Visit to Ruins of Gagan Mahal Vijayapura Karnataka
Another imposing structure, an outstanding example of Indo-Islamic architecture style, of Vijayapura is the Gagan Mahal, meaning the Sky Palace. It is a combination of palace and audience hall. The walls are one of the tallest structures of Bijapur. Sadly now the monument is in ruins. But whatever is remaining is very beautifully maintained.
Lots of greenery around, so much so that birds have found a home there. I heard plenty of parrots squawking away to glory, it is difficult to comprehend the fact that the ruins of Gagan Mahal of Bijapur is amidst this beautiful surroundings.
Note that there is another Gagan Mahal in Anegundi, Hampi, so the name can be confusing.
History of Gagan Mahal in Bijapur
This impressive monument was built by Adil Shahi Sultan Ali Adil Shah I around 1561. Gagan Mahal then was used as royal residence and also as the Durbar Hall. Today just this 21m facade remains. The ceiling is no longer there and admission to the crumbling rooms which was the private residence of the King and in the higher floors is not permitted.
Gagan in Hindi means sky, the view from arched windows may be the reason for such a name. In its present state, with the roof gone the name seemed to suit it even more. The palace is believed to have belonged to queens. Several factors there indicate that it was residence of Queens. This was maintained well by the rulers like Ibraham Dil Shah, Muhammad Adil Shah, and Ali Adil Shah during their regime.
This palace is the site of important events in the history of Bijapur. After the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb defeated the last Adil Shahi ruler Sikander, Aurangzeb sat on the throne at this palace and Sikander was brought before Aurangzeb in chains as a captive.
Gagan Mahal Architecture
The picture below is that of the main arch. It is the tallest and broadest in the whole of Bijapur, 66ft tall and 56ft broad. Such a huge span between the arches gave s clear open space between the facade and the Darbar Hall. There was no obstruction by pillars or masonry of any kind. That enabled the king and his nobles have an uninterrupted view of the assembled gathering, all performances and other military activities that took place in front of it.
The wooden ceiling of this hall was once supported by heavy beams, none of which now exists. The platform where performances took place too is huge.
Staircases were provided on the back wall that led the royal residents and their attendants to the living rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and other parts of the residence without being watched by outsiders. So much for the safety, refuge, and privacy to the royal family.
Durbar hall in the ground floor of the structure has been rightly compared with an Opera stage set. Four to five centuries back, this place echoed with the sounds of musicians’ notes and the dancers’ anklets. Today it is the cacophony of horns of vehicles plying all around this Palace.
The front facade of this Mahal was part of Indian postcards brought out by the Indian postal department.
How to Reach Gagan Mahal Bijapur
The address is: Gagan Mahal, DC Office Rd, Gopalpur Galli, Vijayapura, Karnataka 586101. It is an open park within the Bijapur city accessible by several roads. It is in the open and a free sight.
Tickets: Entrance cost 5INR. No charges for camera.
Timings: The Mahal is open to visitors from 8 AM to 6 PM.
(Updated post. This was first published on Jul 20th, 2009.)
Amazing historical place. I would like to take my kids there.
Quite a fascinating place 🙂
more than 450 years old….i love to visit such historical places.
people only talk about Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur. This place should get more visibility
The palace is believed to have belonged to queens. Several factors there indicate that it was residence of Queens. This was maintained well by the rulers like Ibraham Dil Shah, Muhammad Adil Shah, and Ali Adil Shah during their regime. Very informative indeed but I am confused , these mughal emperors used Hindi name for their fort ? or there is some another meaning of Gagan in Persian ?
Nice, eye-catching structure
The Vintage holds beauty like the Gagan Mahal truely ! What an amazing piece of architecture and the Pics look stunning depicting the details.
I guess it is a great place for photography 🙂
I could realize how significant and amused might this place been then. Nice snaps and describe.
Is wonderful and is really unfair
that a place so beautiful go to ruin.
Thanks for the photos and the information.
🙂
a beautiful monument!!!!!
lovely post and beautifully captured pictures once again, good to be back to a post like this.
Beautiful photos indeed!
Hi Indrani!
Sorry for the long absence! But don’t you think it was a great vacation; some very busy weeks and just a few days off… 😉
Another place to put on my list. FGreat shots!!
