Kalaburagi (Gulbarga)

Kalburgi (Gulbarga) (Kannada: ಕಲಬುರ್ಗಿ(ಗುಲ್ಬರ್ಗ)) is a town in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Gulbarga District, and of Gulbarga Division. Gulbarga is 613 km north of Bangalore and well connected by road to Bijapur, Hyderabad, Solapur and Bidar. A railway line connecting the southern part of India to Mumbai and Delhi passes through Gulbarga.

GULBARGA was known as 'KALBURGI' in former days which means stony land in Kannada. A Hindu city before the Muslim conquest, Gulbarga is a unique synthesis of two cultures. When Bahman Shah ascended the throne of Daulatabad, it was this city that he chose as his capital. He filled it with beautiful places, mosques, stately buildings and bazaars. Later rulers added to Bahman shah's vision and Gulbarga blossomed. Gulbarga still retains its historic charm.

Places of Interest:
1. The Shrine of Saint Sharana Basaveshwara: The shrine of an eminent Hindu religious teacher and philosopher who preached religious and social equality. The annual fair, lasting for a fortnight, is held during the month of May.

2. Gulbarga Fort: Built by Raja Gulchand and later strengthened by Ala-ud-din Bahmani, the fort has 15 towers and 26 guns-one of them measuring 25 feet in length.

3. Khwaja Bande Nawaz Durgah: The tomb of the great Sufi saint, Khwaja Syed Mohammed Gesu, is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. The Durgah Library houses almost 10,000 books in Urdu, Persian and Arabic.

Excursions
Jewargi: Jewargi is popular Jain pilgrim center, about 40 kms from Gulbarga. It is situated on the bank of the Bhima river and has many Jain basadis.

Humnabad: (52 kms) from Bidar, is a famous pilgrim center. It attracts thousands of devotees during the Veerabhadreshwara jatra, held for 7 days during Jan-Feb.

Naryanapura Dam: 120 km from Gulbarga. The Krishna river cascades down here and is known as the Jaladurga Falls.

Travel Info
Air: The nearest airport is Hyderabad(220 Kms).
Rail: Gulbarga is connected by rail to Bangalore, Bombay and Hyderabad.
Road: Gulbarga is connected by road to most places in south and west India.