ONE DAY TRIPS
1. Badami with Aihole, Pattadkal & Banshankari: The main attractions of Badami are its caves. There are four main caves. The first one is dedicated to Shiva. It was excavated by the Chalukyas in 550 AD. The second one is dedicated to Vishnu. In this cave there are statues of Vishnu avatars like Varaha, the boar or Krishna. The third cave is also dedicated to Vishnu and the last one is a cave with Jain representations.
2. Kittur Fort, Devgaon & Halshi:
Kittur is a fort located in the Karnataka state of India, it is the former capital of a minor principality as well as a major archaeological site. It was held by the Desai Marathas of Kittur, as well as Rani Chennamma, a Lingayat woman warrior of Karnataka who revolted against the British in 1824. Kittur reached its zenith during the Mallasarja Desai. The place has a Nathapanthi matha in police line area, and temples of Maruti [in fort], Kalmeshwara, Dyamavva and Basavanna, the last named a later Chalukyan monument now completely renovated.
Halasi is famous for having been the capital of a branch of Kadamba Dynasty. The town is rich in historical monuments and temples and is near Khanapur. Halasi is in Background of Western Ghats in lush green atmosphere. It was the second capital of the Kadambas of Banavasi. The huge Bhuvaraha Narasimha temple has tall images of Varaha, Narasimha, Narayana and Surya. The place has a fort, and also temples of Gokarneshswara, Kapileshwara, Swarneshwara and Hatakeshwara.
3. Bijapur: Rich in historical attractions important places of interest are Gol Gumbaz, Barakaman, Shiva Statue
Gol Gumbaz: This is the most famous monument in Bijapur. It is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (ruled 1627–1657). It is the second largest dome ever built, next in size only to St Peter's Basilica in Rome. A particular attraction in this monument is the central chamber, where every sound is echoed seven times. Another attraction at the Gol Gumbaz is the Whispering Gallery, where even minute sounds can be heard clearly 37 metres away. Gol Gumbaz complex includes a mosque & a Naqqar Khana (a hall for the trumpeters now it is used as museum).
Barakaman (Ali Roza-II) A mausoleum of Ali Roza built in 1672. It was previously named as Ali Roza, but Shah Nawab Khan changed its name to Bara Kaman as this was the 12th monument during his reign. It has now seven arches and the tomb containing the graves of Ali, his queens and eleven other ladies possibly belonging to the Zenana of the queens.
Shiva Statue: The 85-foot tall statue is a three-km drive on Ukkali Road from Bijapur.A round temple is built underneath the huge idol weighing 1,500 tonnes. It is the second tallest Shiva idol next only to the one at Murdeshwar in Uttara Kannada district
4. Kolhapur, Panhala Fort & Kaneri Math: Important places of tourist interest are Mahalaxmi Temple, New Palace & Museum, Kanheri Math & Panhala Fort
Mahalaxmi Temple: The Shri Mahalakshmi Temple of Kolhapur in Maharashtra, India, is one of the Shakti Peethas listed in various puranas of Hinduism. According to these writings, a Shakti Peetha is a place associated with Shakti, the goddess of power. This Shakti Peetha is of special religious significance being one of the six places where it is believed that one can either obtain salvation from desires or have them fulfilled. The temple takes its name from Mahalakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, and it is believed that the divine couple reside in the area.
New Palace: New Palace is located in Kolhapur. Built in 1884, it is also known as the Maharaja's New Palace. Major Mant designed the palace. The architecture of the palace is a combination of Jain and Hindu influences from Gujarat and Rajasthan, and local Rajwada style. The first floor is for the present Maharaja, while the ground floor is dedicated to a fine collection of costumes, weapons, games, jewellery, embroidery and paraphernalia such as silver elephant saddles. A letter from the British Viceroy and Governor General of India is the other memorabilia. There is a museum called Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum at New Palace. Curious and interesting collections from the possessions of Maharaja Shahaji Chhatrapati like guns, trophies and clothes are preserved here. The museum also has large, excellent weapons collection, including a gold-plated, double-barreled shotgun, some swords, and other guns. There is also one of Aurangzeb's swords at the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum.
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| Great Warrior Bajiprabhu Deshpande |
Panhala Fort: Panhala fort was built between 1178 and 1209 CE, one of 15 forts (others including Bavda, Bhudargad, Satara, and Vishalgad) built by the Shilahara rulerBhoja II. A copper plate found in Satara shows that Raja Bhoja held court at Panhala from 1191–1192 CE. About 1209–10, Bhoja Raja was defeated by Singhana (1209–1247), the most powerful of the Devgiri Yadavas, and the fort subsequently passed into the hands of the Yadavas. Apparently it was not well looked after and it passed through several local chiefs. In 1376 inscriptions record the settlement of Nabhapur to the south-east of the fort.
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| At Kaneri Math |
It was an outpost of the Bahamanis of Bidar. Mahmud Gawan, an influential prime minister, encamped here during the rainy season of 1469. On the establishment of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur in 1489, Panhala came under Bijapur and was fortified extensively. They built the strong ramparts and gateways of the fort which, according to tradition, took a hundred years to build. Numerous inscriptions in the fort refer to the reign of Ibrahim Adil Shah, probably Ibrahim I (1534–1557).
Kaneri Math: A newly developed cultural museum has fine imitations of various cultures & traditions relating to Karnataka & Maharashtra.
TWO DAYS TRIPS
Perfect over night Historical excursion would be
- Badami, Aihole & Pattadkal topped up with Kudalsangam & Hampi, or
- Badami, Aihole & Pattadkal topped up with Almatti Dam (Rock Garden) & Bijapur
Kudalsangam most historic place since around 800 years. The famous rivers Krishna and Ghataprabha merge here and flows towards Srisaila in AP. An inscription in the temple of 1213 A.D. records a gift to the god Acheshvara. Another stone record of 1160 A.D. refers to land grant to deities, Kaleshvara and Achesvara.
Hampi (Humpi or Hampe) is both a historic & religious place in India. This was the capital of the Hindu emperor Vijayanagara, who ruled the south India during 14th to 16th century AD. The ruins of Hampi, as it is known today, is a vast open museum of history, architecture and religion. Spread over an area more than 25 square kilometers (10 square miles), Hampi ruins is packed with giant temples, palaces, market streets, aquatic structures , fortifications and an abundance of other ancient monuments. The giant boulder strewn hills and the river that bisects make a bizarre landscape for this ancient metropolis. Together with its historic and mythological residues this rural area makes a perfect tourist spot. Hampi is in the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites.
Almatti Dam is built over river Krishna in Bagalkot is no longer a tourist's destination as it is out of bounds. However, as a respite one can spend good time at a well maintained park near the entrance to the dam.
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| Temple at Aihole |
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| Temple Complex at Pattadkal |
