Hydrabad Tourist places

Hyderabad

 

For more than a decade, the winds of change have been blowing hard on this bit of the Deccan Plateau, breathing life into an old city. Now, Hyderabad houses IT companies, MNCs and BPOs; it is a powerhouse for the pharmaceutical industry. It’s seen the steady rise of Tollywood, world-class educational institutions, an excellent airport and a stream of luxury hotels and designer labels. Fortunately, old Hyderabad’s gems—incredibly good Nawabi cuisine, a fascinating museum, Islamic art and culture, the pulsing Charminar area—are still alive and accessible.

MONUMENTS

Charminar

 

 

The Charminar area in the centre of the Old City of Hyderabad gets its name from this four-minaret monument. The massive gateway which opens out into all four directions—north, south, east and west—was built by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah in 1591 in gratitude to God for ending a plague. Inside you will find a madrasa on one floor and a mosque on the other. From the roof of the archway, visitors get picture-perfect views of the Old City but in an attempt to preserve the monument, the Archaeological Survey of India has prohibited entry.

Chowmahalla Palace

 

 

Chowmahalla, meaning four palaces, was built to resemble the Tehran palace of the Shah of Iran. Completed in 1869 and spread over 45 acres, this UNESCO World Heritage Site now sits on 12 acres of land. Today, you can see evidence of its original grandeur and Persian influences—two painstakingly restored courtyards, fountains, gardens, palaces and the opulent Khilwat (or Durbar Hall), which was the seat of the Nizam's power. The beautiful Aftab Mahal, supported by Corinthian columns, is the grandest of the palaces but presently under renovation. The exquisite stucco-worked pillars of the Khilwat stand out against its pure white interiors but we expect the 19 recently re-installed Belgian crystal chandeliers to really amaze you. Today, the Chowmahalla Palace is at the centre of the city's cultural happenings and regularly hosts art shows and book readings. CNT tip: the Palace and its grounds can be rented for very exclusive events. We think it’s a magical location for a wedding.

 

Mecca Masjid

 

 

As Hyderabad's largest and oldest mosque, Mecca Masjid can hold up to 10,000 devotees. This site also houses the tombs of the Nizams of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty—the rulers of Hyderabad from 1803 onwards.

Birla Temple

 

 

This intricately carved temple is made entirely of white marble sourced from Rajasthan and overlooks the beautiful Hussain Sagar Lake. Spectacularly lit every evening, the temple offers stunning views of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Buddha Statue

 

 

Located in the middle of tranquil Hussain Sagar Lake, this Buddha idol is the world’s largest monolithic statue to be carved completely from a single block of white granite. The boat ride to reach the statue makes for a wonderful Hyderabadi experience.

MUSEUMS

 

HEH The Nizam’s Museum

Colloquially called Purani Haveli, part of this structure is a museum where you’ll find the world’s largest wardrobe, as well as one of the last manually operated lifts still in working condition.

 

Salar Jung Museum

Highlights from this museum include Arabic and Persian manuscripts, South Indian bronzes, Chinese porcelain and the Nizams’ Jewels—a collection of 173 pieces—that includes the 184-carat Jacob Diamond used by the seventh Nizam as a paperweight, as well as a set of 22 uncut Columbian emeralds.

 

ART AND THEATRE

 

 

Lamakaan

 

Lamakaan is the city’s hotspot for various cultural activities—arts and literature to theatre, debate and dialogue, you can experience it all here. From Kuchipudi to Pecha Kucha, there’s always something to watch or listen to.

 

Kalakriti Art Gallery

 

Boasting a fine selection of contemporary Indian art from across the country, Kalakriti Art Gallery showcases the works of celebrated artists like SH Raza and Shakti Burman, alongside work from rising stars of the country’s art scene.

 

Shrishti Art Gallery

 

This modern art gallery includes works from famous Indian artists like Anjalie Ela Menon and Jatin Das and hosts regular exhibitions that have become the talk of the town.

 

Alankritha Art Gallery

 

Not only a gallery, Alankritha organizes discussions and workshops on contemporary art forms, as well as holds classes in art appreciation.

 

WHAT TO DO

Food and culture trails

 

 

 

Sample the best of Hyderabadi and Andhra cuisine with culinary trips that begin in the market and end in the kitchens of Hyderabadi families. Detours India also offers personalised historical, arts & crafts and slice-of-life tours.

 

Rock walk

 

Mushroom Rock, Patthar Dil, Rock Park, Bear’s Nose—the Society to Save the Rocks, an organisation devoted to saving those ubiquitous granite aubergines, will introduce you to nature’s best in and around Hyderabad, every third Sunday of the month. Book in advance for this very unique tour.

 

Ramoji Film City

 

 

The world’s largest integrated film studio complex, Ramoji Film City is spread across 1,666 acres of forest and rock-packed land. Take a guided tour to visit over 500 different sets that have been used in countless Bollywood and Tollywood flicks.