Landmarks in Bidar
- 01
Bahmani Tombs at Ashtur
The domed tombs of the later Bahmani sultans at Ashtur, east of Bidar. Ahmad Shah Wali's tomb, with painted interior walls, is the one to see.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon, near sunset, when the domes glow
- Tickets
- The site is protected by the ASI, and most tombs are kept locked and viewed from outside. Ahmad Shah's tomb is also a dargah, so dress modestly; ask locally about access and any fee.
- 02
Chaubara
A 22 metre cylindrical tower at the crossing of Bidar's two main streets, a Bahmani-era watchtower you can climb for a view over the old city.
- Time needed
- 20–40 minutes including the climb
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Late afternoon, for the light and a cooler climb
- Tickets
- A state-protected monument. Whether the tower is open on a given day, and any fee, should be checked locally.
- 03
Mahmud Gawan Madrasa
The ruined 15th-century college of Mahmud Gawan, the Bahmani prime minister, with a tall tiled minaret and a large courtyard. It stands a few minutes' walk from the fort.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon; avoid midday sun in the courtyard
- Tickets
- Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Ticketing and hours have not been confirmed from an official source; ask locally and carry small change.
- 04
Solah Khamba Mosque
A long, many-arched mosque inside Bidar Fort, completed in 1423–24, with a heavy central dome and a prayer hall of 95 bays. It is the fort's best-preserved large building.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, when the arcade is in shade
- Tickets
- Part of the fort visit. Remove footwear at the prayer hall if asked, and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
Temples in Bidar
- 05
Narasimha Jharni Cave Temple
A Narasimha shrine reached by wading through a roughly 300 metre water-filled cave under the Manichoola hills, about 5 km from Bidar.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours including queues
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Morning on weekdays; avoid festival days
- Tickets
- Free temple entry. Access policy has changed over time and the cave has at times been closed to wading when flow is low; confirm with the temple trust. Dress to get wet and carry nothing valuable.
- 06
Papnash Shiva Temple
A Shiva temple of Kalyana Chalukya origin on the west side of Bidar, with a stepped tank and a spring that gives it its name, the destroyer of sins.
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning; Maha Shivaratri for atmosphere but heavy crowds
- Tickets
- Free temple entry. Dress modestly and remove shoes. Leather items and photography inside the sanctum may be restricted; ask at the entrance.
Gardens and parks in Bidar
- 07
Barid Shahi Tombs
A park of domed tombs along Udgir Road where the Barid Shahi rulers of Bidar are buried, including founder Qasim Barid I.
- Time needed
- 45–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon, with soft light on the domes
- Tickets
- The park is run as a protected monument. Hours and fees were not verified from an official source; ask locally before you go.
Forts in Bidar
- 08
Bidar Fort
A laterite fort on the edge of the Deccan plateau, with a triple moat, seven gates and the ruined palaces of the Bahmani and Barid Shahi sultans. It is the anchor sight of any Bidar day.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours for the main sights; a half day with the ramparts
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon; November to February is the comfortable season
- Tickets
- Published information on fees conflicts: some sources say entry has been free, others list a small ticket for Indian visitors and a higher one for foreigners. Hours are commonly given as roughly 9 am to 5 pm. Confirm both at the gate or with the ASI before you go.
Places of worship in Bidar
- 09
Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib
A major Sikh shrine in a valley outside Bidar, built around a spring that Guru Nanak is said to have brought forth. A free langar serves visitors around the clock.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning, or any time outside festival days
- Tickets
- Free entry. Cover your head, remove shoes, wash your feet where asked, and avoid tobacco or alcohol. Photography rules vary inside the sanctum; ask a sevadar.
Experiences in Bidar
- 10
Naubad Karez
The restored end of Bidar's 15th-century karez, an underground water channel in the Persian style, at Naubad village on the city's outskirts.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, in the dry season when water is visible
- Tickets
- No formal ticketing is known. Access is through the village and heritage groups; ask locally and respect nearby farms and the temple.
Palaces in Bidar
- 11
Rangin Mahal
A small palace inside Bidar Fort known for its tile and mother-of-pearl decoration. Access has varied, so treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to visit.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, when light inside is better and the fort is quiet
- Tickets
- Covered by the fort's entry arrangements, if any. The interior has been reported closed to protect the decoration, so ask the ASI staff on the day.
