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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
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.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
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.
WHERE TO STAY
Vadiraj Lodge, Super Market Ph : 08472 - 21140
Sanman Lodge, Super Market Ph : 08472 - 22801
Hotel Bahamani Mayura. Ph : 08472 - 20644
Hotel Santosh, College Road. Ph : 08472 - 22661.
Hotel Mayura Bahamani, Public Gardens. Ph : 08472 - 20644.
PWD Circuit House.
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