Places to Visit Near Bijapur

Known For : Panhala Fort Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary Shri Chatrapati Shahu Museum (New Palace)

Kolhapur is situated on the banks of the river Panchaganga in the south-west region of Maharashtra.  Situated 230 kilometres away from Pune, Kolhapur is one of the princely states and boasts of a rich legacy dating back to the times of the Marathas. Presently, Kolhapur is known for Kolhapuri sandals and necklaces that are sold worldwide.

Best Time: July to February

30 Kolhapur Attractions

The Virupaksha temple (or Prasanna Virupaksha temple) is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at Hampi, Karnataka. Built during the 7th century, the beautiful architecture and history of the temple has made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is abode to one of the forms of Lord Shiva called Lord Virupaksha. While it is located at present day Hampi, it was once a smaller shrine in the middle of the ancient and majestic Vijayanagara empire. You will find beautiful stone inscriptions dating back to the 7th century on the walls of the temple as proof of its rich heritage. Architecture-lovers and history-buffs, do visit the temple when you are in Hampi!

While most tourists stay to the south of Tungabhadra where most of the ruins are located, some prefer the north banks which have a vibrant hippie culture. Virapapur Gadde or Hippie Island is a small island situated across the Tungabhadra river. It takes 5 minutes to travel to the island via coracle or boat. The last boat for the island leaves at 5.30 pm. The backpacker's delight, Hippie Island (Virupapur Gadde) is an epitome of scenic beauty and is known for laidback ambient and lodges. It has shacks and cafes which operate from October end to mid-March.

Known For : Durga Temple, Aihole Lad Khan Temple Ravanaphadi Cave Temples

Home to about 125 Chalukyan temples and ancient monuments, Aihole is a medieval centre located in Bagalkot, Karnataka. It is also among the contenders for a position in the UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by sandstone hills and villages, it stands on the banks of the Malaprabha River. Formerly, the capital of the Chalukya Dynasty, Excavations revealed that this site has over 100 Hindu and Jain temples dating back to the time of the Chalukyas. Today, Aihole is a prominent centre for temple architecture and intricate stonework.

Best Time: October to March

23 Aihole Attractions

Known For : Panhala Fort Dajipur Wildlife Sanctuary Shri Chatrapati Shahu Museum (New Palace)

Kolhapur is situated on the banks of the river Panchaganga in the south-west region of Maharashtra.  Situated 230 kilometres away from Pune, Kolhapur is one of the princely states and boasts of a rich legacy dating back to the times of the Marathas. Presently, Kolhapur is known for Kolhapuri sandals and necklaces that are sold worldwide.

Best Time: July to February

30 Kolhapur Attractions

Gokak Falls is known for its beautifully turbulent waters gushing over the rocks and down to a fall of 52 metres (170 feet). This humongous waterfall has a 170 meter long, hanging rope suspension bridge built over it that which allow visitors to walk right above the fall and feel the wind pushed by the river. The Falls is located at a distance of about 7 km from the Gokak town and about 60 km from Belgaum City.

Located at a distance of 15 km from Gokak in the Belgaum district of Karnataka, Godchinamalaki Falls is a gorgeous waterfall based on the river Markandeya. Falling down a deep green valley, the entire spot reverberates with the tinkling gurgle of cascading water. Also known as Markandeya Falls, the waterfall actually recedes in two separate steps- the first one falls down from a height of 25 m and after a brief recess, the second one falls down at 20 m. The spectacle is a pure visual delight.

Known For : Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah Buddha Vihar Gulbarga Fort

Officially known as Kalaburagi, this city is famous for its historical monuments, temples, tombs and delectable cuisine. Located at a distance of 623 kms from Bangalore, Gulbarga, the administrative headquarters of Gulbarga district in Northern Karnataka, is an essential landmark in the history and culture of the region. Laid out with rich cultural heritage dating back to the 6th century, Gulbarga has traces of almost all the major powers of the Southern region in its map, but the most prominent of them is that of the Bahmani Sultanate and the subsequent dominance of the Aurangzeb after its decline.

Best Time: October - March

8 Gulbarga Attractions

Located in Maharashtra near the Karnataka border, Solapur is located about 100 kilometres away from Bijapur/Vijayapura. The town falls on the conjunction of major highways and railway lines which include cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. Solapur is famous for the Siddeshwar Mandir which is located on a lake. Apart from this, there are various other temples and the Kamar Talab is another famous attraction.

Hubballi, as the city is known locally, is one of the twin-cities along with Dharwad. Hubli is the second most important city of Karnataka, after Bangalore. The city is well connected with respect to travel and the city has a separate lane for the buses which is called the BRTS(Bus Rapid Transport System). Hubli is also known for its sunsets, which can be enjoyed at the Unkal Lake and atop Nrupatunga Hill. The town city is also studded with many gardens and temples to visit.