Meanwhile Blogtrotter is still turning around Iceland. Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!
Fantastic! I particularly loved the third one…nice framing.
I know this is a ruin but it still reveals the ornateness of the structure. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy looking at your pictures.
Lovely pictures and narration.
Always a fascinating series of photos to be found here. I love that last one with the bird in flight.
One can see the remnants of a once magnificent monumant. Sad to see it in ruins but nevertheless well preserved.
Thanks for sharing.
Ram
Nice to see atleast one site that is being well maintained unlike most other places. The photographs – especially the one taken through an arch is lovely.
Good one, I wish to go trips like this…(-:
This one's still a beautiul place despite being in ruins. Makes me wonder about the beauty of it when it was fresh n new. I wish to travel in time really after looking at these beautiful structures! Thanks for sharing all the information! 🙂
Thanks for the tour. Your area of the world looks really fascinating.
Lovely pictures, but so sad to see the ruins.
I would want to stand there in peace and quiet and imagine the sounds of the past, not car horns.
You take amazing pictures! I keep coming back to your blog to check on what all places I should be visiting in India. I get instant tour to amazing places and monuments on your blog, so thank you for sharing 🙂
And thank you for visiting my blog.
Beautiful place and nice photos!!
kisses,
irina
I'm so glad it's maintained well. Like this Bijapur series!
amazing…
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Beautiful ruins,
they are very special !!
Great shots as always 😉
I love old history (monuments)
Lovely written.
🙂
Great photos. If only those walls could talk … the stories they'd tell!
Very interesting post and beautiful photos you got here. I love the first picture.
My world is here
Beautiful architecture. Your photography does it justice. You lead a very nice tour, thank you!
Thanks for visiting m and my turtle!
More striking photos. Boy, India is steeped in history, forts, temples, ruins – what a fascinating place.
It must have beena showcase palace in its hayday. It still retains this beauty even in ruin. Such a pity that something so beautiful fell into ruin.
Beautiful places usually retain some of their beauty and lots of charm even when they've become ruins. Beautiful shots, Indrani. As always.
It seems Bijapur has lots of beautiful monuments.
Beautiful and dramatic as ever!
I sure like the architecture in India, ruin or not. The lines are so clean and inviting, plus the little details. Too bad it's not in a little better shape so you could visit more of it. Great tour and captures.
thank you for the interesting information and the lovely photographs! the last photo is magnificent with the bird in flight!
Very fascinating structure in a magnificent landscape! I think it would be the right place for classical music concerts. Thanks for sharing these beauties, Indrani.
This is a stunning architecture. From whatever remaining now, we can see that it would have been magnificent structure in the hey days.
This may be a ruin, but it is still beautiful and fascinating. Thanks for the pictures and information on this structure.
Your world has a lot of history and ruins, portrayed by each of the photos. Great angles too on the third one.
You've done it yet again, Indrani, with the great photographs and narrative. My list of must-see places is growing longer and longer!
We do not have so much historical building here so this is really interesting for me to see.
India is full of gorgeous places! I learn so much from your blog Indrani – thanks!!
Such a different architecture from what were here used to.
Thank you for sharing this glimpse of your lovely country. Old ruins are fascinating, aren't they? They have a mystery and other worldliness that you've captured well in your photos.
If only we could time travel, to see it in its heyday…
Beautiful Indian trip. Thanks for.
Very interesting place, as is the many many others scattered all over India.
I was wondering if there are any efforts to renovate/rebuild?
Bijapur in focus..love the pic..love ur travelogue..its fun reading history.
Gagan Mahal or Sky Palace is such a beautiful name.
I think I would prefer the sound of musicians and dancers to that of motorcars, though.
So old and it still looks magnificent Beautiful place
What an impressive structure!
Beautiful!
That is maintained well. Almost hard to believe it's a ruins. So impressive and beautiful.
Beautiful photos of the unique architecture. It's so interesting to contemplate what the place was like centuries ago.
What a fascinating place!
Another fascinating trip into India's past and I love it, Indrani! Your photos are stunning as always and are the perfect compliment to the history you provide! Have a great week!
Ruins it may be but very beautiful star attraction to the place especially for that bird. Must be looking for a safe home.
Good morning from Down Under.