Brief
Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh and is the fifth largest city in
India. This bustling city is located on the Deccan Plateau and the Musi river
about 650 meter above the sea level. The landscape of Hyderabad is quite varied with
imposing hills, tanks, forests, and rock formations. This cosmopolitan city
boasts of a variety of rich cultures. There are many attractions in and around
the city offered by the tourism department of Hyderabad. Hyderabad tourism
presents the majestic past of this glorious city along with the new evolving
city, the beautiful old monuments, lakes, beaches and temples all add to the
exuberant culture of the Hyderabad.
Reasons to visit We welcome you to the most exciting tourist attractions and travel destinations which are given below. We take into notice each and every details about recreation, entertainment, adventure and relaxation. By looking at the things to do in a city one can see if that spot offers romance, family fun, sightseeing or adventure. Drill down into the tourist attractions below to find out more about each place and see how the local customs create a unique atmosphere.
Charminar
The Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as the
Taj Mahal is of Agra or the Eiffel Tower is of Paris. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah -
the founder of Hyderabad, built Charminar in 1591 at the centre of the original
city layout. It was said to be built as a charm to ward off a deadly epidemic
raging at that time. Four graceful minarets soar to a height of 48.7 meter above the
ground. Charminar has 45 prayer spaces and a mosque in it. Visitors can view the
architectural splendour inside the Charminar. The monument is illuminated in the
evenings and a pedestrianisation project around the monument is under
implementation.
Golconda
It is one of the famous forts of India. The name
originates from the Telugu words "Golla Konda" meaning "Shepherd's Hill". The
origins of the fort can be traced back to the Yadava dynasty of Deogiri and the
Kakatiyas of Warangal. Golconda was originally a mud fort, which passed to the
Bahmani dynasty and later to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D.
The first three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda, over a span of 62 years. The
fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces, ingenious water supply system and the
famous Fateh Rahben gun, one of the cannons used in the last siege of Golconda
by Aurangzeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell.
Qutb Shahi Tombs
The tombs of the legendary Qutb Shahi kings lie about a
kilometre away from Banjara Darwaza of the Golconda Fort. Planned and built by
the Qutb Shahis themselves, these tombs are said to be the oldest historical
monuments in Hyderabad. They form a large group and stand on a raised platform.
The tombs are built in Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles using grey
granite, with stucco ornamentation, the only one of its kind in the world where
an entire dynasty has been buried at one place.
Mecca Masjid
A two hundred yards southwest of the Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, so named
because the bricks were brought from Mecca to build the central arch. The Qutb
Shahis never finished the building of the mosque, which was completed by
Aurangzeb in 1694. Mecca Masjid is poetry in stone, with a hall measuring 67m
and soaring to a height of 54m. Fifteen graceful arches - five to each of the
three sides, support the roof. Towards the southern end of the mosque lie the
marble graves of members of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
Hussainsagar Lake
Excavated in 1562 A.D. by Hussain Shah Wali during the time
of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, the lake has a promenade that is a busy thoroughfare
today. Boating and water sports are a regular feature in the Hussainsagar. One
of the World's tallest monolithic statues of the Buddha stands on the 'Rock of
Gibraltar', in the middle of the lake.
Shopping
One can also look forward to buy some beautiful traditional
saris famous all over the country. The Charminar area of Hyderabad is the hub of
shops, it is surrounded by the famous Lad Bazaar and the Pearl Bazaar.
Festive Celebrations
The local festivals Batkamma and Batkamma Panduga are
specially celebrated in the Telangana region. Some of the religious festivals
celebrated here are Diwali, Pongal, Ugadi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Id and others. The
state festivals organized by the state tourism are also celebrated with great
enthusiasm, some of these are Lumbini festival and the famous Deccan festival. |