Hyderabad- The City of Pearls

Throughout its history, the city was a center for local traditions in art, literature, architecture and cuisine. I was lucky enough to live in the city. It is  known for its pearl and diamond trading centers. Let me tell you a little about the history of City Of Pearls. Hyderabad was established in 1591 CE as Bhaganagar by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, fifth sultan of the Qutb Shahi dynasty of Golkonda. It remained under the rule of the Qutb Shahi dynasty until 1687, when Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered the region and the city became part of the Mughal empire.

             

Due to the variety of historical dynasties that ruled the city across different periods—its inception by the Qutub Shahi dynasty in 1591 AD, the occupation by the Mughal Empire and the patronage under the Asaf Jahi dynasty it has a distinguish lingustic and cultural traditions of North and South India. Hyderabadis, as residents of the city are known, have developed a distinctive culture which is a mixture of Hindu and Muslim traditions.

I choose Hyderabad as my first destination to write about as its one of my favorite places and a home to me..I do love everything about Hyderabad,  from its historical landmarks, crowded old markets, busy IT hubs, leisurely malls, gardens, huge variety of cuisine to its festivals and cultural events..

Language/ Culture/ Religion:

There are four languages in Hyderabad: Hindi, Urdu, Telugu and English. English is the language of business and administration, and is widely spoken and understood. Most Hyderabadis are bilingual, and speak their mother tongue as well as English.

Remove your shoes when entering someone’s home, even if they tell you it is all right to wear your shoes. It is almost never all right.  Never put objects on a temple or someone’s personal altar in their home or on sacred items, such as a religious book.  Smoking is prohibited in public buses, elevators, theaters, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, shopping centers and government offices.

With this mixture of people, Hyderabad is also a mixture of religions. Hyderabad’s skyline boasts the distinctive minarets of mosques, intricate figurines of Hindu temple gods, beautiful Churches and distinctive architecture of Gurudwaras. The main religions are Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Sikhism.

Best Time To Visit:

I would say November to February would be perfect.Hyderabad is fairly warm all throughout the year except for the winter season which is pleasant. The best time for visiting the place is fromOctober to March.

·     Winter (November to February) is pleasant with temperature running between 32°C to 14°C. It is suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities in Hyderabad.

·         Summer (March to May) is severely hot especially April and May months, with temperature is always above 30°C and soaring as high as 45°C. Traveling becomes very difficult due to the hot sun.

·        Monsoon (June to September) offers medium to heavy rains and may be associated with heavy winds. Monsoon days are not preferable for traveling.

Visa/Currency-

India Visa Validity:

Indian visas are usually issued for multiple entries for a period of 6 months or 5 years. 10 year visas may be requested. Visa validity is granted at the discretion of the Indian Consulate. 

Country	Passport Required	Return Ticket Required	Visa Required
Australia	Yes	No	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No	Yes
Other  EU	Yes	No	Yes
British	Yes	No	Yes
USA	Yes	No	Yes

Important: Travelers must leave India on or before the expiration of their visa. Travelers who remain in India beyond the validity of their visa could face detention and significant penalties.

Indian Visa Processing Time:

Visa processing time varies in different locations, depending on the state of residence of the applicants processing location(s)processing time(indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa)

Currency: 

The Indian rupee () is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India.

Credit Cards/ Banking & Money Changing:

American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted. Banks throughout Hyderabad generally open at 9.30am and close at 3.30pm Mondays to Fridays, and 9.30am to 12.30am on Saturdays for transactions of travellers' cheques and other financial matters. For convenience, Automated teller machines (ATM) are open round-the-clock, offering the MAESTRO or CIRRUS network system. Apart from the convenience of exchanging money at all banks and hotels, money can also be exchanged wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed. Most shopping complexes have a licensed money changer. Visitors are discouraged from changing money with unlicensed money changers.

Luggage Allowance:

Most of the international carriers allow about 25-30 Kgs per person. Whereas domestic carriers allow 20 Kgs per person.

