Hyderabad

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Introduction

Charminar Hyderabad

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Hyderabad, capital of the Indian province of Andhra Pradesh, is a bustling city which has sustained its traditional ways. The town is proud of its legacy of more than 400 years which has translated into an array of glorious monuments and evocative museums. Hyderabad, which has earned the epithet of the Istanbul of India, is a place of dualistic character, manifesting both Hindu and Muslim traditons.

Neighbourhoods

Sights and Activities

Golconda Fort: This is one of the most famously known monuments in Hyderabad. It is a majestic monument located on a granite hill 120 metres high. The fort has 8 gates which are called darwazas in local language. The fort was built by Qutub Shahi monarchs who built the fort during the 16th century. Within the fort, there are cannons, chambers and halls, temples, mosques, stables etc. A unique Sound and Light show is held at the fort in the evenings in English and regional languages. The show takes you back in time, when Golconda was all life, glory and buzzing with activity.

Char Minar: Char Minar, another well-known structure in Hyderabad, is an Islamic architectural splendor. Built in 1591, it is a wonderful monument with its four arches which are proportionally planned. The minarets of Char Minar are more than 55 metres high and have double balconies.

Paigah Tombs: These are the tombs of the several generations of the Paigah nobles of Hyderabad. These nobles had close relations with the Nizams, the rulers of Hyderabad, and enjoyed high social status. The tombs are specimen of extraordinary artistry. Geometrical patterns and designs of these tombs are unique.

Salarjung Museum: One of the oldest museums in India, Salarjung Museum holds great collection of rare antiques. The museum has collection of approximate 40,000 items, which have been brought in from every possible place in the world. Portraits of Salar Jung, the Nizam of Hyderabad, are in the Founder's Gallery. Specimen of Indian art are in the form of stone sculptures, wooden carvings, miniature paintings, modern art, ivory carvings, bronze images, painted textiles, jade carvings, metal-ware, manuscripts, arms and armor etc. Carpets, manuscripts, glass, metal-ware, lacquer etc are here as the representative of Middle East art.

Mecca Masjid: One of the largest mosques in India, Mecca Masjid has a capacity to accommodate about 10,000 worshippers. Sultan Muhammad Qutub Shah started the construction of this mosque and the work continued during the reigns of Abdullah Qutub Shah and Abul Hassan Tana Shah and was finally completed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1694.

Hussain Sagar Lake: Constructed during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1562, this huge lake in the centre of the city has become a tourist attraction. Boating facilities are available and dinner cruises are organised by the tourism authorities.

Birla Mandir: A modern temple on the shores of Hussain Sagar Lake, it provides an excellent view over the city from the summit. The magnificent marble structure stands atop a hill and it is believed that the marble used in its construction was brought all the way from Rajasthan.

Further afield

Ramoji film city is a perfect day long excursion from Hyderabad. It has been certified as the largest film studio complex in the world by the Guinness World Records. Shuttle bus services are available from the city centre to the complex and inside the film city complex guided tours are available for various events and shows.

Events and Festivals

Weather

Hyderabad has a tropical climate with hot and humid conditions prevailing for most parts of the year. Fortunately though, there is a dry season from November to May when there is just around 10-25mm of rain a month, against 125-175mm of rain a month between June and September. During the dry season, temperatures are around 30 °C during the day, but rising to an average of 40 °C in May, just before the wet season starts. During the wet season, temperatures are mostly between 30 and 32 °C. Nights range from 15 °C in December and 27 °C in May. The best time to visit the city is from November to February, when the weather is dry and temperates are moderate (around 25 °C).

Getting There

By Plane

Hyderabad International Airport, located around 25 Kms from the city centre, handles both domestic and international flights. Domestic flights are available to all the major cities within the country, while international destinations inculde cities such as Dubai, Sharjah, New York and Chicago. There is a non-stop air-conditioned shuttle bus service available from the airport to the city centre. A dedicated train service is also being constructed, which is expected to be operational in a few years time.

By Train

Hyderabad is a major railway junction and is connected with train services to all the regions of the country. Hyderabad has three main railway stations: Hyderabad (Nampally), Secunderabad and Kachiguda. Tourists are advised to check the station name printed on the ticket to avoid any confusion. Train timings, fare and availability of berths can be checked at the official Indian Railways website.

By Car

Hyderabad can be easily reached from the nearby cities by taxi as the road condition is good. The roads on the Hyderabad-Chennai and Hyderabad-Bangalore are particularly in excellant shape.

By Bus

Hyderabad is well connected by buses with other cities of the state as well as important cities of the neighbouring states. Both luxury and normal buses connect the city to Bangalore, Pune, Chennai, Goa and Mumbai. The government controlled APSRTC has a good network of buses operating in the state. These are safe, relaible and tickets on some routes can even be booked online. Private operators also have a range of services from the city.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Mid-Range

Upscale

Work

Learn

• University of Hyderabad

Keep Connected

Internet

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

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