Hyderabad is a place I call home and yet on every visit, I am like a first time tourist, curious to discover the city anew. This trip was no different.
Let’s begin with the beginning — Charminar. The 422 year old structure is located in the heart of Hyderabad — its Old City.
The monument built by the founder of Hyderabad Mumammad Quli Qutab Shah in 1591 apparently to ward off recurring plague is a sight to behold. For many of us from the city, growing up around the Charminar and the hustling and bustling market circling it makes for the best childhood memories. However, the desire to get up, close and personal with the iconic structure was always there. So this time, we did it!
The 55-step climb to the first floor through an extremely narrow passage is an odyssey of claustrophobia. It is an ordeal and surely not for everyone. But once you get there, you immediately realize it was all worth it. The view from the top encompasses the surrounding Lad Bazar, the Makkah Masjid and the lanes dotted with colorful stalls selling everything from gems and jewels to shoes and belts.
The Charminar’s inner dome that soars to over 50 feet is a visual treat. Earlier, people were allowed to the topmost part of the minaret, but after a couple of suicides over a period of time, the access has been stopped.
The price you pay for climbing up the Charminar (Rs15 for Indian nationals and Rs200 for foreigners) is nothing for the exhilarating experience it offers. If collecting coins is your hobby, you will find vendors selling ancient coins around the Charminar, and be sure to check out the surrounding bazar for colorful bangles and pretty trinkets. Top tip: Feel free to bargain.
While in Old City, we couldn’t have missed the Salar Jung Museum, home to an extraordinary selection of artifacts dating as far back as the first century. It is the collection of the Salar Jung family, members of which served as prime ministers to the Nizams, rulers of erstwhile Hyderabad.
Created in 1951, the museum is situated on the southern bank of the Musi River in Hyderabad and displays sculptures, paintings, carvings, Qur’anic manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, carpets, clocks, and furniture from all over the world, including the Middle East. You can opt for an audio guide available at the entrance for a detailed tour of the museum. Don’t miss: One of the only four copies of The Veiled Rebecca and a 19th century musical clock Salar Jung bought from Cook and Kelvey of England. You do not have to be an art connoisseur to enjoy this place. The museum is a reminder of the vast wealth and priceless heritage of Hyderabad, much of which has been lost today.
The magnificent Taj Falaknuma has been on my bucket list for long and I am delighted to tick it off the list after this trip. I have just one thing to say about this place: If you haven’t been to the Falaknuma Palace, you haven’t seen Hyderabad. Such was the surreal ambiance, in the backdrop of a majestic palace, offering the most spectacular city view.
The restoration of the former residence of the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mehboob Ali Pasha, into a luxury palace hotel, was done keeping intact much of the room decor and furniture, thus providing a glimpse into 19th century splendor. The work began in 2000, and in 2010 the renovated hotel opened to guests.
Falaknuma means ‘mirror of the sky’ in Urdu, and perched 2,000 feet atop the city, it is indeed what its name stands for.
Right from when we entered the palace hotel, the staff made us feel like royals. We were taken on a palace tour by the resident historian, who by throwing light on the history of the palace took us back to the glorious Nizam era. My favorite room was the well-preserved Nizam’s library, which is inspired by the one at Windsor Castle. It is home to some 6,000 rare volumes including Qur’anic manuscripts and the first edition of the Titanic.
Another unique feature, the Nizam’s famous dining hall can seat 101 guests on its table, making it the worlds’s longest and most luxurious dining table.
Evenings are especially spectacular here when the palace is lit up in all its glory, its corridors scented with oud and soft music playing in the background. There are two restaurants: Adaa, serving authentic Hyderabadi cuisine ‘straight from the Nizams’ kitchens’, and Celeste, which specializes in European cuisine. The choice was obvious to us, we wanted to eat and be served in true Nizami fashion and we were not a bit disappointed.
What makes it all so special is that they make you live the life of a royal, transferring you to another time and era.
The seventh and the last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, who used the palace to entertain mostly English guests, was regarded as the wealthiest man on earth. As recently as 2008, he was rated fifth highest on the Forbes All-Time Wealthiest List.
To experience the royal grandeur at Taj Falaknuma, be sure to make a reservation in advance as walk-in guests are not allowed.
Our next stop was the world’s largest film city, the 1500 acre Ramoji Film City located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, a stunning blend of man made wonders and nature’s beauty. The film city caters to the requirements of Bollywood as well as regional film industries.
From the minute you step inside the place, there is never a dull moment. A bus takes you around many of the beautiful sets, which include sets of jail, airport, railway station, monuments such as the Taj Mahal, forests, extravagant buildings and much more. Our bus guide was witty and informative.
One of the main attractions is the live film shooting where members from the audience are selected to play different roles and get to learn the various techniques involved in the shooting of a sequence. There are free rides for both kids and adults, restaurants, a bird park, an evening carnival and a live stunt show and dance show among others draws. If you are lucky, you will also get to see a live shooting in progress. The film city basically brings to fore the behind the scene experience of cinema in a fun and engaging way.
Zoos are generally thought to be only kids places but Hyderabad’s Nehru Zoological Park is a popular picnic spot for everyone.
Spread over 380 acres, the Nehru Zoo Park boasts of over 1,500 species of birds, animals and reptiles and runs different safari trips every day, such as Lion Safari, Tiger Safari, Bear Safari, and Butterfly Safari.
Although there is the option of battery operated vehicles, which take visitors for a ride around the park, the zoo is best enjoyed on foot, especially when the weather is pleasant.