Electric Current:

Standard voltage is 220-240 volts AC 50 cycles per second. Most hotels are equipped with transformers for 110-120 volts AC, 60 cycles per second appliances. This is different from America and England, so to use your tape recorder, etc., you need a converter and an adapter for your plug, which you can get at certain Indian appliance stores in your own country. Socket sizes in India vary, so it is a good idea to get a universal adapter which is available at airports and at special travel stores. Sockets have three round pins, which is similar to the ones used in Europe. European plugs will go into the sockets, but the Indian pins are a little thicker and the plug will be a little loose, so the connection may not be so good.

How to Reach:

If you are travelling from abroad Hyderabad has an international airport (www.hyderabad.aero/ traveller.aspx), it is connected to most of the African, European, American and Asian countries. The Airport is located approximately 30 km (19 mi) from the city,Car rental and taxi services are available at the airport. In addition, the Pushpak Airport liner, is a facility provided by APSRTC to reach the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.(www.hyderabad.aero/to-from-airport.aspx) These buses run at 30 minutes interval to/from several points in the city and the airport between 03:00 hours and 00:00 hours, and at a half an hour frequency. APSRTC also provides non air-conditioned bus services. The Domestic airport is also attached to the international airport people can fly in to Hyderabad from all the major cities in India..It is also well connected with road and rail. Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station [MGBS] earlier known as Imlibun is the main bus station located in southern part of Hyderabad and the other one being Jubliee Bus Station..The bus services are operated by APSRTC (www.apsrtc.gov.in). There are two Railway Stations in Hyderabad one is Nampally Railway Station located in Nampally and the other is Kacheguda Railway Station. (www.indianrail.gov.in) (www.irctc.co.in)

From  Delhi -1499 km

From Mumbai - 711 km
From Bangalore - 562 km
From Chennai - 688 km
From Kolkatta - 1516 km

Accommodation:

Depending on the budget you are travelling on and depending on the place where you choose to stay there are lot of options in the city from luxury hotels to resorts and B&B..If you are looking for a taste of Indian royalty and don't mind spending ($650-$1850) you should not miss Taj Falaknuma Palace Hotel..It would be an unique experience.. If you are looking for something in ($40-$60) per night theseare few very good places to choose from Justa Residence near Neaklace road is a good budget hotel, Swan Suites Raghuram Heights (B&B) in Kondapur. Hotel Taj Mahal in Basheer Bagh..There are few good B&B at the price of ($18-$36)

Transportation within the city:

The city is well connected by road and metro. There are plenty of government run buses covering all the corners of the city. Taxi and Auto are freely available.

Places To Visit:

Charminar:

The Charminar, built in 1591 CE, is a monument and mosquea and a  global icon of Hyderabad. Charminar has the signature style of Islamic architecture. The structure is made of granite, limestone, mortar and pulverised marble. .The area surrounding Charminar is also known by same name. The monument overlooks another and grand mosque called the Mecca Masjid. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the 5th ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, commissioned bricks to be made from the soil brought from Mecca, the holiest site of Islam, and used them in the construction of the central arch of the mosque, thus giving the mosque its name. It formed the centerpiece around which the city was planned by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah.

Charminar

Mecca Masjid

Golkonda:

A ruined city and capital of ancient Kingdom of Golkonda (c.1518–1687), is situated 11 km west of Hyderabad. The 13th century Golkonda Fort was built by the Kakatiyas The region is universally famous for the mines that have produced the world's most famous and coveted gems, including The Hope Diamond, Idol's Eye, The Koh-i-Noor and Darya-i-Noor.The most important builder of Golkonda was Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah Wali, the fourthQutub king of the Qutub Shahi Dynasty.     Timings:7.00AM-8.00PM

Golkonda Fort

Qutb Shahi Tombs:

The tombs of the seven Qutub Shahi rulers in the Ibrahim Bagh (garden precinct) are located close to the famous Golkonda Fort. They lie about a kilometre north of the outer perimeter wall of Golkonda Fort and its Banjara Darwaza. During the Qutub Shahi period, these tombs were held in great veneration. But after their reign, the tombs were neglected until Sir Salar Jung III ordered their restoration in the early 19th century. A garden was laid out, and a compound wall was built. Once again, the tomb-garden of the Qutub Shahi family became a place of serene beauty. All except the last of the Qutub Shahi sultans lie buried here.    Timings: 9.00AM--4.00PM. Closed on Fridays.

