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Visit Hyderabad

Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh with beauty, balance and tradition. What leads you to get intimate with the city even more is that in Hyderabad love still lives on. The city still nurtures the love story of a young prince, Muhammad Quli and a village belle, Bhagmati that laid the foundation of the city. Ibrahim Qutub Shah, his father, built a bridge on the river to protect his life. When he ascended the throne, Muhammad Quli built the Charminar at the site of the village. The city was called Bhagnagar (the city of fortune) to appease his beloved, Bhagmati. Later on, it was renamed as Hyderabad. Hyderabad is the city of Nizams known for its bead and pearl work done dexterously.

The construction of the city was completed in 1592. It has a grid plan of two broad intersecting streets with the Charminar as a kind of triumphal arch at the center. It was built under the supervision of the prime minister, Mir Momin, a poet, architect and an aesthete. The French traveler, Tavernier in 1652, compared Hyderabad to Orleans 'well built and opened out' and in 1672, Abbe Carr was much impressed by the city as the trade center of the countries in the East.

Today's Hyderabad city is cosmopolitan, richly endowed with a variety of cultures. The city presents an attractive amalgam of old world charm together with the ebullience of growth and enterprise. While Muslim population is quite rich towards the old part of the city, Secunderabad has got a more contemporary look with a concentration of Anglo-Indians. Beautiful old edifices built in the Medieval, Mughal, Colonial and Indo-Saracenic styles abound, rubbing shoulders with large glass and chrome temples of commerce.

Hyderabad is also known as the second Silicon Valley in India after Bangalore. Hyderabad has a Software Technology Park with leading industries like Intergraph, UUNET, TCS, Wipro, Baan, Satyam, Park International, etc.

Hyderabad - the Pearl City of India - is famous for its minarets and its pearl bazaar. Pearls from all over the world are said to come to Hyderabad because the artisans here are skilled in piercing and stringing pearls. The city's gypsy tribes called 'Lambadas' and 'Banjaras' are known throughout the country for their colorful costumes and Hyderabadi cuisine is much sought after. Hyderabad's 400-year-old culinary history, like its culture, is unmatched by any other state in India. In fact, Hyderabad was known for the spectacular way its aristocracy entertained.

Places to Visit in Hyderabad
Charminar : Built by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, the Charminar is a magnificent square edifice of granite, built upon four grand arches facing north, south, east and west with 56 meters high slender minarets and spiral staircases. These arches support two floors of rooms and a gallery of archways. It is these four (char) minarets (minar) that give the building, its name 'Charminar'. Each minar stand on a lotus-leaf base that is a recurrent motif in Qutub Shahi buildings.

Mecca Masjid : It is a grand mosque of South India. The construction of this masjid was started in 1614 by the 6th Sultan Abdulla Qutb Shah and completed by Aurangzeb. This vast mosque can accommodate 10,000 personnel during prayer time. It was built of enormous black granite slabs. The clay from Mecca mixed with red colour were used for stucco decorations at the entrance of the Masjid.

Golconda : The majestic ruins of Golconda Fort stand as a backdrop to the sprawling city of Hyderabad. Built by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1525, the Golconda Fort epitomises the opulent nawabi culture of the time. A new attraction at the fort is a sound and light show that brings the legend of Golconda to life.

Qutb Shahi Tombs : Bus no 123 and 142 go direct from Charminar to the Qutb Shahi Tombs. It opens at 0900 to 1630. Closed on Friday. Entry fee Rs.2. camera fee Rs.5. The tombs are made of black granite or green stone with a shape of square or octagonal base. Its dome is in onion shape and arches are with fine sculptures. The road from Golconda fort goes to the north has the tomb of Abdullah Qutb Shah (1626 - 1672). The tombs of Abul Hasan Tana Qutb Shahi(1672 - 1687), Princess Hayat Baksh Begum (died on 1677), Muhammad Qutb Shah (1612-1626) and Pemamati, one of the mistresses of Muhammad Qutb Shah are also situated near to the tomb of
Abdullah Qutb Shah. There is a 'Badshahi Hammam' (the 'bath' where the body of the king was washed before burial ) in the compound. A series of major tombs are seen at the south of the Hammam. The tomb belongs to Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (1581-1612), the poet king and founder of Baghnagar (Hyderabad) is the most striking with its 54 meters high mausoleum.

