Named
afte Hyder Mahal, wife of monarch Mohammed Qutub Shah, founder of Hyderabad,
the twin city of Hyderabad is dotted with Iron age Megalithic burials dating
to first millenium BC. The city is located on the bank of Mussi River, in
the heart of Deccan Plateau, at a height of 17,66 ft above sea level,
seperated by Hussian Sagar Lake. Hyderabad has a shining history of pearls
and Nizaams entombed in their palaces and their famous love stories. Bygones
are bygones, today Hyderabad is beaming with young cosmo crowd involved into
a tech talk carving the future of Hyderabad 's new avatar 'Cyberabad'. The
vivacious city of India that brings itself a row of software buildings
followed by pubs and it takes you 3 days see the city through the magnifying
glass.
Tourist Attractions in Hyderabad
Golconda Fort
The enchanting Golconda is 11kms towards the west of the City Center, is
rated as one of the best forts in India. It was originally a mud fort buikt
by Kakatiyas and reinforced by Mughals during 16th and 17th century. The
ruthless sacking that followed destroyed most of the citadels, but the ruins
that survive to this day fire one's imagination to this day.
Salar Jung Museum
As you cross the ditch, which was once the Musi you are in the heart of old
city. Ignore the traffic and stand on the bridge for few minutes to admire
the stunning panorama. Located next to the river Musi it is one amazing
Museum as it houses one of the largest collection put together by an
indivisual. The best example is paintings, miniatures, furnitures and
sculptures procured from far east. The highlights of the museum include
collection of Deccan minaiture, paintings, a copy of fabled viled Rebecca
marble statue, an intriguing cuckoo clock and carvings of Mephistophellis
and Margerreta chislled in single block.
Purani Haveli
To the south of Salar Jung Museum, you will find the Purani Haveli or the
old mansion built by sixth and very popular Nizaam of Hyderabad. The nizaam
had built himself a big and worlds largest potrait. A section of purani
haveli serves as educational institution too.
Charminar
Further south of Purani haveli is the Charminar far more stunning than the
sketches on the popular brand of cigarettes name after this unique monument,
also Hyderabad's famous export. Built by Mohammed Qutub Shah in 1951, it is
an imposing structure with four tapering minarets towering 20 m above the
roof tops joined by four chakraman or arches that enclosed the royal piazza,
which today houses rows and row of shops. The structure is embellished with
stucco decoration typical of the Mughal Style. Spiral staircase in the four
minarets lead to the mosque on second floor and a Madarassa on the first
floor.
Mecca Masjid
To the southwest of Charminar is the Mecca Masjid built by Sultan Mohammed
Qutub Shah. Some 8000 workers worked on this mosque which was modelled on
Mecca. It's name comes from the belief that some bricks in the central arch
were made using earth brought from Mecca. Besides all these monuments one
can find Chowmohalla Palace and Falaknuma Palace, by far the grandest of
Hyderabad's palaces.
Paigah Tomb
Having
relived of Falaknuma, the Paigah marvel the paigah built a modest but
interesting complex of Begumpet, the city center, they constructed two
mosques, the larger of which is a unique example of moorish architecture.
Eight generations of Paigah Tombs, which once spread over 14 acres, is in
the control of the family now.
Hussain Sagar Lake
Close to Begumpet is the Hussain Sagar Lake or Tankbund. Hyderabad's
equivalent of Mumbai 's Marine Drive, people flock in the evening for a walk
or to just shoot the breeze. Today the biggest tourist attraction is a 17.5
m-high Buddha stone statue in the middle of the lake.
Shopping In Hyderabad
Hyderabad has quaint names of its markets. Take this one like Begum Bazaar,
Laad Bazaar, a gali near the Charminar. The bazaar is famous for colourful
bangles made of lac, glass and metal. Pattargati still boasts of the best
names in the market but many have branches in new parts of the town.
Kedarnathji Motiwale, Mangatrai and Jagdamba are amongst the oldest pearl
dealers in town. The best place to shop for saris is around Abids, where
stiff competition keep prices down. In the old city you might come down to
bidris craftsmen.
Eating Out In Hyderabad
Birayanis are synonymous with Hyderabad but the subtelities of its cuisines
go far beyond the biryanis as it imbibes the Mughlai cuisine of North with
Zesty suace and spices of the south. Haleem, dum ka murg, mirchi ka salan,
bagharay baigan and pathar ka gosht are some obvious Hyderabadi favourites.
Mostof the restaurants of the old city such as Madina and Shadab in Madina
Circle, Cafe` Bahar in Himayatnagar, and clutch of eateries around the
Nampally Railway Station have reasonably exentensive menus. Lucky hotel at
Lakdi Ka Pul has mouthwatering biryanis. For street food has dhaba options
try around the busy Pnajagutta crossing. For authentic Hyderabadi cuisines
step into Hyderaabad House. As the capital of Andhara Pradesh,l hot and
spicy Andhar Food is available in the city at Rajdoot. Hyderabad is also
famous for irani chai, and several joints claim to sell loads every day.
How to reach Hyderabad
Degrees of hotness and coldness do have greater meanings which is why it is
better to visit it during cold months when it's easy to succumb to Iraani
chai and mirchi bhaaji. Well, to enter the city there are more than one ways
and the choice is yours. NT Rama Rao Airport is within the city connecting
the city nationally and internationally. On the rail routes, the city is
preferably well accessed from Secunderabad than Hyderabad. You can find
Hyderrabad on NH7 from Bangalore and NH9 with Pune. The city is a delight
accomodation wise as it has suitable setllements for the bussuiness class to
budget class. With so much so to see and do get ready to explore the base.
Hotels in Hyderabad
Both tourists and business travellers can find a number of hotels in
Hyderabad to choose from. Whether you talk of deluxe hotels in Hyderabad,
budget hotels in Hyderabad or economy hotels in Hyderabad, you'll always
have an array of quality hotels to make your choice from. Some of the very
famous accommodation options in Hyderabad are as follows.
» Hotel Taj Banjara
» Hotel Kakatiya Sheraton
» Hotel Taj Residency
» Hotel the Manohar
» Hotel Taj Krishna
» Hotel Amrutha Castle
