Bijapur

Located in the state of Karnataka, Bijapur is a city away from the tourist trail that shows the influence of Muslim culture. The motley streets offer a great mix of the smells and colors of India. The cows roam here, making some of the scrupulous slightly uncomfortable. I really liked the Ibrahim Rauza, the tomb of Ibrahim Adil Shah II, which was built way back in the year 1589. It is striking for its beauty and elegance: they say that it was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Gol Gumbaz is also very famous. It is a tomb, surmounted by a dome whose diameter is only surpassed by that of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.