Indian Talent, Global Content
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Indian Talent, Global Content |
Cultural Tips for Visitors to Hyderabad
Hyderabad—A Perfect Potpourri of Cultures In case you are planning a holiday, exploring the cultural heritage of Hyderabad is an excellent option. A city of rich cultural heritage, Hyderabad has a long legacy of straddling diverse cultures.
For a long time, it was ruled by the Asaf Jahi dynasty and came to be known as the "city of Nizams." As this dynasty crumbled, the Mughals took over. Today, Hyderabad flourishes in its rich cultural history –a blend of the romantic and the earthy, a potpourri of the old and the new. Hyderabad Facts Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh, India with an area of (Approx.) 217 Sq. Km. Climatically, the city experiences some fairly scorching summers with a max of 420C and some pleasantly mild winters with temperatures ranging from a max of 220C to a min of 120C.
Rain is restricted largely to the monsoon season. The best time to visit Hyderabad is between October and March. The major languages of the land are Urdu, Telugu, Hindi and English. Both Urdu and Telugu have linguistically impacted on each other, giving rise to an Urdu dialect sometimes called Hyderabadi Urdu or Deccani. Located in the heart of the Deccan Plateau, Hyderabad is built on the banks of the Musi River at an altitude of 650m above sea level. In 1908, this river caused much destruction by flooding the city. Under the supervision of India’s greatest engineer Sir M.Vishweshvarayya, two large reservoirs, Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar were constructed to save the city from future devastation by floods. A bustling 400-year-old metropolis with an urban population of approximately 6 million, the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are surrounded by hills, tanks, forests, and huge prehistoric rock formations.
A City of Love and Romance The city's founding goes back to a love legend; a young Muslim prince named Quli hunting in some woods by the Musi came across a dark-eyed Hindu girl named Bhagmati. He fell in love and married her, founded a city in her honor and named it Bhagyanagar. True to the legend, the city blossomed into a synthesis of two cultures. Little wonder then that Hyderabad is reputed as being the city of Love and Joy! Where South meets North With its wealth of culture and traditions, Hyderabad promises to be the experience of a lifetime. Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru described Hyderabad as a “microcosm of Indian culture” and the famous poet Faiz compared it to the “Garden of Eden.” Hyderabad presents a true picture of secularism. “There is no difference between Islam and Kafir for me,” declared Muhammad Quli, “because the basis of all religions is love.” This secularism and composite culture has created the ethos of Hyderabad. Historically, Hyderabad has been the city where the distinct cultural and linguistic traditions of the North and South have met. Established in 1590, Hyderabad’s wealth of history and rich heritage is pretty evident to most tourists and visitors. There are many attractions that capture the cultural depth of the city, including magnificent palaces, museums, temples and mosques. Hyderabad is a melting pot of cultures and this is best evidenced by the Iranians who have settled in the city. There are striking similarities between the Hyderabadi and Iranian cultures. The patronage enjoyed by migrant Iranians during the Nizam era ensured that they settled here permanently. Apparently, the strong cultural similarities influenced the very character of erstwhile Hyderabad. In fact, the city’s design is said to have been inspired by Isfahan, a city in Iran. Iranians insist that the topography of Hyderabad’s icon Charminar, owes its origin to the ‘Char Bagh’ in Isfahan. A Tourist’s Paradise Offering a plethora of worthy structures and sites for visiting, Hyderabad is a sightseer’s dream. Golconda Fort The Golconda Fort built in the16th century on the western part of Hyderabad is pretty famous. The name is supposed to have originated from the words "Golla Konda," which means "Shepherd's Hill" in the Telugu language. World-renowned diamonds like the Kohinoor, the Orloff, Darya-I-Noor, the Pitt and the great table of the Nizam belong to Golconda. The beginnings of the fort can be traced back to the Kakatiyas of Warangal and to the Yadava dynasty. Originally a mud fort, Golconda passed to the Bahmani dynasty and later to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The first three kings of the Qutb Shahi dynasty managed to rebuild Golconda over a span of almost 62 years. The fort is especially famous for its acoustics, factories, palaces, resourceful water supply system and the Fateh Rahben gun, which was used in the last siege of Golconda by Aurangzeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell. To the north of Golconda are the tombs of the celebrated Qutb Shahi kings. These are only about one kilometer away from the Golconda