Jul 20, 2009

Gagan Mahal, Bijapur

Another imposing structure of Bijapur is the Gagan Mahal, meaning the Sky Palace’. One of the tallest structures of Bijapur, now in ruins, but very beautifully maintained. Lots of greenery around, plenty of parrots squawking away to glory, it is difficult to comprehend the fact that the ruin is amidst this beautiful suroundings.



Gagan Mahal was built by Ali Adil Shah I around 1561. The building then was used as royal residence and also as the Durbar Hall. Today just this 21m façade remains. The ceiling is no longer there and admission to the crumbling rooms which was the private residence of the King and in the higher floors is not permitted.



The Durbar hall in the ground floor of the structure has been rightly compared with an Opera stage set. Four to five centuries back, this place echoed the sounds of musicians’ notes and the dancers’ anklets. Today it is the cacophony of horns of vehicles plying all around this Palace.

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55 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Another fascinating trip into India's past and I love it, Indrani! Your photos are stunning as always and are the perfect compliment to the history you provide! Have a great week!

James said...

What a fascinating place!

Janie said...

Beautiful photos of the unique architecture. It's so interesting to contemplate what the place was like centuries ago.

Carver said...

That is maintained well. Almost hard to believe it's a ruins. So impressive and beautiful.

Tranquility said...

What an impressive structure!
Beautiful!

Bonnie Bonsai said...

Ruins it may be but very beautiful star attraction to the place especially for that bird. Must be looking for a safe home.

Good morning from Down Under.

Marja said...

So old and it still looks magnificent Beautiful place

Prospero said...

Gagan Mahal or Sky Palace is such a beautiful name.

I think I would prefer the sound of musicians and dancers to that of motorcars, though.

Rush said...

Bijapur in focus..love the pic..love ur travelogue..its fun reading history.

ewok1993 said...

Very interesting place, as is the many many others scattered all over India.

I was wondering if there are any efforts to renovate/rebuild?

Luiz Ramos said...

Beautiful Indian trip. Thanks for.

jinksy said...

If only we could time travel, to see it in its heyday...

Wren said...

Thank you for sharing this glimpse of your lovely country. Old ruins are fascinating, aren't they? They have a mystery and other worldliness that you've captured well in your photos.

koala said...

Such a different architecture from what were here used to.

Esther Garvi said...

India is full of gorgeous places! I learn so much from your blog Indrani - thanks!!

Babooshka said...

We do not have so much historical building here so this is really interesting for me to see.

Kamini said...

You've done it yet again, Indrani, with the great photographs and narrative. My list of must-see places is growing longer and longer!

Ebie said...

Your world has a lot of history and ruins, portrayed by each of the photos. Great angles too on the third one.

George said...

This may be a ruin, but it is still beautiful and fascinating. Thanks for the pictures and information on this structure.

Rajesh said...

This is a stunning architecture. From whatever remaining now, we can see that it would have been magnificent structure in the hey days.

Pietro said...

Very fascinating structure in a magnificent landscape! I think it would be the right place for classical music concerts. Thanks for sharing these beauties, Indrani.

magiceye said...

thank you for the interesting information and the lovely photographs! the last photo is magnificent with the bird in flight!

Gaelyn said...

I sure like the architecture in India, ruin or not. The lines are so clean and inviting, plus the little details. Too bad it's not in a little better shape so you could visit more of it. Great tour and captures.

J said...

Beautiful and dramatic as ever!

Manish Kumar said...

It seems Bijapur has lots of beautiful monuments.

Hazel said...

Beautiful places usually retain some of their beauty and lots of charm even when they've become ruins. Beautiful shots, Indrani. As always.

Arija said...

It must have beena showcase palace in its hayday. It still retains this beauty even in ruin. Such a pity that something so beautiful fell into ruin.

Wolynski said...

More striking photos. Boy, India is steeped in history, forts, temples, ruins - what a fascinating place.

Jenn Jilks said...

Thanks for visiting m and my turtle!

mkreider said...

Beautiful architecture. Your photography does it justice. You lead a very nice tour, thank you!

bindu said...

Great photos. If only those walls could talk ... the stories they'd tell!

Anya said...

Beautiful ruins,
they are very special !!
Great shots as always ;)
I love old history (monuments)
Lovely written.
:)

Marites said...

Very interesting post and beautiful photos you got here. I love the first picture.

My world is here

Swarna said...

I'm so glad it's maintained well. Like this Bijapur series!

JO said...

amazing...

Thanks for visiting my blog.

irina said...

Beautiful place and nice photos!!

kisses,

irina

nadia said...

You take amazing pictures! I keep coming back to your blog to check on what all places I should be visiting in India. I get instant tour to amazing places and monuments on your blog, so thank you for sharing :)

And thank you for visiting my blog.

mkreider said...

I would want to stand there in peace and quiet and imagine the sounds of the past, not car horns.

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

Lovely pictures, but so sad to see the ruins.

Digital Flower Pictures said...

Thanks for the tour. Your area of the world looks really fascinating.

Kcalpesh said...

This one's still a beautiul place despite being in ruins. Makes me wonder about the beauty of it when it was fresh n new. I wish to travel in time really after looking at these beautiful structures! Thanks for sharing all the information! :-)

Jarlin Paul said...

Good one, I wish to go trips like this...(-:

radha said...

Nice to see atleast one site that is being well maintained unlike most other places. The photographs - especially the one taken through an arch is lovely.

R.Ramakrishnan said...

One can see the remnants of a once magnificent monumant. Sad to see it in ruins but nevertheless well preserved.
Thanks for sharing.
Ram

Hilary said...

Always a fascinating series of photos to be found here. I love that last one with the bird in flight.

Onkar said...

Lovely pictures and narration.

Valerie said...

I know this is a ruin but it still reveals the ornateness of the structure. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy looking at your pictures.

Ash said...

Fantastic! I particularly loved the third one...nice framing.

GMG said...

Hi Indrani!
Sorry for the long absence! But don’t you think it was a great vacation; some very busy weeks and just a few days off... ;)

Another place to put on my list. FGreat shots!!

Meanwhile Blogtrotter is still turning around Iceland. Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!

Marju said...

Beautiful photos indeed!

sujata said...

lovely post and beautifully captured pictures once again, good to be back to a post like this.

shooting star said...

a beautiful monument!!!!!

amatamari© said...

Is wonderful and is really unfair
that a place so beautiful go to ruin.
Thanks for the photos and the information.
:-)

Jeevan said...

I could realize how significant and amused might this place been then. Nice snaps and describe.

exposemaximum said...

I guess it is a great place for photography :)