Hyderabad – City of Pearls

Location: Andhra Pradesh
Tourist Attractions: Charminar, Golconda Fort, Taramati Baradari, HITECH City, Hyderabad Palaces, Birla Mandir
Local Tongue: Urdu, Telugu, Hindi, and English
Best time to Visit: September to February
STD Code : (91) – 40

About Hyderabad

Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh is a city steeped in ancient Mughal tradition while at the same time fast emerging as the information technology hub of India. The city is no less than a museum, boasting of a rich collection of Qutab Shahi architectural marvels including the Jama Masjid, Mecca Mosque, and the pride of Hyderabad, the imposing Charminar. Hyderabad makes a complete vacationing experience offering a host of tourist magnets such as ancient monuments, sprawling lakes, and lush gardens, a rich culture, delicious cuisine, and a memorable shopping experience. Read more about Hyderabad Pearls 

The chequered history of Hyderabad commenced when its foundation stone was laid by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah in 1591. It was initially named Bhagyanagar after Queen Bhagmati but was later renamed Hyderabad. The city passed into the hands of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1687 and was later captured by the Asaf Jahi dynasty that ruled the city until 1948 when it was finally merged into the Indian union.

The most popular landmark in Hyderabad, Charminar is situated in the center of the old city amidst bustling bazaars. The four-sided towering structure was built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591 in the newly formed city of Bhagyanagar (later renamed Hyderabad) shortly after shifting his capital there from Golconda. The ruler built the monument in the memory of his wife Bhagmati and is believed to have been constructed on the exact spot where he saw her for the first time.

Tourist Attractions

Charminar

The Charminar, constructed in 1591 CE, is a monument and mosque located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structures of India. The Charminar is situated on the east bank of the Musi river. To the west lies the Laad Bazaar, and to the southwest lies the richly ornamented granite Makkah Masjid

Golconda Fort

Just a stone’s throw away from Hyderabad, Golconda Fort is a magnificent fortress built by the Kakatiya rulers during the 13th century. Built on a 120-meter high granite hill, the fort was originally built as a mud construction but was later extended to include granite structures that are almost 5 km in circumference.

Taramati Baradari

Taramati Baradari is located at Ibrahimbagh, on the Osman Sagar (Gandipet) Road, close to Golconda. The complex is spread over a sprawling 7-acre area amidst lush green environs with the backdrop of the famed Golconda Fort. The heritage monument built by the Seventh Sultan of Golconda is accessed from the complex.

Hyderabad Palaces

The historic city of Hyderabad houses a number of beautiful palaces that stand as witnesses to its rich historical past. Two of the most amazing structures in Hyderabad are the Falaknuma Palace built by Nawab Vikar Ulmara and the Ashmangarh Palace built by Asman Jah, the former prime minister of Hyderabad.

Birla Mandir

The white marble temple of Lord Venkateshwara floats on the city skyline, on Kala Pahad. The idol in the temple is a replica of the one at Tirumala Tirupati.

HITECH City

The old part of Hyderabad is laden with ancient structures while the newer version of the place presents a completely different aspect with ultramodern structures, beautiful architecture, and contemporary shopping complexes studded in every nook and corner. HITECH City (Hyderabad Information Technology Engineering Consultancy City), situated in the Madhapur area is a 10 storied cylindrical structure that houses offices of Indian and International IT giants in over 5,00,000 sq. feet of area.

One of the must-visit in Hyderabad is the pearl bazaar where beautiful pearls coming in from all over the world pass through the hands of skilled craftsmen to be molded into gorgeous jewelry. Other nearby markets sell clothing items including colorful attire as sported by some of the known tribes of Andhra Pradesh.

Biryani Delights

The Mughals have left a deep impression on Indian culture including everything from its architecture to cuisine. Biryani (a dish made of rice and mutton) is an integral part of the Hyderabadi cuisine that best showcases the impact of Mughal culture on a platter. For non-vegetarians, biryani promises a complete gastronomical treat that makes an inherent part of every Hyderabadi celebration. The Hyderabadi biryani has become famous all over the country for its unique flavor and aroma and the spices used to ensure the complete satisfaction of taste and hungriness. While in Hyderabad, do not miss out on a huge platter of delectable biryani.

Get-Aways

Warangal

The historical city of Warangal is located 140 km north of Hyderabad. The erstwhile capital of the Kakatiya rulers dates back to the 11th century and houses a number of ancient structures of tourist interest. An ancient star-shaped temple dating back to the 13th century is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Other places of tourist interest around Warangal are Vinayak Sagar and Kondapuram.

Nagarjunakonda

An important Buddhist center, Nagarjunakonda lies 150 km southeast of Hyderabad. Among the major tourist attractions here are the 2nd-century ruins of a Buddhist center and the world’s largest masonry dam built on the river Krishna.

Bidar

History comes alive in the form of 15th and 116th-century-old ruins at Bidar, situated at a distance of 150 km west of Hyderabad. The prominent tourist attractions at the place include the rangeen mahal or the colorful palace.

Stay At

Hyderabad is one of the fastest developing cities in India being home to the regional offices of some of the biggest IT players in the world. The city, therefore, receives a continuous influx of business travelers throughout the year and the historically significant portion of it ensures a good number of tourists.

Hyderabad boasts of a number of quality hotels that ensure a comfortable and memorable stay for its guests. Amongst the best in the city is Hotel Taj Krishna (5 stars deluxe, located at Banjara Hills 7 km from the airport, 10 km from the railway station, and 11 km from bus stand), Kakatiya Sheraton and Towers (5 stars deluxe, located at Begumpet 3 km from the airport, 7 km from the railway station and 2 km from the city center), Taj Banjara (5 stars, located at Banjara Hills 7 km from the airport, 5 km from the railway station and 15 km from bus stand) and Taj Residency (5 stars, located at Banjara Hills 6 km from the airport, 5 km from railway station).

Getting There

By Air: The Begumpet airport located at Hyderabad connects the city with all other major Indian cities and a number of international cities including those in the middle east, Singapore, and more recently Chicago. An International airport is being constructed on the outskirts of the city and once complete will connect with a number of other destinations. Indian Airlines and other private carriers operate several flights a day connecting Hyderabad with other major Indian cities including Delhi and Mumbai.

By Rail: The Secunderabad railway station, situated at the center of the city receives regular trains from all the major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Bhubaneshwar, and Rajkot. Daily trains between Delhi and Hyderabad are Dakshin Exp. and A P Exp.

By Road: Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses connect Hyderabad
with all the neighboring cities in and outside the state. National Highways 7 & 9 pass through the city.

Distance from Major Cities

• Aurangabad: 554 Km

• Bangalore: 562 Km

• Nagpur: 487 Km

• Pune: 548 Km

• Tirupati: 592 Km

• Vijaywada: 267 Km