Historic. Majestic. With an austere beauty, all its own. Brave its harsh climate, and its forbidding landscape, and you'll discover a land of myriad surprises - musical pillars, stone dancers, elephant stables, mosques, monuments, forts, ruins ..... North Karnataka has the unique privilege of housing two World Heritage Centres - Hampi and Pattadakal. Wherever you go in North Karnataka, you'll find yourself within touching distance of history. 

About 75 km from Belgaum, is the District Headquarters of Dharwad. Calm and peaceful, this town still retains its old world charm. Dotting the town, are a number of churches and temples. Some of the churches worth a visit are, the All Saints Church, Basel Mission Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The temples of Hamuman, Dattatreya, Durgadevi, Dyavamma and Panduranga are also worth a visit. A few kilometres away from Dharwad is Lakkundi, a town with some exquisite temples in the Kalyani and Chalukyan styles.

By Air: The nearest airport is Belgaum (140 km)

By Rail: Dharwad is an important railhead on the Bangalore-Pune line. 

By Road: Dharwad is connected with Bangalore (427 km), Goa (140 km) and Belgaum (140 km).

Vyshali Lodge, Vijaya Road
PWD Rest House

Gol Gumbaz
The District Headquarters of Bijapur, is famous for the Gol Gumbaz,the glorious tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, and the second largest dome, unsupported by pillars, in the world. Even a pin drop can be heard distinctly from across a space of 38 km, in the Whispering Gallery. Nearby the Nagar Khana, which resembles the Gol Gumbaz, is a museum today. It houses some of the most exquisite Chinese porcelain, armoury, parchments, carpets and paintings. 

On the western outskirts of the city, is the mausoleum of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, built in the 17th century, Ibrahim Roza, which is said to have inspired the Taj Mahal and chosen by Emperor Aurangzeb as his residence. Its architect, Malik Sandal declared, "At the beauty of this structure, paradise stood amazed". Panels embellished with crosses, lotuses and wheels signify the religious tolerance of the Adil Shahi dynasty. 

Embracing 1,16,300 sq metres is the Jama Masjid, one of the finest mosques in India, crowned by a large onion dome. The invading Aurangzeb added a beautiful entrance and painted the floor with 2, 250 squares, one for each worshipper. The Masjid's sacred alcove has the Quran intricately painted on it with letters of gold.

Malik-e-Maidan, the largest medieval cannon in the world, measures 14 feet in length, and 55 tons in weight. Perched atop a fort wall, the cannon was hauled from war-ravaged Purandar in Maharashtra with the help of 400 bullocks, 10 elephants and several men. The cannon is actually the jaws and throat of a lion devouring elephants. To avoid the deafening explosion, after firing from the cannon, the gunner would submerge himself in a tank of water on the platform. the gunmetal is cool even in the heat. It is said that if one touches the gunmetal and makes a wish, it will be fulfilled. The Mehtar Mahal, with its intricately filigreed balconies and slender minarets, was built for the sweepers of the royal house!!!

Other places of interest are the Ara-killa, Anand Mahal, Bara Kaman, Gagan Mahal and Jahaz Mahal.

By Air: The nearest airport is Belgaum (205 km)

By Rail: Bijapur is connected with Bangalore and Mumbai.

By Road: Bijapur is connected with Bangalore (613 km, via Hubli), Mumbai (486 km), Hampi (254 km) and Belgaum (205 km).

Hotel Adilshahi Main (KSTDC), Hotel Adilshahi Annexe, Traveller's Lodge, KSRTC Guest House, APMC Guest House (Indi Road), Inspection Bungalow (Station Road), Tourist Bungalow, Hotel Samrat and Hotel Lalit Mahal are some of the accomodations available.

Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. The fort of Gulbarga is an amazing structure, with 15 towers and 26 guns. Inside the fort, is the Jama Masjid, fashioned on the lines of the famous mosque of Cardova in Spain. The Khwaja Bande Nawaz is a tomb, which is the venue of the annual urs, attended by nearly one hundred thousand people. The Dargah Library houses almost 10,000 books in Urdu, Persian and Arabic. Also worth seeing are Sultan Hasan's Tomb, the tomb of Ghias-ud-Din, and the Haft Gumbaz.

By Air: The nearest airport is Hyderabad (220 km).

By Rail: Gulbarga is connected with Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

By Road: Gulbarga is connected with Bangalore (600 km), Hyderabad (220 km), Bijapur (150 km) and Bidar (110 km).

Vadiraja Lodge (Tel : 08472-21140)
Sanman Lodge (Tel : 08472-22801)
Hotel Mayura Bahmani (Tel : 08472-20644)

In the northern most part of Karnataka lies Bidar - a tiny town steeped in history. As you enter the town, the Bidar Fort welcomes you with five darwazas (gates) that lead into a little settlement, nestling within the ramparts.The Rangin Mahal, once a royal residence, has elaborately carved wooden pillars and Persian art work. The Solah Kambh Masjid is the oldest Muslim building in Bidar, and one of the largest in India. Other attractions of Bidar are the Gagan Mahal, the Diwan-e-Am, the Royal Pavilion, the Takhat Mahal, and the Bahamani Tombs at Ashtur. Right at the heart of Bidar, stands the Chaubara, a 71 foot tower. One can get a splendid view from the top of this tower.

By Air: The nearest airport is Hyderabad (136 km)

By Rail: Bidar is connected with Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad.

By Road: Bidar is connected with Bangalore (669 km), Hyderabad (136 km), Bijapur (246 km) and Gulbarga (110 km)

Hotel Mayura Barid Shahi (Tel : 08482-6571)
Hotel Kaveri (Tel : 08482-7258)
Hotel Kailash (Tel : 08482-7727)