Temples in Bidar District: Explore Sacred Sites & Heritage

Temples in Bidar District range from the subterranean Jharni Narasimha (Narasimha Jharni Cave Temple) and river-facing Papnash Shiva to Basavakalyan’s Basaveshwara legacy, Humnabad’s Veerabhadreshwara, and Manik Prabhu Samsthan. This hub offers crisp history, pooja highlights, and practical planning for town-and-village circuits. Aim for cool mornings/evenings, carry water in summer, follow modest dress and quiet sanctum etiquette, and pair headline shrines with peaceful countryside stops for an unhurried devotional route.

Famous Temples in Bidar — Quick Picks

Start your Bidar circuit with these well-known shrines. Each card lists the deity, area, and what makes it special—kept simple for mobile readers.

Jharni Narasimha (Narasimha Jharni Cave Temple)

📍 Bidar • 🛕 Lord Narasimha


Unique cave shrine where devotees wade through spring water for darshan; powerful vow traditions.

Tip: Carry a small towel and mind footing on wet stone.

Papnash Shiva Temple

📍 Bidar outskirts • 🛕 Lord Shiva (Papnash)


Riverside ambience with a serene kalyani; popular for family pujas and quiet evening visits.

Tip: Sunset light is beautiful across the steps and tank.

Basavakalyan Basaveshwara

📍 Basavakalyan • 🛕 Basaveshwara legacy (Lingayat)


Center of Basavanna’s reformist tradition; temples and spiritual centers around the historic town core.

Tip: Pair with a short heritage walk in the old quarters.

Humnabad Veerabhadreshwara Temple

📍 Humnabad • 🛕 Lord Veerabhadreshwara


Major regional shrine with festive jatres and spacious courtyards for unhurried darshan.

Tip: Festival days draw large crowds—arrive early morning.

Manik Prabhu Samsthan (Maniknagar)

📍 Humnabad taluk • 🛕 Datta tradition (Manik Prabhu)


Spiritual center associated with Sri Manik Prabhu Maharaj; calm atmosphere and regular bhajans.

Tip: Check aarti hours to align with devotional music.

Countryside Shiva & Hanuman Shrines (Cluster)

📍 Bhalki / Hallikhed (B) region • 🛕 Local village temples


Smaller stone-and-brick temples across taluks offer peaceful darshan and village-fair vibes.

Tip: Carry cash for prasada counters; dress modestly in village sanctums.

How to Reach Bidar for Temple Visits

Plan your Bidar circuit—Jharni Narasimha, Papnash Shiva, Basavakalyan Basaveshwara, Humnabad Veerabhadreshwara, and Manik Prabhu Samsthan. Times are indicative; recheck current rail/bus schedules and road conditions (summer heat/monsoon showers affect pace).

🛤️ Rail 🚌 Bus ✈️ Flight 🚗 Drive

From Bengaluru → Bidar

Long-haul north via Kalaburagi/Wadi belt


🛤️ Rail: ~12–15 hrs (via Wadi/Kalaburagi corridors)
🚌 Bus: ~12–14 hrs (overnight KSRTC options)
✈️ Flight: To Hyderabad (major hub) + ~3–4.5 hrs by road
🚗 Drive: ~12–14 hrs depending on route & traffic

Tip: Break at Kalaburagi/Humnabad if driving in summer.

From Hyderabad/Secunderabad → Bidar

Cross-state approach on the Secunderabad–Wadi axis


🛤️ Rail: ~3–5 hrs (several services; check day wise)
🚌 Bus: ~3–5 hrs (TSRTC/KSRTC frequent)
✈️ Flight: Land at HYD, then road/rail to Bidar
🚗 Drive: ~3–4.5 hrs

Tip: Early morning start helps at Jharni Narasimha cave temple.

From Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) → Bidar

Regional link on NH/SH corridors


🛤️ Rail: ~2–3.5 hrs
🚌 Bus: ~2–3.5 hrs (frequent)
🚗 Drive: ~2–3 hrs

Tip: Easy day trip; add Humnabad & Maniknagar loop.

From Maharashtra (Pune, Aurangabad, Nanded) → Bidar

Approach via Solapur/Latur–Udgir–Humnabad corridors


🛤️ Rail: ~5–10 hrs (via regional junctions)
🚌 Bus: ~5–10 hrs (MSRTC/KSRTC)
🚗 Drive: ~4–9 hrs + breaks

Note: Facilities can be spaced—carry water & cash.

From North/Central Karnataka (Vijayapura, Yadgir, Raichur)

State highways into Bidar & Basavakalyan/Humnabad taluks


🚌 Bus: ~3–7 hrs (origin dependent)
🛤️ Rail: ~3–7 hrs via Wadi/Kalaburagi
🚗 Drive: ~3–7 hrs

Tip: Start early to cover two shrine clusters in a day.

Key Drop Points

Choose based on your temple circuit


✈️ Airports: Hyderabad (major hub); Kalaburagi (regional, limited)
🛤️ Stations: Bidar Jn, Humnabad, Bhalki, Basavakalyan Rd
🚌 Bus Stands: Bidar KSRTC, Humnabad, Basavakalyan

Pick the nearest drop to reduce local travel time across taluks.

⏱️ Times are indicative for planning. Recheck live schedules and any ghat/road advisories—heat and sudden showers can affect travel pace.

Temples in Bidar District offer a distinctive mix of devotion and atmosphere—water-wading darshan at Jharni Narasimha, calm riverfront prayers at Papnash Shiva, Basavakalyan’s Basaveshwara legacy, Humnabad’s Veerabhadreshwara crowds on festival days, and the serene bhajans at Manik Prabhu Samsthan. Plan visits for cool mornings/evenings, carry a small towel for cave-temple steps, keep water handy in summer, and follow modest dress with quiet sanctum etiquette. Base yourself at Bidar town (with loops to Basavakalyan/Humnabad) and pair headline shrines with peaceful village temples for an unhurried, devotional circuit.