Birla Mandir : This modern enchanting temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, the Birla Mandir stands in all its grandeur on the hilltop of Kalapahad. The intricately carved, tiered tower at the base is typical of the southern Indian shrines while the smooth dome at the top is in the north Indian Rajasthani style. Made of pure white marble from Rajasthan, the Birla Mandir overlooks the serene and placid waters of the Hussain Sagar lake. The Birla Mandir presents a colorful spectacular sight when illuminated at night. The temple is open from 7 a.m. to 12 noon and 3 p.m.to 9 p.m. all days of the week.

Gandipet : It is a beautiful lake located 20 kms west of Hyderabad city. This water body was formed as a result of damming of the river Moosi in 1920 by Mir Osman Ali Khan.. Anyone visiting Gandipet is pleased to see a vast stretch of placid water that shimmer like gold with the rays of the morning sun.

Hussain Sagar Lake : Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. On the banks of the placid waters of the Hussain Sagar a water front or bund was constructed to arrest the flow of water on the other side. A major attraction at the Hussain Sagar is the 16 meter high, 350 tonne monolithic Buddha statue on the Rock of Gibraltar. Hussain Sagar has other attractions for lovers of water sports. The yatching and sailing clubs at the lake are active and the annual regatta draws a good number of sportspersons and lay people alike from all around the country.

Falaknuma Palace : It is believed that the Falaknuma palace was gifted to the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mehboob Ali Khan by the generous Nawab. The palace was constructed over a period of seven years and it covers a total area of 9,39,712 square meters. The Falaknuma palace is a rare blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. The palace is laid out in the shape of a scorpion with two stings spread out as wings on the north.

Birla Science Centre : It is located in the heart of the picturesque city of Hyderabad on the panoramic hillock of Naubat Pahad, surrounded by gardens. The Birla Science Center houses a number of sections such as a Planetarium, a Science Museum, the Center for Applicable Mathematics and Computer Sciences, a Science projects division and so on.

Himayat Sagar : The verdant part by the dam is a ideal picnic spot, while the stretch of road atop the dam is a pleasant drive or walk if it is not too sunny.

Museums
The Salar Jung Museum : One of the largest private collections in the World. Situated at Afzal Ganj, the museum has a collection of more than 43,000 art objects and 50,000 books in the 38 rooms spread over three floors of the building. Open timing:10 to 7pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays. For more details

Health Museum : Exhibits include models, charts, specimens and photographs meant primarily for children. Films are shown on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Open timing:10 to 5pm. Closed Friday and public holidays.

State Archeological Museum : A general collection of sculpture, painting, arms and artifacts from different period, some dating back to the 2nd century BC. Major collections, however are from the Asaf Jahi period. Open: 10.30 to 5pm. Closed Mondays and public holidays.

Parks in Hyderabad
Indira Park : This is the cities most recent park. Several small ponds amid the trees make the park a good spot for in - city picnics. Boating facilities are available.

Lumbini Park : This amusement park at Tank Bund has a musical fountain show at 6.30pm and 8 pm. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm.

Nehru Zoological Park : This extensive park on the Hyderabad - Bangalore highway is one of the largest Zoos in India. There is a Safari Park where visitors can go on a conducted tour in protected vans and see a variety of animals in their natural surroundings. A natural history museum, an aquarium and a children's amusement park are the other attractions of the Zoo. Also of massive models of dinosaur in pre- historic park. Closed on Monday.

Deer Park : Located in Vanasthalipuram, about 15 kilometers from the center of the town, the Deer park is a tourist's attraction. The deer park, has an undulating terrain, of 189 hectares dominated by acacia trees. The park looks picturesque in the monsoon with the golden and white flowers of these trees on the lush green carpet of grass. There is no entry fee. Except on Mondays the park is open every day of the week for visitors from 9.a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public Gardens : The cities largest and oldest park is located in a busy area in Nampally. To the right of the main gate is a small beautifully constructed Mosque, where the seventh Nizam is said to have prayed every Friday. Flanking the mosque are two old buildings now occupied by the Abul Kalam Institute of Oriental Studies. To the left is the Jawahar Bal Bavan, a small auditorium where exhibitions and contest for children are held. Further down the road is a large patch of open lawn. Around this lawn are arranged the Jubilee hall, Jawahar Bal Bavan, Ajanta Pavilion, the India Priyadarshini auditorium, health museum and the State archeological museum. Closed on Fridays.