Built in 1659, the Gol Gumbaz is the mausoleum of Mohammed Adil Shah of the Adil Shahi dynasty who ruled the Sultanate of Bijapur (State: Karnataka).
This is a massive structure with a square chamber measuring nearly 50 m on each side and is covered by a huge dome 43.3 m in diameter and attains the height of 27.4 m from a circular platform. There are four octagonal towers one in each corner of the chamber. Each tower consists of seven storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome. If I remember correctly there are 150 steps to climb. In the center of the chamber are the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah II and his relations.
Apart from his sheer size another most interesting aspect of the enclosed place is acoustics. At the top inside the dome it is a whispering gallery where even the smallest sound is heard across the other side of the Gumbaz. At the periphery of the dome is a circular balcony where any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed around 7 times. Anything whispered from one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly on the diagonally opposite side.
This Dome is the second largest one in the world which is unsupported by any pillars.
This is a massive structure with a square chamber measuring nearly 50 m on each side and is covered by a huge dome 43.3 m in diameter and attains the height of 27.4 m from a circular platform. There are four octagonal towers one in each corner of the chamber. Each tower consists of seven storeys and the upper floor of each opens on to a round gallery which surrounds the dome. If I remember correctly there are 150 steps to climb. In the center of the chamber are the tombs of Muhammad Adil Shah II and his relations.Apart from his sheer size another most interesting aspect of the enclosed place is acoustics. At the top inside the dome it is a whispering gallery where even the smallest sound is heard across the other side of the Gumbaz. At the periphery of the dome is a circular balcony where any whisper, clap or sound gets echoed around 7 times. Anything whispered from one corner of the gallery can be heard clearly on the diagonally opposite side.This Dome is the second largest one in the world which is unsupported by any pillars.
69 comments:
Gol Gumbaz - The first picture
Will say - That is a photograph
- congratulations
very beautiful place and great photos! thanks for sharing!
A beautiful and imposing structure! Excellent catch!
I remember going there during childhood. need to revisit
Magnifica !!!
Questo sultano doveva essere molto ricco !!!
Bellissimo e superbo palazzo.
Buona giornata :)
What a building! Similar to Tajmahal right?
Awesome. The scale is clear in the first photo, looking at how small the people are. It must be even more impressive in person.
Wow! It’s amazing to know the echo system inside the dome! An Extraordinary monument and a grand structure. Interesting Rajesh
Hi Rajesh! Stunning!!
Sorry for the rush!! I’ll be off for my official week holiday but Blogtrotter Two will be showing you the road to a wonderful setting: Costa Smeralda!! Enjoy, leave your comments and have a great weekend and week ahead!
What an incredible mausoleum! Amazing dome and how interesting the is the whispering gallery! I found that to be really fascinating at some of the Greek outdoor theaters that I visited where the acoustics were incredible. Superb photos and post, Rajesh, as always! Have a great weekend!
Sylvia
I have observed that most of these old structures are so designed that the acoustics are taken care of.
Another thing is rain water harvesting.
This is a very impressive structure. The dome is amazing and the whispering gallery must be something to experience. Thanks for your wonderful pictures.
Awesome place again! Your country is wonderful!
Greetings:)
more great shots of Indian temples...congrats
http://graceolsson.com/blog/2010/08/swedish-west-coast-lysekil/
An impressive structure! It's interesting that this is the second largest dome.
My Path
Beautiful mausoleum against a beautiful sky. All good shots but the first one is my favorite. The blue sky and clouds complement the architecture.
Very interesting post again and nice photos!Thank you for sharing!
Lovely pictures of an amazing piece of architecture. I love the idea of the whispering gallery. Thank you.
Jesus, with every post you amaze me discovering all those wonderful buildings to me. Is there an end to attractions of India? ;)
Great photos for SWF, really enjoy seeing all the different styles and structures. Thanks for sharing your views of the horizon with us all.
A great structure. For me, I would rather enrich the earth than be confine in any sort of building.
