Places to Visit in Bidar: Bahmani Fort, Tombs & 8 Best Sights
Your guide to Bidar tourist places: a Bahmani capital with a vast fort, a Persian-style college, royal tombs and a cave temple with a flowing stream, with timings, itineraries and tips for 2026.
Quick Answer: Best Places to Visit in Bidar
The best places to visit in Bidar are Bidar Fort, the Mahmud Gawan Madrasa, the Bahmani Tombs at Ashtur, the Barid Shahi Tombs, the Narasimha Jhira cave temple and Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib. One day covers them well, and winter is the best time. Bidar is about 140 to 150 km from Hyderabad, which is the nearest major airport.
Timings were cross-checked against Karnataka Tourism and recent travel sources in October 2026. They differ between sources and change, so confirm before you go.
Bidar, in the far north-east of Karnataka, is one of the state’s most underrated heritage towns. It was the capital of the Bahmani sultanate and later of the Barid Shahis, and it is also known for Bidriware metalwork and for two very different cave and shrine experiences. This guide covers Bidar tourist places with timings, how to plan one or two days, the best time to visit, how to reach Bidar from Hyderabad and Bengaluru, what to eat and buy, and nearby places such as Vijayapura and Basavakalyan.
Top Places to Visit in Bidar at a Glance
| Place | Best for | Time needed | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bidar Fort | Bahmani palaces, ramparts | 2 to 3 hrs | About 9 am to 5 pm |
| Mahmud Gawan Madrasa | Persian-style college ruins | 45 min | Daytime |
| Bahmani Tombs, Ashtur | Royal tombs | 1 hr | Daytime |
| Barid Shahi Tombs | Garden tombs | 45 min | About 8 am to 4 pm in one source |
| Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple | Water tunnel temple | 1 hr | Daytime |
| Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib | Sikh shrine | 45 min | Open all day |
| Papnash Shiva Temple | Shiva temple and tank | 45 min | Daytime |
| Bidriware workshops | Metal inlay craft | 1 hr | Shop hours |
Table of contents: click to show or hide
8 Best Places to Visit in Bidar (With Timings and Tips)
Bidar became a Bahmani capital in 1429 under Ahmad Shah I, and most of its monuments date from that and the Barid Shahi period.
1. Bidar Fort
Hours: about 9 am to 5 pm | Entry: reported free in one source, check locally | Time needed: 2 to 3 hrs
Bidar Fort was strengthened by Ahmad Shah Wali Bahmani on the site of an older fort and stands on a high bluff. Its walls run about 10 km with bastions and towers, there are seven entrances and more than 30 Islamic monuments inside, and the Rangeen Mahal, built in 1487, is known for its tilework, tanks and underground rooms.
Plan it: Start early, wear comfortable shoes and carry water. It is large and has little shade.
2. Mahmud Gawan Madrasa
Location: between Bidar Fort and Chaubara | Distance: about 2 km from the station | Time needed: 45 min
Built in the 1460s and 1470s by the Persian-born minister Mahmud Gawan, the three-storey madrasa had a mosque, lecture halls, a library and student cells, and its walls still show tilework and Quranic verses. Damage came from a gunpowder explosion in 1695.
Plan it: Pair it with Chaubara and the fort on the same morning.
3. Bahmani Tombs at Ashtur
Distance: about 5 km from the station | Hours: daytime | Time needed: about 1 hr
A cluster of tombs of Bahmani sultans in Ashtur village, with large domes and faded tile paintings, including the tomb of Ahmad Shah al-Wali.
Plan it: Go in the late afternoon for soft light, and confirm opening hours, which can change on special days.
4. Barid Shahi Tombs
Distance: about 3 km from the station | Hours: about 8 am to 4 pm in one source | Time needed: 45 min
The tombs of the Barid Shahi rulers sit in a garden near the old town, and the finest is said to be that of Qasim Barid.
Plan it: Check closing time, since it may be earlier than the fort.
5. Narasimha Jhira Cave Temple
Distance: about 5 km from the station | Hours: daytime | Time needed: about 1 hr
A cave shrine to Narasimha reached by a tunnel of about 300 m under the Manichoola hills, with water flowing through it, and visitors wade through knee-deep water to reach the deity.
Plan it: Wear clothes you do not mind getting wet, carry a small torch and avoid it after heavy rain.
6. Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib
Hours: open all day | Distance: about 2.5 km from the station | Time needed: 45 min
A major Sikh shrine associated with Guru Nanak, with a Darbar Sahib, Diwan Hall and a langar hall that serves free meals.
Plan it: Cover your head, remove footwear and follow gurudwara etiquette.
7. Papnash Shiva Temple
Hours: daytime | Time needed: about 45 min
A Shiva temple complex with a pond and smaller shrines, popular as a calm stop on the outskirts.
Plan it: Dress modestly and check temple hours locally.
8. Bidriware Workshops
Hours: shop hours | Time needed: about 1 hr
Bidar is known for Bidriware, a metal craft in which silver is inlaid into blackened alloy, and workshops show how pieces are cast, engraved and finished.
Plan it: Buy from established shops, ask about the metal and expect to pay for genuine inlay work.
