Before you go
Bidar with elderly parents: what to know
- Hire a car and driver for the whole day so you have somewhere to rest between sights; the fort and tombs are spread out.
- Start at opening time and rest after lunch; April to June afternoons are very hot and the fort has little shade.
- The fort, madrasa and Barid Shahi tombs are mostly level; the Chaubara climb, the Chaukhandi steps and the Narasimha Jharni cave are not suited to everyone.
- Carry water and a hat, and wear shoes with grip for rubble and uneven stone.
- Dress modestly for the shrines; cover your head at the gurdwara and be ready to remove shoes.
Easiest first
Places in Bidar sorted by walking effort
Easy on the legs (7)
- Bahmani Tombs at Ashtur (Places to visit · 1–1.5 hours) — The main tombs sit on mostly level ground with short walks between them. The Chaukhandi, about a kilometre west of the main group, involves several flights of steps and is better skipped by anyone with knee trouble.
- Barid Shahi Tombs (Places to visit · 45–60 minutes) — Paths are level in a park setting with some shade from trees, and tombs can be viewed from near the paths. There is not much seating, so carry water.
- Bidriware craft (Shopping · 1–2 hours including a workshop visit) — Shops and workshops are mostly at ground level, though lanes can be narrow and crowded. A seat is normally offered at the counter, and you can ask for items to be brought out.
- Mahmud Gawan Madrasa (Places to visit · 30–45 minutes) — The courtyard is level and open, with little shade or seating. There are steps and uneven stone in the ruined sections, so older visitors may prefer to stay at ground level.
- Naubad Karez (Culture and craft · 30–45 minutes) — The site is an open village setting with short, uneven paths and little seating. Wear sturdy shoes and expect no shade.
- Rangin Mahal (Places to visit · 20–30 minutes) — It sits near the fort entrance on level ground, so the walk is short. Inside, rooms are small, with a step or two at doorways, and there is little seating.
- Solah Khamba Mosque (Places to visit · 30–45 minutes) — The ground is level and the arcade is shaded. Getting there means a walk through the fort, so older travellers may prefer to be dropped close by; there are few seats.
Some walking — plan a break (4)
- Bidar Fort (Places to visit · 2–3 hours for the main sights; a half day with the ramparts) — Paths inside are broad and mostly level, but the complex is spread out with little shade or seating, and some gate approaches and ruined rooms have steps and rubble. A car that can drop you at the inner gates and wait makes it manageable for older visitors.
- Chaubara (Places to visit · 20–40 minutes including the climb) — Seeing the tower from the street is easy. The climb is a winding staircase of about 80 steps with narrow, uneven treads and no seating, so it suits only confident walkers.
- Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib (Places of worship · 1–1.5 hours) — The complex sits in a valley below the city, so there is a descent by steps or ramp, and floors are marble and barefoot. Seating in the langar hall and the diwan hall helps, but queues build on festival days.
- Papnash Shiva Temple (Places of worship · 45–60 minutes) — There are steps down to the shrine and tank, with a few places to sit. Crowds on festival days make it harder for older visitors.
Lots of walking or steps — choose carefully (1)
- Narasimha Jharni Cave Temple (Places of worship · 1–1.5 hours including queues) — The route is a narrow tunnel of about 300 metres with water reportedly 4 to 5 feet deep, slippery floors and low light. Not recommended for most older visitors or anyone with balance or breathing problems.
Base yourself well
Where to stay in Bidar with parents
Near the old city and fortBest for: Travellers who want to walk to the madrasa, Chaubara and fort
Udgir RoadBest for: Visitors who want easy access to the Barid Shahi tombs and a roomier setting
Small decisions
Practical tips for Bidar
- Heat. April to June is very hot, with highs near 38 to 39 degrees. Plan sightseeing for the first hours after opening and the late afternoon, and rest in between.
- Monsoon. June to October brings heavy rain, with August the wettest month. Ruins and tomb paths can be slippery, so wear shoes with grip.
- Getting around. A hired car and driver is the easiest way to reach the fort, Ashtur, Udgir Road tombs and the temples. Agree the day's route and rate in advance.
- Walking and steps. The fort and madrasa involve longer walks on uneven ground. The Chaubara has about 80 narrow steps, and the Chaukhandi at Ashtur is reached by stairs.
- Dress and shrines. Cover shoulders and knees at tombs and shrines. At the gurdwara cover your head and remove shoes, and expect to remove shoes at temples.
- Opening hours and fees. Published timings and fees for monuments vary between sources. Fort hours are commonly given as about 9 am to 5 pm; confirm at the gate.
- Money. Carry cash for small entry fees, craft shops and donations, as card acceptance can be patchy outside hotels.
- Photography. Still photography is generally fine at the monuments, but rules vary inside shrines and at the tombs, so ask before using a camera.
Plan the rest of your Bidar trip
Want help?
Have Bidar planned around your parents
We build the route at their pace, book the stays, and can add a companion on the ground.