GOLGUMBAZ

Bijapur's most famous monument at the eastern end of the city can be seen for miles around. Built in 1659, the Golgumbaz reflects the decadence of the late Adil Shahi dynasty. The mausoleum was built to house the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah, Sultan of Bijapur from 1627 to 1656. He lies at the heart of a vast 1,700 m² hall, dominated by a hemispherical dome whose 44-meter diameter is the second largest in the world after that of St. Peter's Basilica. Its name derives from Gola Gummata , meaning "circular dome". At the center of the platform, a plaque indicates that Mohammed Adil Shah is buried just below. He is surrounded by two of his wives, a mistress, one of his daughters and one of his grandsons. Access to the mausoleum's dome and roof is via one of the spiral staircases inside the seven-storey octagonal towers that frame the monument. At the top, you'll discover the "Galerie des Murmures", located at the base of the dome and overlooking the hall. Simply place two people on opposite sides of the room. One whispers against the wall, while the other, 44 metres away, hears. To appreciate the magic of this acoustic phenomenon, it's best to come early in the morning, around 6 a.m., before the gallery fills up with tourists and turns into a "screaming room". The reverberation of screams and whistles on the walls of the dome can quickly turn into a harrowing ordeal.