Qutb Shahi Tomb

Chowmahalla Palace:

Chowmahalla Palace or Chowmahallat (4 Palaces), was a palace belonging to theNizams. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizam.The prestigious UNESCO Asia Pacific Merit award for cultural heritage conservation was presented to Chowmahalla Palace.While Salabat Jung initiated its construction in 1750, it was completed by the period of Afzal ad-Dawlah, Asaf Jah V, the V Nizam ensured its completion between 1857 and 1869.

It is believed to be modelled on Shah of Iran's palace in Tehran.

The palace is unique for its style and elegance.This palace consists of two courtyards, southern courtyard and northern courtyard. They have elegant palaces, the grand Khilwat (the Durbar Hall), fountains and gardens.It is very near to Charminar.

Timings:10AM-5PM, Closed on Fridays and National holidays.(www.chowmahalla.com)

Chowmahalla Palace

Falaknuma Palace:

Falaknuma Palace is one of the finest palaces in Hyderabad. It belonged to Paigah Hyderabad State, and it was later owned by the Nizams. It is on a 32-acre (13 ha) area in Falaknuma, 5 km from Charminar. It was built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra. In 2000 Taj Hotels started renovating and restoring the palace. The renovated hotel was opened in November 2010.The rooms and halls were decorated with ornate furniture, rich handcrafted tapestries and brocade from France. The interiors are a splendid interplay of Venetian chandeliers and intricate frescos and have charming outdoor terraces with a treasure of rare artefacts, including paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts and books. The palace has a 101-seat dining hall, considered the largest in the world.

Falaknuma Palace

Salar Jung Museum:

The Salar Jung Museum is an art museum located at Darushifa, on the southern bank of the Musi river in the city of Hyderabad. It is around 2 Kms far from Charminar. It is a national museum. It has a collection of sculptures, paintings, carvings, textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, metallic artefacts, carpets, clocks, and furniture from Japan, China, Burma, Nepal, India, Persia, Egypt, Europe, and North America. The museum's collection was sourced from the property of the Salar Jung family.

Trivia

The museum has a collection of over 43000 art objects, 9000 manuscripts and 47000 printed books!

Timing

The timings for the Salarjung Museum are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily. The museum is closed on Fridays. (www.salarjungmuseum.in)

Salar Jung Museum collection

Spanish Mosque:

The Spanish Mosque also known as Masjid Iqbal Ud Daula or Aiwan-E-
Begumpet, is a mosque in Begumpet, Hyderabad. The mosque was constructed by Paigah Nawab, Nawab Sir Iqbal Ud Daula in 1906, after his return from Spain, as he was very much inspired by the Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba. The exterior and interior of the Spanish Mosque is mostly similar to the Cathedral–Mosque of Córdoba in Spain and Jama Masjid Gulbarga, Karnataka, India.

Spanish Mosque

Birla Mandir:

The temple manifests a blend of South Indian Rajasthani and Utkala temple architectures. In its entirety made of 2000 tons of pure Rajasthani white marble.  The granite of the presiding deity is about 11 ft (3.4 m) tall and a carved lotus forms an umbrella on the roof. The consorts of Lord Venkateswara, Padmavati and Andal are housed in separate shrines. There is a brass flagstaff in the temple premises which rises to a height of 42 ft (13 m).The temple is built on a 280 feet (85 m) high hillock called the Naubath Pahad on a 13 acres (53,000 m2) plot. The construction took 10 years and was consecrated in 1976 by SwamiRanganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission. The temple does not have traditional bells, as Swamiji wished that the temple atmosphere should be conducive for meditation.This temple is one of the most important religious place in India. It is about 3 Kms from (Nampally) railway station and its is near to Tank Bund.

