Continuing with my journey through Bijapur, this week I relate my experiences at whispering gallery Gol Gumbaz. Gol Gumbaz is the second largest dome in the world, the first being St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome. It is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (1627-56 AD), the 7th ruler of this dynasty. Adil Shah II wanted a monument that matched his fathers’ tomb, the Ibrahim Rauza. Little did he know then that same monument would turn in to his sepulcher. It was designed and built by the renowned architect Yaqut of Dabul but could not be completed as the king died unexpectedly in 1656. This incomplete building was converted in to his sepulcher. @harishpoojari @himshilp WHISPERING GALLERY OF GOL GUMBAZ INTERIORS On entering the massive structure we were surprised to see that it was a single huge room. The entire floor area we were told was 1700sqm, in the center were the cenotaphs of the Mohammad Adil, his two wives, his mistress Rambha, his daughter and grandson. The hugeness and hollowness of this single room is unfathomable from outside. The Gumbaz, meaning the dome, was high up at a height of 51 m. @himshilp We climbed the stairs of one of the minarets, seven floors, to reach the Gumbaz. In fact we hurried through the stairs to reach the whispering gallery. The whispering gallery of Gol Gumbaz is famed for the clear echoes of the faintest whistle, not once but more than nine times. There has to be pin drop silence to hear that. The Gumbaz opens at 6AM; we were there even before that. There was one more family of three members and we had an unspoken understanding to maintain pin drop silence. When one member made a sound the rest of us listened and counted in silence the echoes. We could very clearly hear seven echoes, then the fainter ones too. Whispers were clearly audible at diametrically opposite side of the dome. Children had fun exchanging whispers. Awed completely by the acoustical wonder we sat there in darkness marveling at this treasure of India. More than three centuries old, the monument stood strong bearing the brunt of nature.@mr_photographer________8 Soon it was morning; local crowd started trickling in, with of course no spoken or unspoken understanding. Each of them wanting to hear his own echo, and then there was total cacophony. We then walked along the gallery around the base of the dome, its width just about 3.54m peeping down at the tombs down below. Any accidental fall from there would mean sure… Outside the dome, the petals like structures were reflecting the red glow from the sun’s rays. The monument stood high and mighty to face one more day. If this was the marvel in its incomplete state I wonder what it would have been, if it was completed! @mr_photographer________8 GOL GUMBAZ INTERESTING FACTS AND FIGURES - A civil engineering marvel - Second largest dome in World - It stands without support of pillars, making it an architectural wonder - It covers an area of 1700 sqm, diameter of 44 m - Any small whisper gets amplified, echoes back and can be heard at least seven times after across a distance of more than 40 meters in the vast dome - Built in 1656 it took 30 years to complete the construction The mausoleum was designed by Yaqut of Dabul @mr_photographer________8 TIPS FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE AT GOL GUMBAZ - Go there early, preferably on weekdays for fewer crowds to fully enjoy your whispering gallery experience - Avoid the intense summer heat from March to June - Witnessing a rainy of winter sunrise from the whispering tomb would be a great experience - Good parking facilities - No eateries within the complex Caution: This is not a place for handicapped and those with weak knees. The steps to climb to the dome are very big and steep. You have climb seven floors to reach the dome, that is round 100 steps to climb one way.@zeeshanphotography_23 - Tickets and Timings for Gol Gumbaz Timings: Gol Gumbaz is closed to public on Fridays. Other days it is open from 10 AM to 5 PM. These are new timings. When I visited in 2009, it was open early in the morning at 6.30 AM. Tickets: The Gol Gumbaz entry ticket for Indians is 20INR, for foreigners the ticket price is 200INR. SAARC and BIMSTEC citizens pay 20INR each as Gol Gumbaz entry ticket price. Free for children below 15 years of age. There is no charge for taking digital cameras inside. - How to Get To Vijayapura Bijapur can be accessed by road and rail. We did the road trip to Vijayapura from Bangalore halting at places like Pattadakal, Badami, and Hampi. Bijapur Railway Station is four minutes from Gol Gumbaz. The nearest airport is in Belgaum, with limited number of domestic flights, at a distance of 214 km by road and Hyderabad, which has international airport, at a distance of 355 km. You can hire both private and public transport that will drop you off at Gol Gumbaz in Vijayapura. - Other best Things to Do in Bijapur Bijapur is a small town stuffed with lots of interesting things to do and interesting things to see. Though a small place, you may need well over two days to see and experience it well. If you have valid Indian Driver’s License, you can hire a car and drive around at your convenience. There are plenty of tour packages that you can opt for different activities in the historic town of Bijapur. @photos_like_never_before Cre: isharethese