Gulbarga is located in the Indian state Karnataka and is a well-known tourist attraction. The original name of the town was Kalburgi but was later changed by Bahamani rulers to Gulbarga. The word Gulbarga came from the Persian language.
The word Gulbarga came from the Persian language, where “gul” means flower and berg means leaf. It has been under the dominance of the Bahmani Dynasty for a very long and also served as the capital of this kingdom.
One can observe varied styles of architectural patterns in Gulbarga, which makes it valuable for historians. Also, two main rivers, namely Bhima and Krishna, flow in the city, making the land fire for agricultural purposes.
Best time to visit: October to February.
Gulbarga- eternal bliss for tourists
Gulbarga reveals speckled forms of art and culture. It seems like everybody who ever ruled this place left a mark of their existence in this city, especially Bahmani’s. The place is on the priority list of tourists and every year, there is a huge crowd travelling here to witness the spectacular and assorted form of art.
The holy places are engraved with quotes from the respective religion. The paintings inside the monuments are all different and new since they all came directly from the imagination of the artist.
There are many mouth-watering dishes cooked here, namely Tahari, Jolada Roti and Bele Hoorana Holige. The last one is the native sweet of the town that is cooked on every occasion. This town is indeed a bliss for tourists.
Must visit places in and around Gulbarga
The town is an attractive place and tourists in large numbers visit here to experience what it is like to be at Gulbarga. Below are a few places near the town that are also worth visiting.
Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah
It is the tomb of the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Syed Mohammad Gesu Daraz. The architecture of the Dargah is of Indo- Saracenic style. Most of the parts of the Dargah, like the walls, domes etc, are an inspiration from the Bahmani. People here have a deep faith in this Dargah that cannot be shaken.
Gulbarga Fort
The Fort is amongst the top tourist attractions in the place. The fort portrays an Islamic style of architecture. It was built by Raja Gulchand and was later fortified during the reign of Bahamani Dynasty. Alauddin Bahman equipped the fort after the town was declared the capital of the Bahamani Kingdom.
Jama Masjid
This Masjid was built by Mohammad Bahmani in 1367 and is amongst the oldest Masjids present in Southern India. It was developed to honour the declaration of the town to be the capital of Bahmani. The Masjid is decorated beautifully and is in an area of Gulbarga Fort.
Sharana Basaveshwara Temple
The temple is dedicated to Shri Sharana Basaveshwara, a great Hindu philosopher and wise religious teacher. It is situated in the old town of Kalburgi. The philosopher was famous for Dasoha and Kayak philosophy and was a Lingayat saint.
Jevargi
Jevargi is located on the banks of the Bhima River. It is popular pilgrim centre of the Jain community, and there exists many Jain Basadis also. Jevargi is almost 40km away from Gulbarga. Jains in large numbers flock here during their festivals.
Narayanapura Dam
This dam is constructed around 120km away from the town. River Krishna gushes down here and is commonly called Jaladurga Falls. The view of flowing water is in itself a source of serenity. The overall scenic beauty is also marvellous.
Sannathi
It is the largest Buddhist site in Karnataka which makes it really important from the archaeological point of view. It was built in the 11th century and is now referred as Chandralamba Temple. Devotees visit this place with great hope and faith.
How to reach Gulbarga
Reaching the town is a trouble-free journey as it provides good connectivity.
By Air
The airport is under construction; therefore no direct flights to Gulbarga. The nearest airport is around 81km away from Gulbarga in Sholapur. Hyderabad International Airport is another airport which is 220km away. Hyderabad is finely connected with the major cities and hence, it is easy to fly here. You can opt for a train or bus for the journey to Gulbarga from here.
By Rail
The town has a vast network of trains across all the main cities of India. One can reach Gulbarga via train with great ease. The journey all the way to the town is comfortable by train. The railway is indeed the lifeline of India. Another railway station at Gulbarga is under operation and will soon be ready.
By road
There are many public and private buses running on a regular basis to the town. The fair is reasonable and tourists experience a smooth journey. There is a strong connectivity of buses across the major parts of India so that tourists can easily board the buses and visit the place.
Also See
Dams in Gulbarga
Temples in Gulbarga
Sightseeing in Gulbarga
Colleges and universities in Gulbarga