Monday, October 10, 2011

Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Tomb of Qutb Shahi Sultan
If you happen to plan any travel during the holy month of Ramzan, Hyderabad is the place to be. Also while you are there, don’t forget to savor its signature dish, the haleem. One can find literally hundreds of haleem outlets in the old city of Hyderabad including the famous Pista House http://www.pistahouse.in

Charminar
Here is a little help if you are planning your weekend in the old city: On day one, visit the cultural symbol of Hyderabad - the famous Charminar, shop around crowded bazaar around the Charminar and have a delightful haleem at a place like Pista House.

Remember, it is not easy to reach or move around in this part of old city during Ramazan, given the bumper-to-bumper evening traffic in the area, but it is worth a trip.


If you still have the energy left in you, drive to Lumbini Park adjacent to Hussain Sagar Lake and enjoy a Laser show at 7 P.M, followed by the boat ride to the famous Buddha statue, which is in the middle of Hussain Sagar Lake.



Crowded road which lead visitors to Charminar
(Don't ask me where the road is!!)
On the second day, visit the Golconda fort in the morning, which is about an hour drive from the city  (approximately 10 Kilometers) and the tombs of seven Qutb Shahi sultans which lies about one kilometer from the Golkonda fort.

Buddha statue @ Hussain Sagar Lake
Even if you are young and energetic, am sure a two hour trek in the Golkonda fort would make you to plan an attack on the nearby kitchen. But the best way to satisfy yourself is to drive back to the city and visit the Pradise Restaurant at Paradise Circle, M.G. Road, for the world famous Hyderabadi Biryani followed by traditional desserts like Qubani ka meetha - Apricot Pudding or Double ka meetha - Bread Pudding topped with dry fruits or Faluda, a cold and sweet beverage. Another option would be the Kamat Hotel, for the best South Indian vegetarian food. Kamat Hotel is near Ravindra Bharathi and opposite to Birla Temple.

After lunch, a visit to Salarjung Museum is recommended, which is one of the best known Art Museums of the world (http://www.salarjungmuseum.in). Highlights are the Double Statue (http://www.salarjungmuseum.in/images/double_statue.jpg), the Musical Clock - every hour, a timekeeper emerges from the upper deck of the clock to strike a gong as many times as it is the hours of the day and the amazing marble sculpture, Veiled Rebecca chiseled by an Italian sculptor Giovanni Battista Benzoni. (http://www.salarjungmuseum.in/images/statuebig.jpg

Golconda Fort
Tomb of Qutb Shahi Sultan
Other Tourist Attractions in Hyderabad are 
  • Birla Mandir, NTR gardens and the Necklace Road near the Hussain Sagar Lake
  • The Nehru Zoological Park, also known as the Hyderabad Zoo (www.hyderabadzoo.in)
  • Ramoji Film City, the world's largest Film City (www.ramojifilmcity.com)
How to reach Hyderabad
Hyderabad is well connected by Road, Rail and Air from all parts of India

Word of Caution
Watch out for the Telangana movement before you plan your trip to Hyderabad as it could ruin your holiday plan in a big way.



View Larger Map

3 comments:

  1. A very good read.. happy to say I have been to most of these places..(paradise-yumm! even for veggies) and according to me vieled rebecca shud be a world wonder:)

    Don ask me where the road is - LOL :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It seems like you had a great time on your trip to Hyderabad. The plethora of numerous delightful places to visit in Hyderabad ensure that travellers return with a lifetime of memories. Salar Jung Museum is also one of the major tourist attraction in the city.

    ReplyDelete