to stay with his whole family and the mistress. Thus, one can imagine how giant the ambience must be that even helping the spot recognize as the biggest domes in the world. 

History of Gol Gumbaz Karnataka

Adil Shahi’s greatest example- the Gol Gumbaz echo took 30 years in possession and was built in 1656. It is situated in North Karnataka with the famous mausoleum that was designed by Dabul’s Yaqut. Mohammed Adil Shahi, the seventh ruler of the Adil Shahi dynasty, initiated the construction of the dome exactly after he possessed the crown in 1626. The ruler’s objective was to make it as grand as his father’s memorial, Ibrahim Adil Shahi. However, the construction of Gol Gumbaz was disrupted when the reign of Mohammed Adil Shahi due to the Sultan’s sudden demise. 

It is believed that Gol Gumbaz is the biggest tomb after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome which unlocked the doors for it to dominate the history. The Gol Gumbaz India was not just a house of rulers, now the spot of Adil Shahi sultan’s remains but a fascinating historical place with numerous stories. 

Architectural Design of Gol Gumbaz

The seven-storey Gol Gumbaz was styled on the Dravidian architectural format to manifest the Islamic touch. The regional culture also named the destination as Bijapur Gol Gumbaz. or Gol Gomata or even Gol Gombadh. The name refers to the circular dome which gives the idea about its structure. The whole tomb is made up of local dark grey basalt stone. The wholesome area coverage of Gol Gumbaz echo is 18,00 square feet with the biggest chambers in the world. 

The architecture is even exciting with a whispering passage or gallery which is believed that one can always hear an echo almost 12 times from the start towards the end. where visitors go to hear the most hushed tones courtesy of the acoustic place. 

The height of the Bijapur Gol Gumbaz is 144 feet high with 156 feet cube stretched on each side. From beneath, the sides have 8 arches crossing the 2 squares to give the base to the tomb. Including this, there are four towers in octagonal shape each with a separate staircase. The interesting part about these towers is the gallery corners on the top floor. The mausoleum has a piece of meteorite which is said that has slept since the time during the Sultan’s rule. This meteorite is present to protect the Gol Gumbaz from lightenings. 

What’s inside Gol Gumbaz? 

Gol Gumbaz Tomb is not just well-versed with architectural aspects but has some Islamic significance inside too. Many visitors find the past culture that used to be followed by the ruler back then. Let us identify all such spots you can explore inside the dome: 

• A mosque
• A museum
• Nakkar Khana or drum house
• A Dharamshala or tavern
• A well-maintained garden

Fascinating Facts about Bijapur Gol Gumbaz Tomb

The tall building of Gol Gumbaz has some unknown facts that are yet not known to people. If you are one who loves the beauty of historical architecture and its mysteries, the below section is for you:

• Gol Gumbaz is also known with an interesting name in the books of history- “The Black Taj Mahal” or “The Taj Mahal of South India”.
• There is another name popular among the locals- “Gol Gumbad” which refers to its circular structure. 
• The Gol Gumbaz echo is impressive to the visitors due to its efficiency to reflect even the lowest sound to travel a long distance so the person at the end could hear. 
• The chamber inside the Gol Gumbaz tomb is the most spacious single-room room in the world. 
• The architecture of Gol Gumbaz is inspired by the real Taj Mahal in Agra. 
• The design is done keeping in mind the Deccan Indo-Islamic culture and styles. 

Timings and Entry Fees for Gol Gumbaz

One may take the help of the below details to plan their holiday to pay a visit to the world’s largest tomb- Gol GUmbaz, Karnataka. 

Ways To Reach Gol Gumbaz Tomb

The Gol Gumbaz Karnataka is 10 hours away from Bangalore to reach. So, the roadways tourists can decide their destination’s route from Hampi 214 km from Bijapur. From here, the mid-way will cross Badami which is 122 km on the way. Other than this, the travel can even reach by flight from Belgaum Airport which is at a distance of 200 km only to Gol Gumbaz Karnataka. 

What are the Best Times to Visit Gol Gumbaz?

It is advisable for the tourists to decide on their visit to Gol Gumbaz Karnataka in the month of October to March. This is because being the southern part of the country, the weather is quite warm in the first phase of the year. While in the suggested months, one can experience the best weather with a blissful environment throughout. 

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End Thoughts

India is popular for its historical monuments that speak louder about the bygone years and its inspiring, strong rulers. Of course, having such a long record of different dynasties ruling the land, there are some monuments which denote the sign of either victory or the desires of kings. Gol Gumbaz is one such instance that is away from fighter stories but is cherished due to its significance with Mohammed Adil Shahi’s wish of constructing it as his crown celebration.

Some unbelievable characteristics such as seven tall towers with whispering galleries leave the visitors in amazement. Even after ages, the south Indians are very much curious about the destination where the huge crowds can be witnessed. If you are in process of planning your trip to Karnataka or live there, you must not miss this incredible holiday destination at any cost to give your vacation a worth usage. 

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