Let’s begin with the beginning — Charminar. The 422 year old structure is located in the heart of Hyderabad — its Old City.
The monument built by the founder of Hyderabad Mumammad Quli Qutab Shah in 1591 apparently to ward off recurring plague is a sight to behold. For many of us from the city, growing up around the Charminar and the hustling and bustling market circling it makes for the best childhood memories. However, the desire to get up, close and personal with the iconic structure was always there. So this time, we did it!
The 55-step climb to the first floor through an extremely narrow passage is an odyssey of claustrophobia. It is an ordeal and surely not for everyone. But once you get there, you immediately realize it was all worth it. The view from the top encompasses the surrounding Lad Bazar, the Makkah Masjid and the lanes dotted with colorful stalls selling everything from gems and jewels to shoes and belts.
The Charminar’s inner dome that soars to over 50 feet is a visual treat. Earlier, people were allowed to the topmost part of the minaret, but after a couple of suicides over a period of time, the access has been stopped.
The price you pay for climbing up the Charminar (Rs15 for Indian nationals and Rs200 for foreigners) is nothing for the exhilarating experience it offers. If collecting coins is your hobby, you will find vendors selling ancient coins around the Charminar, and be sure to check out the surrounding bazar for colorful bangles and pretty trinkets. Top tip: Feel free to bargain.
While in Old City, we couldn’t have missed the Salar Jung Museum, home to an extraordinary selection of artifacts dating as far back as the first century. It is the collection of the Salar Jung family, members of which served as prime ministers to the Nizams, rulers of erstwhile Hyderabad.
Created in 1951, the museum is situated on the southern bank of the Musi River in Hyderabad and displays sculptures, paintings, carvings, Qur’anic manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, carpets, clocks, and furniture from all over the world, including the Middle East. You can opt for an audio guide available at the entrance for a detailed tour of the museum. Don’t miss: One of the only four copies of The Veiled Rebecca and a 19th century musical clock Salar Jung bought from Cook and Kelvey of England. You do not have to be an art connoisseur to enjoy this place. The museum is a reminder of the vast wealth and priceless heritage of Hyderabad, much of which has been lost today.
The magnificent Taj Falaknuma has been on my bucket list for long and I am delighted to tick it off the list after this trip. I have just one thing to say about this place: If you haven’t been to the Falaknuma Palace, you haven’t seen Hyderabad. Such was the surreal ambiance, in the backdrop of a majestic palace, offering the most spectacular city view.
The restoration of the former residence of the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mehboob Ali Pasha, into a luxury palace hotel, was done keeping intact much of the room decor and furniture, thus providing a glimpse into 19th century splendor. The work began in 2000, and in 2010 the renovated hotel opened to guests.
Falaknuma means ‘mirror of the sky’ in Urdu, and perched 2,000 feet atop the city, it is indeed what its name stands for.
Right from when we entered the palace hotel, the staff made us feel like royals. We were taken on a palace tour by the resident historian, who by throwing light on the history of the palace took us back to the glorious Nizam era. My favorite room was the well-preserved Nizam’s library, which is inspired by the one at Windsor Castle. It is home to some 6,000 rare volumes including Qur’anic manuscripts and the first edition of the Titanic.
Another unique feature, the Nizam’s famous dining hall can seat 101 guests on its table, making it the worlds’s longest and most luxurious dining table.
Evenings are especially spectacular here when the palace is lit up in all its glory, its corridors scented with oud and soft music playing in the background. There are two restaurants: Adaa, serving authentic Hyderabadi cuisine ‘straight from the Nizams’ kitchens’, and Celeste, which specializes in European cuisine. The choice was obvious to us, we wanted to eat and be served in true Nizami fashion and we were not a bit disappointed.
What makes it all so special is that they make you live the life of a royal, transferring you to another time and era.
The seventh and the last Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, who used the palace to entertain mostly English guests, was regarded as the wealthiest man on earth. As recently as 2008, he was rated fifth highest on the Forbes All-Time Wealthiest List.
To experience the royal grandeur at Taj Falaknuma, be sure to make a reservation in advance as walk-in guests are not allowed.
Our next stop was the world’s largest film city, the 1500 acre Ramoji Film City located on the outskirts of Hyderabad, a stunning blend of man made wonders and nature’s beauty. The film city caters to the requirements of Bollywood as well as regional film industries.
From the minute you step inside the place, there is never a dull moment. A bus takes you around many of the beautiful sets, which include sets of jail, airport, railway station, monuments such as the Taj Mahal, forests, extravagant buildings and much more. Our bus guide was witty and informative.
One of the main attractions is the live film shooting where members from the audience are selected to play different roles and get to learn the various techniques involved in the shooting of a sequence. There are free rides for both kids and adults, restaurants, a bird park, an evening carnival and a live stunt show and dance show among others draws. If you are lucky, you will also get to see a live shooting in progress. The film city basically brings to fore the behind the scene experience of cinema in a fun and engaging way.
Zoos are generally thought to be only kids places but Hyderabad’s Nehru Zoological Park is a popular picnic spot for everyone.
Spread over 380 acres, the Nehru Zoo Park boasts of over 1,500 species of birds, animals and reptiles and runs different safari trips every day, such as Lion Safari, Tiger Safari, Bear Safari, and Butterfly Safari.
Although there is the option of battery operated vehicles, which take visitors for a ride around the park, the zoo is best enjoyed on foot, especially when the weather is pleasant.
