The Bidar Fort

RIDE TO BIDAR FORT

 

 The passion for trekking and exploring forts developed during my childhood when my father took my elder brother and I to Koilkonda Fort, in Mahbubnagar district of Telangana, India. Perhaps, I will create another post on Koilkonda fort soon. If anyone asks me, what triggered my interest exploring ancient forts? I can firmly say that it's the desolation, the state of it's complete emptiness. The emptiness rich in history. A place once prospered and was a crown proclaiming the grand works of past rulers, but now deteriorating. Also, trekking and exploring forts is one of the best ways to beat stress. 

Route to Bidar Fort

Bidar fort is located in North-Eastern part of Karnataka state, India and about 150 Kms from Hyderabad. While there are many trains to Bidar from Hyderabad and Secunderabad, I preferred to travel by road on my Motorbike, Xpulse 200. I chose  NH 65 which starts at Pune and ends at Machilipatnam but the stretch I was travelling was from Hyderabad-Zaheerabad and detour at Zaheerabad and travelled on Zaheerabad-Bidar road to reach my destination. There are rest areas and many restaurants along the way so the struggle finding food will be less.

The journey was exciting through plain land, vast land with red soil top, and by few water bodies. The road to Bidar fort, maintained by the state, was not in good shape but it was fun riding on a road rugged road.

The Bidar Fort

The moment I entered into the Bidar city, I saw the fort main bastion which looked to be in good shape but with few cracks. I followed google maps and passed by the Dulhan Darwaza and then got on to the main fort road and finally reached the fort.

To visually see my journey, and to know history and parts of the fort, please click the image below

Historical Bidar Fort

The Medak Fort

 THE HISTORICAL MEDAK FORT

If you are reading this blog, it means you are planning or may have planned to visit Medak Fort and this blog is definitely going to help you. I have been to this fort in the month of February 2022, during the fall, a transitioning phase into summer through winter. Perhaps, you must be thinking what my profession is? I am not a reporter, nor a documentarian. I am an average person who work for 40 hours a week, may be more, to make living. 40 hours a week sounds normal, but I am sure you would agree that stress factor makes it daunting.  I soon started to look for available options to alleviate the stress. Upon doing some research, I figured that exposure to a single segment, in a day, will soon become monotonous so I decided to tour, trek and explore during weekends and capture my all my expeditions so I started my YouTube channel "Vish The Weekender". More about me on my YouTube channel.

Route to Medak Fort

Planning is crucial before visiting any place so I well plan ahead of time, be it choosing convenient and scenic route, restaurant, stay, and so. I chose the fastest route this time, Hyderabad-Bodhan NH44/NH65, as I was travelling on my adventure motorbike, Xpulse 200. Initially I had to deal with unforgiving city traffic but I considered it worthy because of the upcoming Narsapur forest and the twists and turns of the forest road spiced it up even more. It was exciting to ride through the forest as the trees were shedding leaves. I was kindled with the real forest feel after spotting the red butt monkeys by the road. As the day progressed, sun was climbing high but raising and falling climate numbers couldn't hold me back as I advanced in my journey.

If you wish to use public transport, please visit Telangana State Road Transport Corporation site to chose your boarding point.

Narsapur Lake

Since I was travelling on my motorbike, I had freedom to make stops. Upon reaching the Narsapur lake the breeze and joyfully chirping birds welcomed and made my day. I spent significant amount of time at the lake watching still and calm water as nothing hurried it. The birds were at rest after morning exertion and forage. Many damselflies were hovering over the water to reduce their body temperature and the sun was warming up the water but the lingering fish didn't seem to worry about it. The noon at the lake was amazing.

Where to eat?

I got back on the road as I had limited time since it was a one day trip. I reached Medak and was 3.4 Kms away from the fort and was hungry. Before entering Medak town, I spotted Aahaar Family Restaurant. The restaurant was neat and suitable for families with A/c section. Considering the heat and tedious trek ahead, I ordered curd rice and glass of foamy buttermilk with a little chat masala in it. Satisfying the hunger and after a little rest I reached the fort.

The Fort

Navigating through narrow streets of Medak town, I reached fort approach road which the Telangana Tourism developed and that reduced one third of the trek but it didn't ruin the fun. The moment I started the trek, I saw a restaurant put up by Telangana tourism and they were selling ice cream along with other delicious items so I felt like I found water in a desert.

If you want to know more about the fort and see it, I am leaving the link to the video I made feel free to click the image below.

Exploring the historical Medak fort