INTRODUCTION
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Bidar situated in the northern most part of Karnataka is at an altitude of 2,200 feet above sea level on a plateau overlooking the Manjira river valley. During the 15th century Bidar was the capital of the Bahmani rulers. A visit to this historical town will help us in getting to know the historical lineage of Bidar along with the various tourist destinations. Apart from the wonders of tourist interests Bidar also has a pleasant climate throughout the year.
HISTORY
Bidar gained popularity mainly during the rule of Ahmad Shah Bahman (1423-1436 A.D) in 1429 who belonged to the Bahamani dynasty and it was he laid the foundations for the Bidar fort. The beauty and the weather of Bidar made Ahmad Shah Bahman build a new city near the old fortress and also he named it as Ahmadabad-Bidar.The year 1538 witnessed the collapse of the Bahmani dynasty leading to five independent sultanates during which Bidar came under the Barid Shahi dynasty. After a period of time in 1619, Bidar was taken by the Bijapur Sultanate, only to be captured again in 1686 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.The Nizam of Hyderabad's took over Bidar and it was under their control from 1724 to 1948 and it became a part of the erstwhile Hyderabad state till it was portioned in 1956 on linguistic basis. After the partition Bidar became a part of Karnataka.
LOCATION
Bidar is located in the northeastern part of the state of Karnataka, in the southern region of India. It is 669 km from Bangalore and 136 km from Hyderabad. It is located 2,200 feet above sea level on a plateau overlooking the Manjira river valley.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Bidar is between October and March.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Veerabhadreshwara Jatra
This is a local annual fair held in the months of January-February and it goes for a period of seven days. During the Veerabhadreshwara Jatra thousands of devotees throng to Humnabad.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Bidar Fort
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Bidar Fort is located in the heart of the town and was built by 1428 by Ahmed Shah Bahmani. The fort takes up a high ridge of land which is enclosed by double rings of wall with nearly five Darwazas.A part of this castle is partly carved out of bedrock.
The fort houses the ancient city of the Bahamani dynasty along with its palaces, monuments and structures. Of all, the Rangin Mahal palace is a wonderful monument built in the 16th century by Ali Shah Barid.The main attraction of this Rangin Mahal is the wooden columns displaying ornate brackets and beams.
There is also a walled garden, Lal Bagh close to the Rangin Mahal with a central lobe-fringed pool. Adjacent to the Lal Bagh is the Takht Mahal.
Tombs of Bahmani Rulers
The tombs of Bahmani rulers in Ashtur, Bidar were erected from 1436 to 1535. The most attractive one are that of the ninth and tenth Bahmani rulers, Ahmad Shah I and Allauddin Shah II. Where the tomb of the former has dome and goes upto a height of 30m high. The interior of these tombs are done up very well by eye catching colours and paintings.
Tombs of the Barid Shahis
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Among the Barid Shahis, tomb of the Ali Shah Barid was the largest.
This is built within a square shaped garden and is a domed chamber where the tomb is about 25m high.
The panels above these arches have beautifully inlaid mosaic tiles.
But however the tombs of the Bahmani Rulers were much grander than that of the tombs of the Barid Shahis.
Madrassa of Mahmud Gawan
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Madrassa of Mahmud Gawan was once a renowned centre of learning in the stream of Persian, Arabic, philosophy, theology and mathematics.
This centre of Islamic learning was built in 1472 by the then Prime Minister, Khwaja Mohammad Gawan during the period of the Bahamani ruler Muhammad-III.
Now this huge three-storey building accommodates a mosque, a laboratory, lecture halls, quarters for the teaching faculty and a students' hostel.
Chaubara
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Chaubara is an observation post situated in the heart of the town which gives a splendid and a commanding view of the entire city when seen from here.
This tower is cylindrical and it is about 71-feet-tall.
Takhti-i-Kirmani
Takhti-i-Kirmani is an ancient town with a fortification consisting of an embankment, with a parapet built on top. The other main feature of the Takhti-i-Kirmani or the gateway which belongs to the 15th century is ornamented with bands of foliate and arabesque design.
Guru Nank Jhira
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It is a beautiful gurudwara. It is located at the same place where Guru Nanak stayed during his second missionary tour of India.
Meanwhile there was acute shortage of drinking water.
Seeing the misery of people Guru Nanak performed a miracle and created a spring of fresh water from the rocks.
Nobody knows where from the water is coming.
Basavakalyan
Basavakalyan situated at a distance of 80kms from Bidar was once the capital of the Kalyani Chalukyas from 1050 to 1195.It is also noted in the history for it was the birth place of 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara who worked for upliftment of the Poor.
Humnabad
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Humnabad is situated at a distance of about 52kms from Bidar and it is one of the famous pilgrimage destinations for the Hindus.Humnabad houses the famous ancient temple of Lord Veerabhadreshwara.There is a local annual fair held in the months of January-February and it goes for a period of seven days. During the Veerabhadreshwara Jatra thousands of devotees throng to Humnabad.
The Solah Kambah Masjid as it is popularly known, is the oldest Muslim building in Bidar and one of the largest in India. The other places of interest in Bidar includes the Gagan Mahal, the Diwan-E-Am where the fabulous turquoise throne once rested, the takhat Mahal, the Royal Pavilion, the Hazar Kothari and the Naubat Khana.
SHOPPING
Bidar is famous for handicraft and art.Bidar is also very famous for Bidriware which can be easily identified by its blackened surface, on which highly intricate floral and geometric silver inlay work has been done. Here are the names of popular shops in this area
1.Bahmani Bidri Works Showroom
Near Tehsil Office
Bidar
2.Sultan Bidri Works
Kusum Galli, Chaubara road
Bidar
3.Raja Bidri Works
Kusum Galli, Near Govt Junior College
Chaubara Road, Bidar
4.Sandle Wood Craft
T.P office
Bidar
5.Khadi Gramodyog Sangh
General kariyappa circle
Bidar
EAT OUTS
1.Canteen |
Travel Guide
Travel Information
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ACCOMMODATION
1.Kaveri Hotel
Gandhigunj Road, Near Nandi Petrol Bunk, Bidar, Karnataka
08482 227 453
2.HOTEL SAPNA INTERNATIONAL
Udgir Road, SH 4, Bidar, Karnataka 585401
3.Prince Hotel
Bidar, Karnataka
4.Krishna The Residency
Near New Bus Stand, Udigir Road
Bidar
5.Hotel Kaveri
Gandhigunj Road,Near Nandi Petrol Bunk
6.Hotel Ashoka
Near Deepak Cinema
Bidar
7.Hotel Kailassh
Mahipal Singh Pawar Complex, Near Old Bus Stand
Bidar
8.Basavakalyana Tourist Hotel
Bidar
9.Hotel Mayura Barid Shahi
Bidar
GETTING THERE
By Air
Bidar does not have an airport. The nearest airport is in Hyderabad city, which is 136 km east of Bidar.
By Rail
Bidar is connected by rail with Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
By Road
The town is also well connected by road with Hyderabad and Gulbarga (110 km). There are a few buses to Bijapur (246 km) and Bangalore (669 km).