It has many nick names, City of Pearls, City of Nizams, or simply call it 'Hyderabad'. The capital city of the newly formed State, Telagana. A truly, peace loving and polite peoples city. You stop to ask a location or bargain while shopping, the hyderabadi's never loose their kewl. In times when your struggling, a true 'Mia' as they refer to each other, will turn around and can say, 'Khoon kyun jalatein miya," (literal translation would be 'Why are you shooting up your blood pressure for a small thing).
Few facts, that one should know about Hyderabad, is that the old city is crowded, but epicenter for shopping. The old city charm and mannerism, is unique, do not get intimidated by the crowd, everyone is welcoming there. Eat, as much as you wish, in places that have simple to no ambiance, but best of food.
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| Charminar |
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| Arch and inscription inside the Charminar |
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| Carvings on the Charminar |
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| view of the city from atop Charminar |
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| View of the Mecca Masjid from the Charminar |
Do, buy lot of pearl jewelry, glass bangles, drink a lot of irani chai, along with osmania biscuits. A day for women shoppers, may feel less. If you get tired, then across the Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, where you go inside and sit in its huge lawn, with a soothing voice of the Azaa (call for prayers), it does help relax. Appreciate the architecture there.
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| Sun Setting on the Mecca Masjid |
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| Mecca Masjid |
Few blocks down from the masjid is the Chowmahalla palace, which is now the Nizam's museum, experience, the ways Royalty lived, but the place is open only till 5.30 pm, so do reach in time. After, completing sight seeing and shopping, eating has to be high on priority when in the old City. Must visit on either side of the Charminar, across the Arch (entry gates of the old city or Kamaan in local lingo) are renowned eating places. On the pearl market side, is the famous 'Shaadab', while few blocks away from Mecca Masjid, is Shah House. Hyderabadi dum biryani, one is enough for two to three people, and local delicacy like the Nihari and Shirmal (bread) are famous.
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| Empty bowl of Nihari |
Next day, if recovered from the overindulgence of food and the shopping, then aim to get to Golconda fort. On the way, see the Hussein Sagar lake, which was built as a reservoir to store and supply water to the Golconda city. Many may suggest visit the Qutub Shahi tombs first and then go to the fort. I recommend do it reverse. The tombs are so peaceful that sitting there enjoying a sandwich and Irani chai, is really soothing.
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| steps of the Golconda fort |
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| One of the vantage points in the Golconda Fort |
The tombs and the fort will consume, entire day. So plan well, to ensure, you don't miss on any corner of the tombs or the fort. do try inside the tombs to whisper in the corner walls, the sound echos from the pillars and can be heard, clearly on the opposite corner.
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| Golconda Fort |
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| View of Hyderbad city from Golconda Fort |
For dinner, try Andhra cuisine. Several places, are there in Jubilee Hills, but Ulavacharu, which has a tag line 'Originally Original Cuisine', is a nice fine dinning restaurant. Food will be spicy but it is must have, especially the bamboo chicken. If, your veg then try Papu Anam (daal-rice), or else go for various non veg curries and rice preparations. After, meal having a falooda or paan is a tradition, which has never been broken till now in Hyderbad. So indulge in Meenakshi paan or falooda, which are easily available in all areas.
When in hyderabad, a visit to the Salar Jung Museum, cannot be excused. It has a great collection from across dynasties and era's from the globe. One of the major attraction is the 'Veiled rebbeca', a beautiful and one in the world marble, structure, which the Nizam bought from Italy. I feel the statue has to be given more importance by the authorities. There is also a over 400 year old clock where the blacksmith is at work, depicting the seconds and every hour a man peeps out to ring its tong, declaring the hour. The museum, is so large that it cannot be seen properly in one day. But do not miss it.
Few facts, that one should know about Hyderabad, is that the old city is crowded, but epicenter for shopping. The old city charm and mannerism, is unique, do not get intimidated by the crowd, everyone is welcoming there. Eat, as much as you wish, in places that have simple to no ambiance, but best of food.
