Travel to India : Fascinating South India : Gol Gumbaz

Gol Gumbaz

The second largest dome in the world with the largest domed space in the world, the Gol Gumbaz is the pride of Bijapur and is located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. If Agra’s Taj Mahal’s unmatched beauty and unrivalled elegance enthrall the visitors, Gol Gumbaz’s huge size (the dome’s diameter is a staggering 125 feet) and height (equivalent to the height of a modern 20-storeyed building) leaves them awe struck.

Built in dark brown stone, in the 17th century, the monument is the mausoleum of Mohammad Adil Shah--one of the greatest rulers of Bijapur. The monument is a massive cube with octagonal seven-storeyed towers tapped by small rounded domes, projecting at the corners.

A perfect example of Islamic architecture with a gigantic dome, beautiful arches of various types, geometrical proportions and Islamic motifs, the Gol Gumbaz is surrounded by four minarets at the corners. Gol Gumbaz’s sense of grandeur and the preciseness of its geometrical proportions make it a wonder of engineering.