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The most convenient
way to begin your sightseeing is from the Bidar Fort. Five
darwazas (gates) with imposing bastions lead into a little town
nestling within rampats.
Enter from
the Gumbaz Darwaza and steps lead you to the Rangin Mahal. The royal
residence has elaborately carved wooden pillars, Persian couplets
engraved in encaustic titles and exquisite mother o pearl inlay
work.
Near the
palace are the royal kitchens and the royal baths. Further on are
the ladies' apartments with a sixteen
columned prayer hall built in 1432. The Solah Kambah Masjid
as it is popularly know, is the oldest Muslim building in Bidar and
one of the largest in India.
Not to be
missed are 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.
Once the
exhaustive tour of the Fort is complete, move on to the Bahamani
Tombs at Ashtur. The interiors of the tombs are adorned with
well-preserved paintings that are excellent examples of medieval
Muslims art. The outer walls are decorated in title work.
Right in
the heart of Bidar town stands the Chaubara a 71 foot tower. You can
have a splendid view
from the top of the Chaubara.
The Madrasa
of Mahamud Gawan is another important building in Bidar. Architecturally
similar to the Madrassa at Fez, this university was
one a renowned center of learning attracting scholars from all over
the Muslim world.
The rock
temple at Narasimha Zarni is also worth a visit. Situated in a big
cave, the temple is carved into the plateau and to approach the deity, you'll have to wade
though water.
While in
Bidar, don't forget to visit Basavakalyan - 80kms away. Earlier
known as Kalyani, this was the capital of the later Chalukyas in the
10th century. Embracing a large area this ancient town...
"surpassed in beauty and splendour all other cities in the
world." It became famous as a centre of wealth and prosperity
, a seat of learning and
an abode of spiritual wisdom. Even today Basavakalyan is remembered
for the saints who made this City their home - Basaveshwara,
Akka-mahadevi, Channabasavanna and Siddharama.
Temples and
mathas, mosques and durgahs and a Fort constructed by the Chalukyas
of Kalyan beckon the tourist at Basavakalyan.
Languages
Spoken: Kannada.
Hindi. Urdu. English.
When to go
there: The best
time to visit Bidar is between September to February.
How to get
there:
Road :
Bidar is connected by road to most places in south and west India.
Some of
these are :
Hyderabad
(136 kms)
Bangalore(669 kms)
Bijapur
(280 kms).
Basavakalyan(73 kms).
KSRTC Buses
ply from Bidar to Bangalore, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur and Sholapur.
Rail :
Bidar is connected by rail with Bangalore, Bombay
and Hyderabad.
Air : The
nearest airport is Hyderabad (220 kms).
Where to
stay:
Hotel
Mayura Bahmani
Karnataka
State Tourism
Development
Corporation
Public
Gardens. Tel : 08472-20644.
Vidharaja
Lodges
Super
Market. Ph: 08427-21140.
Vaibhava
Lodges
Super
Market. Ph : 08472-20526.
Hotel
Bahamani Mayura.
Ph:
08472-20644
Hotel
Santosh, College Road.
Ph:
08472-22661.
Mohan
Lodge, Station Road.
Ph
: 08472-20294
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