Timings: 7.00AM-12.00PM & 3.00PM-9.00PM

Birla Mandir

Hussain Sagar Lake- Statue Of Buddha

Hussain Sagar - It is a man-made lake famous for the 19-metre tall Buddha statue present in the middle of the lake. Located on its banks is Tank Bund which consists of beautiful gardens and statues of famous personalities. Boating and water sports are a regular feature at the lake.

Hussian Sagar

Birla Science Museum:

B. M. Birla Science Museum is an Indian science museum located in Nampally. Constructed by civil engineer Mr. P. A. Singaravelu, it comprises a planetarium, museum, science center, art gallery as well as a dinosaurium.The Birla Planetarium is a wing of the Science Center. The planetarium is one of three Birla Planetariums in the India.It is believed to be one of the best attended planetariums in the world.The Dinosaurium is the newest addition to the planetarium and science center and opened in 2000 Its exhibits include a 160-million-year-old mounted Kotasaurus Yamanpalliensis. excavated at Adilabad district in Andhra Pradesh. The Dinosaurium also has a collection of smaller fossils of dinosaur eggs, marine shells and fossilised tree trunks.

Timings: 10 AM to 7 PM daily     Closed : Last thursday of every month

Ramoji Film City:

The Ramoji Film City situated near Hayathnagar inHyderabad. It is also a popular tourism and recreation centre, containing both natural and artificial attractions including an amusement park. It is till date the largest Film Studio in the world

Indian film producer Ramoji Rao, head of Ramoji Group, opened the facility in 1996.Every year, the studios attracts over a million tourists, and the complex creates revenues in billions of rupees. Located at the entrance of the film city are the 5-star hotel, Tara and a 7-star hotel, Sitara for the film production units as well as for tourists. Once inside, there is Hawa Mahal, an intricate miniature Golconda Fort, which is on a hilltop from which one can have aBird's-eye view of the whole studio.

The vintage Film City coaches shuttle visitors around the studios on a guided tour. There are several settings in the studios which lead the visitors from streets of the Mauryan Empire or theMughal Empire or even the American Old West. There's also the famous Hollywood sign displayed on the hills at the studios.

Timings:  

Internal Tour Timings:10AM-4.30PM       

Ticket Booking Hours: 9AM-2PM  

Mughal Gardens @ Ramoji Film City

Shilparamam:

Shilparamam is an arts and crafts village located in Madhapur, Hyderabad. The village was conceived with an idea to create an environment for the preservation of traditional crafts. There are ethnic festivals round the year. Sprawling over 65 acres (260,000 m2) of land in the hi-tech hub city of India, Shilparamam gives a scenic ambience of tradition and cultural heritage.

Enchanting the blend of arts and artifact, epitomizing the true legacy with the diverse natural beauty of rural India.

The lush and serene environment of Shilparamam is sculpted with woodwork, jewellery, cloths and local crafts of each region of the country. Showcasing a plethora of artistic ethos, Shilparamam is set amidst gardens, cascading waterfalls and natural rock heights.

Timings: 10.30AM-8.00PM.

Hyderabadi Cuisine:

Hyderabadi cuisine has a 400-year history legacy  like its culture, it is unmatched by any other state in India. Some of the salient features of Hyderabadi food are the key flavours of coconut, tamarind, peanuts and sesame seeds. The key spice is chilli, which is used in abundance and is the reason for the sobriquet "Dynamite Food. For a gastronomical treat the hotels, restaurants and cafes in the city provide a variety of exotic food for all kinds of gourmets. Some of the most traditional Hyderabadi dishes which were probably served 400 years ago, and still served today are Biryani, Moghlai dishes, Chicken korma, Sheer korma. . Be it the North Indian Peshawri delights, the traditional spicy South Indian or Continental & Mexican to the Chinese food or the best of Fast Food Centres, Pizzerias, Snack Outlets bakeries and sweet shops, Hyderabad caters to all pockets and tastebuds.