Fort’s Banjara Darwaza. Though the Golconda fort has neither the delicate beauty of Delhi's Red Fort nor the rugged majesty of the Agra Fort, these very stones defied the Mogul invaders from the North. Aurangzeb besieged it for nine long months. Had it not been for the treachery of an overseer who opened a side gate, Golconda would never have been vanquished. Its stones breathe eternal defiance. Now, it is a phantom town rich only in memories of bygone wealth and glory. Charminar Quli Qutb was responsible for building the city’s greatest landmark of the 16th century— the Charminar— an imposing granite and lime-mortar structure notable for its four towers that open out onto four major roads. This was erected as a tribute to a deity for stopping a plague that had threatened to destroy the city. It has a mosque and 45 prayer spaces in it. Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as Taj Mahal is of Agra and the thriving market around it attracts people and merchandise of every description. Mecca Masjid and other masjids Near the Charminar is yet another attraction—the Mecca Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Begun by Muhammad Qutb Shah in 1617 and completed by Aurangzeb in 1694, the Mecca Masjid with its perfect granite finish is sheer poetry in stone. It is a grand edifice with a huge courtyard, capable of accommodating nearly ten thousand men at prayer. The Masjid derives its name from a particular stone brick in the mihrab, which is believed to have been brought from Mecca. Towards the southern end of the mosque lie the marble graves of Nizam Ali Khan and the families of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Other mosques you may like to visit are the Jami Masjid and the Toli Masjid, small and unpretentious structures. The Palaces of Hyderabad The last Nizam built the Falaknuma Palace, which housed the most expensive art objects, tapestries and carpets, in addition to the largest single-man collection of diamonds. Here, the Nizam had received their Majesties, the late King George V and King Edward VIII of England. An Italian architect was responsible for the design of this magnificent royal structure situated on a hill south of the old city. It was essentially a holiday home for the Nizam and his court. Some of the old palaces of Hyderabad have been restored as museums. Old mansions, known as havelis, have been turned into marriage halls, and a few house government offices. One old palace, the Devan Devdi, which housed the Salar Jung Museum, is now a lively supermarket. Other famous palaces include the Chowmukha palace, built after the Shah Palace of Teheran, and originally used as the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty; the Chowmahalla Palace which was started in 1750 but completed only in 1857; and the Regency Mansion, yet another dream in stone built in 1803 by James Kirkpatrick, who married a Hyderabadi girl and built for her the Rang Mahal—a suite of rooms in native style. The Museums of Hyderabad Hyderabad is also renowned for its many museums— one of the most famous being the Salar Jung museum. Housing an exquisite collection of artifacts and antiques, this museum by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III is probably one of the biggest one-man collections. Objects d'art include Moghal miniatures, Chinese porcelain, Persian carpets, Japanese lacquer ware, an impressive array of jade daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jahan, Emperor Jahangir and Shah Jahan, the sword of Aurangzeb and many other magnificent collections. Famous sculptures in this collection include the Veiled Rebecca, and Marguerite and Mephistopheles. The Nizam's Museum is located in the stately Purani Haveli, the palace acquired in the year 1750 by the second Nizam. It showcases gifts and mementos presented to the last Nizam on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee Celebration in 1937. A 1930 Rolls Royce, Packard and a Mark V Jaguar are among the vintage cars displayed. There is also an interesting collection of models made in silver of all the prominent buildings in the city. Art lovers will love visiting the Andhra Pradesh State Museum. Located in the scenic Public Gardens, it houses some of the most unique antique and art collections in the country. Built in 1920 by the Nizam VII, the building is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The museum features a Buddhist gallery, a Brahmanical and Jain gallery, an Arms and Armour gallery, a Numismatics gallery, Ajanta gallery and many, many more. Next to the State Museum is the Contemporary Art Museum. The Science Museum in Hyderabad is a tribute to the advancement of science and technology in India. Other Famous Tourist Spots Yet another place you don’t want to miss is the Birla Planetarium—one of India's most modern planetariums and the first of its kind in the country. Equipped with advanced technology from Japan, it is built on the Naubat Pahad adjacent to the Kala Pahad. Visitors have also evinced keen interest in the Husain Sagar Lake, a large