Situated in North Karnataka, Kalaburagi (formerly Gulbarga) is the headquarters of the eponymous district. The region has been shaped by the rule of several well-known dynasties, from the Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas to the Bahmanis. However, the district's many tourist attractions remain relatively unknown outside the state. This winter, if you're looking to go off the beaten track, why not travel to Kalaburagi?
The town serves as a gateway to numerous interesting destinations, including forts, temples, mosques, dams, and trekking trails. You may start your city tour with a visit to the Government Museum, which will acquaint you with the rich history of the region. Here's a look at the top places to visit in Kalaburagi.
Located on a plateau, the ruins of this sprawling fort speak volumes about its former architectural splendour. It is said that the existing fort was strengthened and enlarged to give it its present shape by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah, who founded the Bahmani dynasty in the 14th century.
To fully appreciate the fort, visit early in the day, as exploring the entire site requires quite a bit of walking. An example of Indo-Persian architecture, the fort features looming bastions, cannons, and numerous rooms and corridors adorned with pillars and arches.
It is said that this 14th-century mosque, built by Ala-ud-Din Bahmani within the fort complex, drew inspiration from the Moorish architecture of the mosque in Córdoba, Spain. The central large dome over the mihrab, along with the surrounding big and small domes, was added later by Feroze Shah Bahmani.
Dedicated to Sufi saint Syed Muhammad Hussaini, better known as Hazrat Khwaja Banda Nawaz Gesu Daraz (1321–1422), this shrine honours a disciple of Hazrat Khwaja Pir Naseeruddin Mahmood (Chirag of Delhi). Khwaja Banda Nawaz played a significant role in preaching Islam in India during the 14th century. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, the shrine houses a library that contains over 10,000 books in Urdu, Persian, and Arabic on diverse subjects.
At first glance, this hilltop monument may remind you of Gol Gumbaz, largely due to its arched corner towers and high dome. According to local guides, it was originally called Shor (Noise) Gumbaz because the sounds of passing horses could be heard. Over time, the word 'shor' transformed into 'chor.' Visitors never tire of hearing the seven echoes reverberating through it.
About 6 km away from Kalaburagi town lies the Buddha Vihar, renowned for its Buddha temple and meditation hall. The marble dome of the Vihara is said to be 70 feet high and 59 feet in diameter.
This ancient temple is located in Sannati town, approximately 75 km from Kalaburagi, on the banks of the Bhima River. It is believed to have been built during the rule of the Rashtrakutas and later expanded by the Chalukyas. The temple features a richly carved gopuram. Interestingly, in 1986, when the Kali temple inside the complex collapsed, the Archaeological Survey of India discovered four Ashokan edicts on the foundation stone of the temple, along with various artifacts like tablets and terracotta items. A Maha Stupa was also uncovered during the excavation.
Kalaburagi is accessible by various modes of transportation. The Kalaburagi Airport, located just 12 km from the city, operates flights to Bengaluru. At the same time, the nearest international airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, approximately 220 km away, reachable by road in about 3.5 hours. The city is also well-connected by rail, with regular train services to major cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai. For road travel, Kalaburagi has a well-maintained network with frequent bus services from nearby cities, including Hyderabad, Solapur, Pune, Mumbai, Bijapur, Bangalore, and Bidar, provided by KSRTC and private operators like VRL, SRS, and Pooja Travels.