So nice to see clear air in your photos rather than the usual haze of smog.
just the fact that these temples are all standing - not to mention that they seem to all be in good condition - is an amazing feat given they are really really old.
happy skywatching and enjoy the weekend.
WOW, the structure and dome are huge. You captured a beautiful blue sky in your photos.
Beautiful structures...I love the sky peeking through the arch in the last photo!
An amazing building. Thanks for sharing info about it with us.
Have a great weekend.
My Skywatch is here.
Marvelously looking...great structures.
Lovely photo and great information to know!
Beautiful picture. I couldn't get a picture of Gol Gumbaz without people in it, when I visited Bijapur.
Very beautiful building. Fantastic how they can built such beautiful building during the anicent time. Have a nice weekend.
What a great structure that is..and you also captured some beautiful Blue sky with light clouds in it..well done !!
What a beautiful place, especially for as old as it is... a beautiful sky as well!
Thanks for visiting! Enjoy your weekend
Beautiful Building and very good info
wonderful photos
Have a nice weekend,
Greetings, Bram
My WordPress Blog
Seen om My World Tuesday
superb perspectives!
What a magnificent structure. Love that shot of the huge dome seen through the doorway and dwarfing the blue sky.
Magnificent building and a true piece of art.
Would be an interesting place to have a chat
Stupendous architecture...and excellent commentary!
Thanks Rajesh!
Wow, impressive building. Great shots.
Have a great weekend.
What a nice picture of the mausoleum and the clouds surrounding it. And the information about it was nice as well. Better be careful what you whisper about while you are there.
Beautiful! I love the acoustics information.
This is an awesome structure and the history is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
A very impressive structure indeed!
Very beautful! Thank you for sharing!
Have a fabulous day!
fantastic structures!
Rajesh: You captured a beautiful sky behind the mausoleum.
Wow, now this is impressive architecture! Thanks for sharing mate.
You really have some of the most beautiful architecture in the world there.
I am reminded of my trip there.
Great pictures.
Fantástico este mausoléu! Quase inacreditável sua estrutura sem pilares... Interessante saber detalhes do seu interior principalmente a acústica... Fiquei encantada com mais este patrimônio e agradecida pela bela imagem!
Bom final de semana!
That is a lot of stairs to climb! Beautiful collection of photos :D
One day I sure would love to see all this temples and palaces that I get to see here on your lovely blog.
I am back from my travels and even though I got to see some amazing places, I have yet to see structures such as these here.;)
Have a lovely weekend,
xoxo
Amazing building! Do you have pictures of the inside?
wow. lovely photos Rajesh :) it just towers over many architectures of the world.. :D
My ABC Wednesday G Here
Outstanding set of pictures!
This place is beautiful!
Léia
Wow, Gol Gumbaz works even better for ABC Wednesday than it did for Sky Watch Friday. Good thinking, Rajesh, I hadn't thought of a double-duty posting before. And the details and history are so interesting. Good work.
Kay
Alberta, Canada
Gorgeous architecture!
You are lucky indeed to have such marvellous buildings. Modern acoustic experts have something to learn
Impressive structure.
On behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, thank you! - ROG
Amazing architecture, especially for its age. So much detail without all the modern machinery. Fascinating whispering room too.
How incredible that a whisper can be heard! And the dome is not supported by pillars? Wow!
Every picture tells a story and I'm glad you have many a story to tell about these beautiful places.
Impressive structure. I have been to Karnataka twice but my visit was only restricted to Mysore and Bangalore. Will have to explore other places also. Our country is full of history and culture.
I am fascinated with the acoustics.
Hi Rajesh, another impressive photo... thanks for sharing this...
I hope you can drop by
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those pillar at the corner. looks like a Chinese pagoda.
Wow.. nice click :D
had only read abt GOL GUMBAZ in history books :D
today i am gettin to see the architectural image.. thank you rajesh :D
Thanks to all for appreciating this beautiful architecture.
I remember, inside the Whispering Gallery if a coin is dropped at the other end which is around 50m apart, is felt like, it has been dropped near your feet.
crystal clear photography.
Great photo
Thanks to all for appreciating this beautiful architecture.
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