Methar Mahal constructed in 1620, this is one of the interesting sights in Bijapur (State: Karnataka). Even though by name it is called "Mahal" this is not a place. This is a turret with the Mehtar mosque behind it. (Click on the images for bigger picture)
This is a two-storeyed structure with an exquisite entrance. The roof has two delicate minarets standing straight and tall.
This ornamental gateway is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It is embellished by a profusion of carvings in the form of brackets supporting the balconies and stone trellis work in Hindu Style.
Built in 1659, the Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur (State: Karnataka). (Click on the images for bigger picture)
This is a massive structure with a square chamber measuring nearly 50 m on each side and is covered by a huge dome 43.3 m in diameter and attains the height of 27.4 m from a circular platform. There are four octagonal towers one in each corner of the chamber. Each tower consists of seven storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome. If I remember correctly there are 150 steps to climb. In the center of the chamber are the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah II and his relations.
Apart from his sheer size another most interesting aspect of the enclosed place is acoustics. At the top inside the dome it is a whispering gallery where even the smallest sound is heard across the other side of the Gumbaz. At the periphery of the dome is a circular balcony where any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed around 7 times. Anything whispered from one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly on the diagonally opposite side.
This Dome is the second largest one in the world which is unsupported by any pillars.
Bijapur (State: Karnatka) is located at a distance of 530 km northwest of Bangalore. This city was established in the 10th - 11th centuries by the Chalukya Dynasty. It was then referred as Vijayapura (City of victory). (Click on the images for bigger view)
From the 13th century onwards this city was ruled by Mughal, Bahamani rulers. The city landscape is covered with great monuments of historical importance built during the Adil Shahi dynasty. It had a citadel of 6km stretch around the city. Within the citadel are the remains of both Hindu temples and old mosques. Outside the walls are the remains of a vast city, now for the most part in ruins.
The places of interest both old and new here are:
This is a two-storeyed structure with an exquisite entrance. The roof has two delicate minarets standing straight and tall.
This ornamental gateway is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. It is embellished by a profusion of carvings in the form of brackets supporting the balconies and stone trellis work in Hindu Style.
Here there are two buildings on a common platform, surrounded by beautiful gardens on three sides. These buildings have perfect domes at the top with crescent moons, with symmetrical minarets at the four corners as can be seen from the images above. The huge doorways leads one into cool high-ceiling chambers. Between the two buildings is the place for water pool with fountains.
The building on the left is the tomb of ruler of Bijapur, Ibrahim Adil Shah II and his family. One can see inside this the tombs of he king, his queen, his daughter, two sons and his mother. It has minarets that rise to a height of 24 meters and are considered the inspiration for the minarets of the Taj Mahal.
The other building on the platform is the mosque. 
This is a massive structure with a square chamber measuring nearly 50 m on each side and is covered by a huge dome 43.3 m in diameter and attains the height of 27.4 m from a circular platform. There are four octagonal towers one in each corner of the chamber. Each tower consists of seven storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome. If I remember correctly there are 150 steps to climb. In the center of the chamber are the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah II and his relations.
Apart from his sheer size another most interesting aspect of the enclosed place is acoustics. At the top inside the dome it is a whispering gallery where even the smallest sound is heard across the other side of the Gumbaz. At the periphery of the dome is a circular balcony where any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed around 7 times. Anything whispered from one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly on the diagonally opposite side.
This Dome is the second largest one in the world which is unsupported by any pillars.
From the 13th century onwards this city was ruled by Mughal, Bahamani rulers. The city landscape is covered with great monuments of historical importance built during the Adil Shahi dynasty. It had a citadel of 6km stretch around the city. Within the citadel are the remains of both Hindu temples and old mosques. Outside the walls are the remains of a vast city, now for the most part in ruins.