Hyderabadi Biryani is Hyderabad's most famous meat-and-rice dish; the Nizams served some 26 varieties of biryanis for their guests. An authentic Hyderabad meal invariably includes a mutton biryani. Hyderabadi Biryanis incorporating chicken, lamb or vegetables instead of mutton are also popular.

Hyderabadi Haleem

Haleem is a seasonal delicacy of wheat, meat and cooked for hours to a porridge-like paste. Haleem is a seasonal dish which is made during Ramzan (Ramadan). The high calorie haleem is an ideal way to break the ramzan fast and served in the evenings.

·         Hyderabadi Marag - A thin mutton soup

·         Bagara khana - Basmati rice delicacy.

·         Baghara baingan- Stuffed Eggplants, a delicacy where tender and fresh brinjals are stuffed with grounded peanut-coconut mixture and cooked in a rich and creamy paste.

·         Dalcha - Mutton and Lentil delicacy.

·         Murghi ka Khorma - Chicken curry

·         Hyderabadi Kheema- A popular mutton-mince curry.

·         Paaya - Bone soup.

·         Pathar-ka-Gosht - Mutton/lamb seared on a stone slab found in Hyderabad.

·         Bina Masale Ka Murgh - chicken done with only curd, turmeric and saffron

·         Dum-ka-Kheema

·         Muthhi Key Kebab - Meat balls (goat)

·         Nizami Murg Handi

·         Dopiaza - A curry made from lamb, onions, butter etc

Restaurants:

Village-Hitec City

Barbeque Nation-Banjara Hills

Beenz Cafe-Jubilee Hills

A'la Liberty-Banjara Hills

Sahib Sindh Sultan-Banjara Hills

Bikanervala-Banjara Hills

Hard Rock Cafe-Banjara Hills

Little Italy-Jubliee Hills

Cinnamon Fusion-Madhapur

Khaan Saaab-Banjara Hills

Paradise-Secunderabad, Hitec City

Day Trip from Hyderabad:

Moulali hill lock: Moulali is situated at a distance of 10km from Secunderabad. After climbing the hill, you can have a beautiful view of Hyderabad. 

Ananthagiri hills and Deccan Trails: Ananthagiri hills near vikarabad is situated at a distance of 90km from Hyderabad. It is one of the favorite trekking destinations for the adventure seekers in Hyderabad

Nagarjuna sagar: Located at a distance of 150 km from Hyderabad, Nagarjunasagar is an important irrigation dam on river Krishna. Main attraction will be the dam and the waterfalls. AP tourism organises boat ride on the krishna river which will take us to the nagarjuna konda. Nagarjunakonda is an interesting island museum located in the midst of the Nagarjuna Sagar Lake

Warangal: The Main draw of tourists in the city include Warangal Fort, the 13th century star shaped Shiva temple, Bhadrakali temple and the thousand pillared temple. Wildlife Sanctuaries at Pakhal and Eturnagaram and Pakhal Lake are other tourist spots which are worth visiting.

Bidar: Bidar(karnataka) is located at a distance of 140km from Hyderabad. Places of interest in bidar include Bidar Fort, Chowbara, Gurudwara, Bidri shahi Tombs, Bidri art works

Shopping in the city/ Souvenirs:

Shops open from 10am to 9pm daily. You needn't keep a sharp eye on your watch when you're shopping in Hyderabad. Our city also enjoys the reputation of being one of the safest places to be in, so provided basic precautions are taken, you can have peace of mind to shop and walk around well into the night.

When you’re in Hyderabad, where and what to shop should be the least of your concerns since Hyderabad is a shopper’s delight. Whether you’re buying something exotic and indigenous, or just looking for the next great gadget or fashion gear, Hyderabad has it all and more. What’s even better is that if you’re hunting for the local stuff, you can engage in that age-old and time-honored tradition of haggling and bargaining. What you think is cheap can even be bought cheaper, if you’re a good enough haggler. Those with enough silver in their tongue can practically get away with a bag full of beads and saris at less than a hundred bucks.The main shopping areas of Hyderabad include Abids, Basheerbagh, and Nampally..