Bidar Tourist Places by Interest
- History and architecture: Bidar Fort, Rangeen Mahal, Mahmud Gawan Madrasa, Chaubara and the Bahmani and Barid Shahi tombs. Local guides also mention the Solah Khamba mosque and Jama Masjid, so ask about them when you visit.
- Pilgrimage: Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, Narasimha Jhira cave temple and Papnash Shiva Temple.
- Craft and shopping: Bidriware workshops in the old town.
- Families: The fort grounds and the langar at the gurudwara. The cave temple involves wading through water, so it suits older children and adults.
- Photography: The tilework at the Madrasa and the Rangeen Mahal, and the dome silhouettes at Ashtur in the late afternoon.
Things to Do in Bidar: 1 and 2 Day Itineraries
Bidar suits a single long day, or an easy two-day stay.
- 9:00 am: Bidar Fort and the Rangeen Mahal.
- 12:00 pm: Mahmud Gawan Madrasa.
- 1:00 pm: Lunch and a Bidriware stop.
- 3:00 pm: Narasimha Jhira cave temple.
- 4:30 pm: Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib.
Day 1: The one-day plan.
Day 2: The Bahmani Tombs at Ashtur, the Barid Shahi Tombs and Papnash Shiva Temple.
Best Time to Visit Bidar
Winter, from about November to February, is the best time to visit Bidar. Summers are hot, and the monsoon is milder with fewer visitors.
- March to May (summer): Very hot. Visit the fort in the early morning only.
- June to September (monsoon): Greener and cooler, with fewer crowds, but avoid the Narasimha Jhira cave after heavy rain.
- November to February (winter): The most comfortable months for the fort, tombs and cave temple.
What to Eat and Buy in Bidar
Bidar sits on the Karnataka, Telangana and Maharashtra borders, so food mixes jowar rotis, Deccani biryani and kebabs with Kannada thalis. For souvenirs, Bidriware is the thing to buy. Prices and hours change, so check before you go.
Where to Stay in Bidar
Bidar town has budget and mid-range hotels. Many visitors base themselves in Hyderabad and do Bidar as a day trip, which is a long day of about three hours each way.
How to Reach Bidar and Get Around
- By air: Hyderabad is the nearest major airport, about 136 to 149 km away.
- By rail: Direct trains run to Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai.
- By road: Hyderabad is about 140 km and 3 hours away, and buses also run to Bengaluru, Basavakalyan and Vijayapura.
Getting around: Hire an auto or taxi, as sights are spread out. See our Bengaluru guide for the capital end of the journey.
Practical Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Start early. The fort is large and has little shade.
- Check closing times for each monument, since they differ.
- Cover your head at the gurudwara and dress modestly at religious sites.
- Be careful in the cave temple, where the water is knee-deep and the floor is slippery.
- Buy Bidriware from known shops.
- Do not plan Bidar as a quick stop on the way to Bengaluru. It is far from the main highways.
Places Near Bidar: Nearby Trips and Onward Journeys
- Vijayapura: the Adil Shahi city of domes.
- Bagalkot: Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole.
- Belagavi: forts and waterfalls.
- Raichur: fort, Maski and Mudgal in the north-east.
Bidar Travel FAQs
What are the best places to visit in Bidar?
Bidar Fort, the Mahmud Gawan Madrasa, the Bahmani Tombs, the Barid Shahi Tombs, the Narasimha Jhira cave temple and Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib.
What are the Bidar Fort timings?
Typically about 9 am to 5 pm. Confirm entry rules locally, because one older source lists entry as free.
Who built Bidar Fort?
Ahmad Shah Wali Bahmani strengthened it on the site of an older fort after making Bidar his capital in 1429.
How far is Bidar from Hyderabad?
About 140 to 150 km, roughly three hours by road.
What is Narasimha Jhira?
A cave temple to Narasimha reached by a tunnel of about 300 m with flowing water.
What is Bidriware?
A metal craft in which silver is inlaid into blackened alloy, and Bidar’s best-known souvenir.
What is the best time to visit Bidar?
Winter, from about November to February.
Can I do Bidar as a day trip from Hyderabad?
Yes, but it is a long day. Many tours leave Hyderabad at about 8 am and return in the evening.
How many days do I need?
One long day covers the main sights, and two days give a relaxed pace.
How far is Bidar from Bengaluru?
It is a long overnight journey. See our guide to places to visit in Bangalore.
What is Bidar famous for?
Bidar is famous for its Bahmani fort and monuments, for Bidriware metalwork, and for Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib and the Narasimha Jhira cave temple.
Is Bidar worth visiting?
Yes, if you like history and architecture. It is far less crowded than Hampi or Badami, and one day covers the highlights.
Which Bidar tourist places are good for families?
The fort grounds, the Gurudwara and its langar, and the Bahmani tombs suit families. The cave temple involves wading through water, so take care with small children.
Are there good places near Bidar?
Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Raichur are the usual onward stops. See our guides to Vijayapura and Bagalkot.
Plan Your Bidar Trip
Start early, take water and save the cave temple for the afternoon. Continue with these guides.