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The Asar Mahal in Bijapur

The word ‘asar’ here stands for holy relics.

The Asar Mahal was built within the Bijapur citadel by Muhammad Shah in 1646 as a Hall of Justice. I imagine it’s name may initially have been different and related to Adl ( justice).

The city gateways

Later when some hair ( moo e Mubarak) from the Prophet ‘s beard were brought and kept here it became a sacred sanctuary.

Today it’s treated like a dargah and women aren’t allowed in. I could only sit on the opposite side of the artificial lake and imagine the frescoes that are supposed to be in the rooms inside .

The east side is an open portico supported on four wooden pillars facing an artificial lake.

A staircase leads to a large hall and to the right there is a verandah overlooking onto the portico.

The citadel walks can still be seen behind it.

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