Laad Bazaar is also another popular shopping spot for those who want to get the world-renowned Indian bangles and cheap jewellery. The fact that the bazaar has been around since the Qutub Shahi dynasty attests to its enduring legacy as one of Hyderabad’s premiere shopping places. At Laad, shoppers can take their pick of the popular lacquer bangles, saris, traditional Khara Dupattas, and pearls, of which Hyderabad is particularly known.

Brassworks and metalworks, on the other hand, can pretty much be found at Begum Bazaar, located 2 kilometers from the Naya Pul Bridge. Like Laad Bazaar, it also has a long history of being a commercial street. Indian household commodities are its specialties.

Won’t you be proud if you could take back a unique part of Hyderabad when you return and flaunt it as your showpiece back in your living room? Yes, it is possible and in many varieties too. As you come back from Charminar, take a round of Laad Bazaar and try on some artificial stone bangles that it is famous for. Choose from lac bangles, studded with precious and semi-precious stones or with pearls and glass beads. Match with the colour of your dress or simply go bohemian with riots of colours. You will love it in all its form and colour. And it gets better, the prices will make your pockets happy too.

Putting a smile on a child’s face is perhaps the most satisfying thing. And when you go back from Hyderabad what’s the better way to earn it than to gift a colourful Kondapalli toy of Krishna or Ganesh or of a peacock or an elephant. As much an adult cherishes it as a souvenir, a child will adore it. Other than these,Bidri, an ancient art, has found its way to cufflinks, vases, ashtrays, nameplates and more. Famous for the shining silver and brass inlay work, the uniqueness of this art lies in this contrasting amalgamation. The lure of the sari transgresses nations and in Hyderabad you will be spoilt for choices. Dharmavaram silk saris, with their broad borders brocaded gold patterns or Gadwal that typifies Andhra traditional style- these are just two of the varieties.

Shop for all the above handcrafted pieces, tinged with the style of Hyderabad, inBasheerbagh, Abids, Nampally, Begum Bazaar or Mahatma Gandhi Road. The Andhra Pradesh government has also opened souvenir and handicraft shops,Gnapika and branches of this is located at Ravindra Bharati and Mahtaab Restaurant in Hyderabad.

What to Wear:

Hyderabad has a moderate temperature ranging from 15 to 40 degrees. Light and summer clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton is best for everyday wear. Casual dress is acceptable for most situations. When going to religious places you should dress very conservatively.

It is important that women dress modestly. Women in India do not normally show their shoulders or knees, or wear tight fitting clothes, or shorts. It is best not to wear clinging, or low cut clothes. The bra-less look should be avoided.

Safety:

Hyderabad has a well-founded reputation as one of the safest cities in the world. Crime rates are very low and the streets are safe to walk in any time of the day or night. However, I do recommend that visitors to my city take the normal precaution of keeping their valuables in a safe place at all times.

The Andhra Pradesh Government has and will continue to be vigilant in ensuring that Hyderabad remains safe. It has stepped up security measures at key installations and other sensitive places. 

 Though there is no reason one can’t live or travel alone, the fact is that it is always safer for single women in India to live or travel with at least 1 or 2 other people.

 Avoid all body contact with men you have just met or even if you have known them over a few days.  Do not give hugs and don’t shake hands.  Use the conventional ‘namaste’ instead.

Avoid all travels at night.  Never get into a cab or auto that has more than 1 man sitting in there

·         For long distance travel, railways and airlines provide their services. Do check out the flight and train schedules beforehand. There is nothing to worry about your health as facilities are ample and vulnerability to any kind of epidemic is very low. Still it is advisable to keep a first aid kit with you.

Don’t start shooting people, I mean with camera. Ask for permission and make it a note at sacred places.

That’s all folks hope this was helpful and please write to me with your feedback and inputs.