Belgaum Belgaum, ancient `Venugrama' (`Bamboo village') was the capital of the Rattas who shifted to this place from Saundatti during the close of 12th century. The place has a fort inside which there is the famous Kamalabasti built in 1204. It has a fine huge protruding lotus (Kamala) in its ceiling and this beautiful structure in Chalukyan style houses Neminatha Teerthankara image. Inside the fort is another excellent structure, the Safa Mosque with three entrances decorated with floral and calligraphic designs. Two of its pillars have Kannada inscriptions in Nagari scripts, one of 1199 of Ratta King Kartaveerya IV and another of 1261 of Sevuna (Yadava) Krishna.
The Jamia Masjid in the fort was built by Sher Khan in 1585-86. There is a Dargah of Khanjar Wali near it. The fort has Chalukyan Pillars spread all over. A few other landmarks in Belgaum are: The St. Mary's Chruch built in 1869, the Maruthi temple believed to be of Chalukyan times, the Kapileshwar temple also of Chalukyan times. Getting here: Belgaum is connected by rail and road to Bangalore, Mumbai and other major cities and towns in Karnataka. Where to stay: If you need any assistance with booking in any hotel in Karnataka or India in general click here |
