A trip to Bijapur is well worth your time, not only for the spectacular Gol Gumbaz but also for its treasure trove of other historical monuments such as Ibrahim Rauza (also known as the Taj Mahal of the Deccan), Jumma Masjid (one of the first mosques in India) and The Citadel, a stunning fort with a moat and sprawling gardens.
Bijapur is the 9th largest city in the South Indian state of Karnataka. It owes much of its importance to the 17th-century Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Sultan Mohammad Adil Shah. At 144 feet in diameter, this is the second-largest dome in the world, after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
There is another wonderful reason you should visit Bijapur: the food! Over the centuries, several dynasties and cultures have influenced the cuisine of this wondrous city, with delicious results.
Authentic South Indian specialities, Mughlai meat-based delicacies, and spicy Hyderabadi curries—Bijapur serves them all! But wait: that’s not all. You will be delighted to discover that the food here boasts Arabic, Persian, and even Turkish influences. And if you would rather stick to standard continental and Chinese food, there’s plenty of that too.
Bijapur: Top Three Treats
Biryani
A layered, aromatic South Asian rice dish that originated among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. Its main ingredients are rice, Indian spices, meat (chicken or mutton), vegetables, eggs, dried fruit, and yoghurt. Biryani can be served in vegetarian style or non-veg.
Idli
A savoury cake popular throughout India. Part of a traditional breakfast in South Indian households, the cakes are made with steaming batter made from fermented black lentils and rice. Soft and fluffy like cotton balls, idli can be enjoyed in most Bijapur restaurants
Indian milk fudge or ‘milk cakes’
These mouth-watering pastries served as desserts or snacks, are a local favourite. Milk cakes contain milk and sugar slow-cooked in ghee (clarified butter). Pistachio nuts and raisins are added sometimes for extra flavour.
Authentic Local Eats
If you are looking to explore the authentic local flavours of Bijapur, prepare to delve into some exquisite food! Here’s a handy list:
- Kai Palya: A vegetable curry made with green gourd, cabbage, eggplant or string beans. Thickened with coconut or cashew nuts and mildly spiced, it is served with rice or roti.
- Laku Palya: a lentil-based curry Rotti or Bhakri: fresh bread made mostly from jowar or bajra
- Ennegai: Brinjal bulb stuffed with ground peanut, ground sesame, ginger, garlic, garam masala and spices
- Shenga or elu chutney: made of ground peanuts and sesame seeds
- Kempu Khara: Chutney made with red chillies
- Mosaru bajje: salad with curd
- Saaru: Soup prepared with pepper, cumin, coriander seeds, and tomato plus a variety of unique chutneys, dosa, tamarind-based rice (bisibele baath), and rotis made with local grains.
Eateries Near the Gol Gumbaz
The Bean Brew Café, a multicuisine restaurant located nearby the Gumbaz, is pricier with very good food and ambience to match. It offers mind-tickling delicacies.
Hotel Shrubhashree Sager, recommended for travellers on a budget, serves hearty Chinese fare, both vegetarian and non-veg. Expect good clean food and prompt service.
Shisha or Kamath near the Ibrahim Rauza mausoleum, built for Sultan Ibrahim Abdil Shah ll and his queen. It sits on a single slab of rock and is thought to have inspired the design of the Taj Mahal.
Mysore Restaurant on Gandhi Circle is very popular with the locals for its excellent food and pocket-friendly thalis.
Street Food: Throughout the city, you’ll find food centres or stalls. The most popular ones are SS Green Park Dhaba, Ghar Dhaba, Choudhary Dhaba, and Vaibhav Hotel Dhaba among others!
Fact File
Travelling to Bijapur to sample its delicious food and see its fascinating architecture is easy:
- Location: North West Karnataka, 530 km from Bangalore and 550 km from Mumbai
- Air: The nearest airport is Belgaum (205 km) from where flights connect you to the rest of India.
- Rail: Railways connect Bijapur well with Bangalore and other major cities of India. The station is located just 2 km from the main town.
- Road: The main stand in Bijapur is near the city centre. Bus services are available to Badami, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Bidar, Hubli, and Sholapur.
- When to go: Winter, ranging from October to February when the temperatures are cooler. You could also time your visit with the annual Bijapur Music Festival (check dates online).
- Languages spoken: The official language is Kannada. Other languages spoken are Urdu, Marathi, and Hindi. People widely understand English here.
Note: While we make every effort to keep the information current, do check for updates before you visit.
