Destination attractions activities in hyderabad india

Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest

The best time of the year to visit South India is in the winter. You avoid the monsoon, the incredible heat of the summer, and you have the opportunity to see the Hindu celebration Diwali- the festival of lights. The skies will be crackling with fireworks and you can join the pyrotechnics with a matchbox and some rockets or firepots of your own. Situated in the middle of the Deccan plateau, Hyderabad is a four hundred year old city of more than five million people, and is also the capital city of the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. The past decade has seen an incredible change in the cleanliness of the city through reforms initiated by the former Chief Minister Chandrababunaidu but you should be prepared for an uncomfortable level of dust and smog.

Much of the cities rich history originates from the time of the Nizams who left behind a legacy of monuments, mostly located in the old city. The four must see attractions in Hyderabad are the Salar Jung Museum, Birla Mandir, Charminar, and Lad Bazaar. The first, Salar Jung Museum, is considered to be one of the worlds largest private collections of art. Centrally located, with over 40,000 artifacts and 50,000 books from all over the world, the museum was declared a national treasure in 1961. The principal architect of this amazing collection is Salar Jung III, who along with Jung II and I scoured the world for priceless treasures. You can easily spend a whole day in the museum but be sure to check out the beautiful textile exhibit along with the clock room. The clock room includes a specimen from Cook & Kelvy of England- every hour a little soldier emerges to strike a gong for each hour that has passed during the day.

Charminar and Lad Bazaar are within walking distance of each other. Charminar is the symbol of the city and was built in honor of the eradication of the plague in 1591. Composed of four minarets that reach a height of 181ft, it is a monument to the distinct architectural style of the Quatab Shahi period. Directly to the right stands the Lad Bazaar, which means indulgence! Here you will find an amazing and colorful assortment of glass and lac bangles in the shops of over four hundred and fifty merchants. You will also find henna, cosmetics, and other ways to indulge your hankerings for personal beautification. Southwest and a hundred yards away from Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, one of the worlds largest mosques, which took 77 years to complete and employed over 8,000 masons.

Another religious site that can be seen from all over the city is the sparkling marble gem on the hill called Kala Pahad, the Birla Mandir. Built by the Birla Foundation, a group of industrialists who have built several temples all over India, this specific one is built of gleaming white marble from Rajasthan and was consecrated in 1976. For a relaxing and tranquil evening overlooking the Hussain Sagar Lake, take a trip to the temple and sit down on the fine polished marble steps and enjoy the view.