Journeys across Karnataka: What to see in Bidar district?

Bidar is the northern most district of Karnataka state bordering with Maharastra and Telangana states. The word Bidar to many is synonymous to drought but that is not the case. Bidar is a land of many rivers and a colourful history. Bidar's Kalyana was Chalukyan capital when they rose to power for the second time. Kalyana is where Jagatjyoti Basaveshwara ans Shivasharanas started their social revolution. Bahamani rulers shifted their capital from Gulbarga to Bidar because of better climatic conditions and water sources. Bidar is the land where Guru Nanak performed a miracle. For travelers and tourists, Bidar district offers an array of historical and religious spots.

Chalkuyan temple at Umapur, 108' tall Basaveshwara

Bhatambra fort and Kannada inscription at Chalukyan temple at Jalasnghi

Tombs at Ashtoor, Sikh emblem at Gurudwar

Bidar fort entrance and cannon inside Bidar fort

Lets start with Bidar city and its surroundings and then move on to other taluqs of the district.

Bidar fort; is one of the largest forts in Karnataka; its located on a large laterite bed the edge of the plateau; the fort walls are built of laterite blocks quarried out of the laterite bed; the quarry has formed a moat along the southern perimeter of the fort.
Chaukandi - the amazing white colored octagonal shaped building, tomb of Hadrat Khalimullahullah.
Pari Bowli - an ancient well close to Chaukandi
Bahamani tombs of Ashtur; a necropolis of Bahamani dynasty
Mohamad Gawan Madarsa; the Madrasa of Mahmud Gawan is situated in Bidar City of the northern plateau of Karnataka, India. established it in 1472 CE by Mahmud Gawan, a great warrior and administrator of Bahamani kingdom.
Choubara; a tower at the intersection of two main streets of Bidar
Barid Shahi Tombs - a group of tombs built over the graves of Barid Shahi family members.
Sri Narsimha Jharani - a cave shrine in which water flows our from a natural spring.
Gurudwar Sri Nanak Jhira Sahib - A major Sikh religious center in South India. A natural spring of fresh water has been flowing here since the time Guru Nanak set foot here.
Papanash Shiva temple - one of the most visited Shiva temples of Bidar.
Deva Deva Vana (Botanical Garden): An Eco Tourism center 6 kms from Bidar town on Bidar - Hyderabad Highway. With more than 200 medicinal plants, this garden is believed to be something of a unconventional temple of plants.
Amareshwara temple at Aurad
Shivaji Santaji Samadhi
Chidambara Aashram / Shri Siddharudha Math: was established in the year 1986 by Shri Shivkumar Swamiji. There are 12 Jyothirlingas on both the sides Shri Siddharudha statue. This is temple located at Manahalli Road, Bidar. This is also known as Gumpa.
Basava Kalyana fort and museum
Basaveshwara temple - a temple dedicated to Jagatjyoti Basaveshwara at Basava Kalyana
108 feet statue of Basaveshwara at Basava Kalyana
Sharanara Gavi - man-made cave shrine dedicated to the XII Century Shiva Sharanas.
Narayanpur Shiva temple
Umapur Uma-Maheshwara temple; temple built during Kalyana Chalukya rule
Bhalki fort
Rameshwar Takidee; a hillock about 4 kms from Bhalki has a small fort and a temple dedicated to Ramlingeshwar
Bhatambra fort, about 10 kms west of Bhalki
Jalasanghi Kalmeshwar temple; temple built during Kalyana Chalukya rule
Hanakuni fort; the treasury fort of King Ramachandra's kingdom
Manik Prabhu temple at Humnabad
Veerbhadreshwara temple at Humnabad & Changlare: both temples are ancient, they attract thousands of people during their annual fairs in the months of January and November respectively. The temple at Humnabad was constructed in 1725, it is famous for its moving pillar.
Gurudwara Shri Mai Bhago Sahib, Janwada - this Gurudwara is about 13 kms north of Bidar town.
Karanja Dam and Reservoir