Gulbarga: Fort, Culture and Regional Cuisine

Gulbarga Fort stands out for its double fortifications; a 30-foot-wide moat surrounds the fort. The interplay of walls and moat gives the complex a distinctive architectural character. The Jama Masjid also offers a glimpse into Gulbarga’s history: it was built to honor the city as the capital of the Bahmani Sultanate.

Religious Sites and Collections

The samadhi of Sharana Basaveshwara is located in the central Garbha Gudi of the Sharana Basaveshwara Temple. The Dargah Library, associated with the Khwaja Banda Nawaz Dargah, holds books on history and literature in Urdu, Persian and Arabic. The Government Museum has a different focus: its collection includes sculptures, coins, ceramics, manuscripts and textiles. The museum also offers guided tours, interactive exhibitions and educational programs.

Ganagapur and Sannati

Ganagapur is a sacred site of Dattatreya and is associated with Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami. The confluence of the Bhima and Amaraja rivers at Ganagapur is also considered extremely sacred. The site is connected to the road and rail networks; numerous state buses run there from Gulbarga. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current schedule before setting out.

Sannati lies on the banks of the Bhima in Chitapur taluk, Gulbarga district. Excavations there uncovered limestone reliefs from the destroyed Maha Stupa, also called Adholoka Maha Chaitya. Four Ashoka edicts, written in Prakrit and the Brahmi script, were also found in Sannati. These finds offer different archaeological perspectives: the reliefs are linked to a named structure, while the language and script of the edicts are explicitly identified.

Landscape and Getting Around

The Chandrampalli Dam was built on the Bhima River in Chandrampalli village, Chincholi taluk. Yetipote Nala and the Nazarapur Waterfalls are located in Konchavaram Wildlife Sanctuary in Chincholi taluk; there are two waterfalls formed by the seasonal flow of the Yetipote stream. Buddha Vihar covers 18 acres. It is 6 km from the district headquarters, on Sedam Road near Gulbarga University.

Regional Cuisine

Jolada Rotti is a staple of the district and is served with Shenga Chutney Pudi. Bele Hoorana Holige is a regional sweet prepared on all festive occasions. Tahari is similar to pulao; meat is added to the rice. Together, a staple, a festive sweet and a rice dish with meat represent different facets of regional cuisine.

Festivals and Cultural Events

The annual Jatra chariot festival is held in honor of Sharana Basaveshwara. The annual Urs festival at Khwaja Banda Nawaz Dargah features music, dance and spiritual elements. Gulbarga Utsav also presents music and dance, as well as traditional arts, every year. The Rashtrakuta Utsav in Malkhed combines historical walks, cultural performances and scientific lectures. The dates of the Rashtrakuta Utsav vary from one edition to another, so check them before planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Mulhalli, Bengaluru, Davanagere, Chitradurga, Bangalore Urban, Mandya, Udupi, Uttara Kannada

For the broader travel overview: Karnataka.