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Visiting Golconda Fort in Hyderabad

Howcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 18:04:56 +0000

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Just a few miles outside Hyderabad is the ruined city of Golconda Fort, with its beautiful ancient architecture. This was once the capital of the ancient Golconda Sultanate, and it was built by three dynasties before the Qutub Shahi dynasty moved to construct Hyderabad itself. The ruins that have endured for 800 years are a testament to the great culture Hyderabad was founded upon, and they’re interesting to explore in their own right. It’s said that Golconda was once known for its diamonds and that Golconda Fort was an important part of the diamond trade, making it a wealthy city and an impressive fortress. That legacy is apparent even in the ruins. The architecture of the whole Fort was constructed masterfully, right down to the acoustics: due to the unique architectural structure, if you clap your hands at the entry gate, the sound can be heard at the top of the hill Golconda Fort is situated upon. The fort may be surrounded by high, imposing walls for defense, but inside you’ll find the remains of an ancient community–homes, temples, mosques, and everything needed for everyday life hundreds of years ago. Golconda Fort is a step into Hyderabad’s past life, and exploring it is a great way to experience the history of Hyderabad’s culture.

Visiting the Charminar in Hyderabad

Howcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 17:50:37 +0000

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The Charminar is to Hyderabad what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, or the Statue of Liberty to New York City. This iconic mosque is widely known as the center of historic Hyderabad. When exactly the Charminar was built is unknown, but it is believed to have been the first building to be constructed after Hyderabad was made the capital of the ancient Golconda Sultanate, and it was likely completed in the late 1500s. The rest of Hyderabad was constructed around the Charminar, and it’s still right in the middle of the old city. Since that time, it has become one of India’s most famous landmarks, known for its beautiful traditional Islamic architecture, its intricate stucco decorations, and its unique symmetrical structure. The name Charminar translates to four towers, referring to the monument’s four beautiful minarets–one at each of the building’s four corners. There are four storeys and four balconies to each minaret, and great arches opening onto a plaza on each of the Charminar’s four sides, with a clock for each arch. Hyderabad’s oldest mosque is located on the Charminar’s top floor, and the main gallery has 45 prayer spaces which can still be used. The Charminar is especially beautiful when it’s lit up at night, so make sure to get a glimpse of it then–but no matter when you go, just make sure you don’t skip over it.

Visiting the Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad

Howcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 17:40:16 +0000

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One of Hyderabad’s biggest draws is the history that remains alongside the bustling modernity, and one of the best examples of that history is the majestic Chowmahalla Palace. This was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, where the Nizam sultans received their most important guests–so of course it had to be an impressive building. Its construction started in 1750, and the elaborate palace wasn’t completed until over a hundred years later. Chowmahalla actually means four palaces, and the Chowmahalla Palace is actually a palace complex, made up of multiple structures in two courtyards. The southern courtyard is the older one, and it contains the four great palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal, and Aftab Mahal. But the northern courtyard is where you’ll find the heart of the complex, the Khilwat, where the royal seat was laid in the beautiful Durbar Hall. This is where the Nizams held their most important ceremonies. You can also see the Bara Imam, where the administrative wing was once housed, and the Shishe-Alat, where grand visitors once roomed. The clock tower is here as well, so you can check the time with the Khilwat Clock, which has been working for hundreds of years. You can also visit the Council Hall and, if your timing is right, see an exhibition of the palace’s old treasures. Originally, the palace grounds covered 45 acres, and though only a fraction still remain, you’re sure to be stunned by the Chowmahalla Palace’s grand architecture and regal beauty.

How to Get around Hyderabad

Howcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 16:57:30 +0000

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As long as you have a map and are careful about the traffic on unpaved roads, Hyderabad’s most interesting neighborhoods are best explored on foot. But they’re kind of spread out, so you’ll need some help getting around between them. Buses are one good option–the routes cover pretty much anywhere you’ll want to go, and there are usually English maps available. Taxis are your best bet for long trips, as long as you book them ahead of time–demand is so high, it’s nearly impossible to hail one on the street. There are a number of services with centralized call centers you can use to book a cab; however, some services won’t let you reserve a taxi for a short trip, so it’s best to plan which parts of the city you want to explore ahead of time and book your cabs accordingly. Autorickshaws are good for shorter trips, but pricing isn’t always consistent, so bring more cash than you expect to need. Whatever you do, plan ahead, and bring a map and a sense of adventure with you when travelling in Hyderabad.

Best Time to Visit Hyderabad

Howcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 16:49:16 +0000

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Your biggest concern when deciding what time of year to visit Hyderabad is likely to be the weather. The summer months can be scorching, with temperatures over 100 º F, though evenings and mornings will usually be a little cooler. The hottest month of the year is May, so avoid going to Hyderabad then at all costs. Hyderabad also sees heavy rain between the months of June and September, with September being the rainiest month–so don’t go then unless you want to be cooped up inside instead of out exploring the city. On the other hand, if you’d like to escape harsh winter weather at home, Hyderabad is a good choice, since it never really gets cold there. Winter temperatures tend to have highs around 80 º F and lows around 50 º F. The coolest month is January, while February is still tolerable and also has the most hours of sunlight each day. For the most pleasant and convenient visit to Hyderabad, look for deals between October and March.

Top 3 Museums to Visit in Hyderabad

Howcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 16:29:29 +0000

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Hyderabad’s culture and history might be its biggest attractions, and what better way to educate yourself than by paying a visit to one of Hyderabad’s museums? The Salar Jung Museum is one of India’s most famous museums, with a huge collection of art and antiques dating from ancient times to the twentieth century, and from a broad variety of places–India, China, Japan, Egypt, Persia, Syria, and beyond. The three buildings that make up the museum contain a total of 38 galleries, but even that isn’t enough room to display all of the treasures in the Salar Jung Museum’s collections at one time. The Salar Jung offers variety, but if you want to focus on Indian culture, there’s no better place to start than the Buddhist and Hindu collections at the Andhra Pradesh State Museum. It’s the state’s oldest museum, and it offers a rich experience of Andhra Pradesh’s history and art. But there’s even more to the museum than India; you can also see the Egyptian mummy that was donated to the museum by one of the Nizams, Hyderabad’s old monarchs. If you want to visit the resting place of some of India’s own ancient rulers, check out the Qutub Shahi Tombs and their museum. This is where all except one of the sultans from the Qutub Shahi period are buried, and the museum contains armour, weapons, and other artifacts from this period. Whatever aspect of Hyderabad you’re most interested in, there’s a museum for you.

Top 8 Places to Visit in Hyderabad

Howcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 16:23:02 +0000

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Hyderabad is a vast old city, and the biggest draw for visitors is undoubtedly the rich history and culture that can be experienced through its many attractions. Start with the majestic Chowmahalla Palace–this was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, so it’s one of Hyderabad’s biggest and most beautiful palaces for a reason. You also can’t miss the iconic Charminar mosque, which is the center of historic Hyderabad, and still in use after hundreds of years. Mecca Masjid is another of Hyderabad’s oldest mosques, and it also happens to be one of the biggest in India. Just outside Hyderabad is the ruined city of Golconda Fort, with astounding ancient architecture to explore, and the legacy of Hyderabad’s previous rulers. Nearby are the Qutub Shahi Tombs, the resting place of the sultans of the Qutub Shahi period. The Paigah Tombs, back in Hyderabad, are also worth exploring for their unique, intricate decorations. If you’re getting tired, relax on the shore of the lake Hussain Sagar, where you can see giant statue of the Gautam Buddha that stands in the middle. Finally, learn more about Hyderabad’s rich cultural heritage at the Salar Jung Museum, which is one of India’s largest museums and has an impressive collection of art and antiques from all over the world. There’s a lot to take in when you’re exploring Hyderabad, so make sure to allow plenty of time to enjoy the city.

Top 4 Neighborhoods to Visit in Hyderabad

Howcast — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 16:17:22 +0000

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Hyderabad, capital of the south Indian state Andhra Pradesh, is hundreds of years old, but it has a booming technology industry. The combination of the old and the new is what makes Hyderabad such a fascinating place. Start in Purana Shahr, the Old City, located in southern Hyderabad. This is where Hyderabad was founded, and it’s where you’ll find many of the city’s most famous historical landmarks, such as the Charminar. Keeping with Hyderabad’s old traditions is Shilparamam, where you can attend a festival or shop for handmade craftwork, like jewelry and textiles. Right next door to Shilparamam is a big change in style, with Hyderabad Information Technology Engineering Consultancy City, commonly known as HITEC City. There are a lot of schools and international companies in this part of town, so you’re likely to end up in HITEC City if you’re visiting Hyderabad on business. But even if you’re visiting for fun instead of work, Hyderabad offers plenty of modern entertainment. If you’re a movie buff, you have to visit Ramoji Film City, which is the biggest film studio complex in the world. It’s also a good place to visit if you’re traveling with children, since there are a lot of attractions geared towards young people. Whether you’re visiting Hyderabad for the cutting edge technology or for the culture and history, you’ll find plenty to do.