artificial lake lying between Hyderabad and Secunderbad. It was built about 1550 by Ibrahim Qutb Shah in gratitude to Husain Shah Wali, who had cured him of a disease. Naubat Pahad, a hilltop crowned by the Birla temple, affords lovely views of the city. Also popular is the shimmering, ethereal temple of Lord Venkateshwara, built in sculpted white marble on Kala Pahad. The idol in the temple is a replica of the one at Tirupati. In the old days, royal firmans (announcements) were read to the people to the beat of drums. The Bagh-I-Aam stretches below this hillock where the State Legislative Assembly building stands. Yet another place of worship is the Chilkur Balaji, one of the city’s most popular Hindu temples and also one of the oldest in Telengana. Its construction dates back to the period of Akkanna and Madanna. The deity is Lord Sri Venkateshwara. Among the newer additions to Hyderabad’s grand buildings are the Osmania University, founded in 1918, and one of the oldest universities of India. Named after Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan, the university buildings are truly magnificent, and a great example of the Indo-Saracenic school of architecture. Nature lovers will love visiting the Nehru Zoological Park, which spans 300 lush green acres. One of the biggest zoos in India, it has over 250 species of animals and birds, most of which are preserved in an environment that closely resembles their own natural habitats. The crocodile hatchery is very informative for the young and the curious. Warangal is another place near Hyderabad worth visiting. Its thousand-pillar temple, a specimen of the Chalukya architecture is world-renowned. Then, there is Bidar with its palaces, mosques, baths, schools and tombs within a strong fortified area. Nagarjunakonda around Hyderabad is often visited for its Buddhist influence. Sculpture, monasteries, and amphitheatres feature among the remains here. If you’re traveling from Hyderabad to Secunderabad, don’t forget to visit the Ramoji Film City, the largest film studio in the world. Other incredible sights include the colossal statue of Buddha in the middle of the Hussain Sagar Lake, the Botanical Gardens, Lumbini Park and the NTR Gardens. At Madhapur is an Arts and Crafts Village, Shilparamam. Found beyond the Jubliee Hills, it is one of the more recent attractions in Hyderabad. A village spanning 30 acres of land, it houses some of the most unique art and craft items in the country. A Shopper’s Delight It has been said that much of the splendor of Hyderabad has gone on sale. Grand crystal chandeliers, jades, rubies and even the brocades that come from the palace of a nabob in Hyderabad have reached far and wide through auctions. It is said that what remains of the city are only the subtle vestiges of the historic culture. But a city would not live 400 summers if all it had were memories! Hyderabad is not just for the dreamer, it is also a haven for the enthusiastic shopper! The pearls of Hyderabad are extremely popular. The love of Nizams for pearls and diamonds are still evident from the thriving trade carried on to this day. You will typically find the pearl merchants around Charminar, in the center of the old city, offering customers tea and biscuits before selling their pearls from Basra in the Persian Gulf. Bidriware, a type of encrusted metalwork is also a great souvenir option, while the kat saris are an irresistible buy for all the women holidaying in the city. The glimmering Lad Bazaar, named after a prince's beloved, is famous for its lacquered bangles studded with semi-precious stones. In another alley with dimmer lights and fewer people, is the Chor Bazaar. Lad Bazaar, a narrow lane forking off Charminar, is replete with souvenirs that please the eye and ear: old spices, herbs and perfumes, silver and gold laces, floral silk quilts for bridal beds, gold turbans for grooms. Moti Gali, another little alley filled with tiny shops, and glass jars labeled with ancient Persian medical names. Especially famous is the ''Gul-khand,'' made of fresh rose petals and sugar. Buying books is also a fascinating experience in Hyderabad as the booksellers quote Urdu verses while introducing the new books on sale! Festivals in Hyderabad Some interesting festivals spread across the year can help you decide exactly when to visit the city. Hyderabad has a reasonably impressive calendar of festivals with some being exclusive to the city and others celebrated across the entire country. In January, there is the annual music and dance festival, the Makara Sankranti and the Kite Festival. The Deccan Festival held in February celebrates the city’s cultural nuances. The Indian New Year celebration known as the Ugadi festival in April is definitely one of the city’s most lively periods and an ideal time during which to schedule a trip. The Mrigasira Festival is a rather curious event, where thousands of asthma sufferers descend upon the city to eat a special fish preparation that is supposed to cure the disease. Lumbini Festival is a three-day affair that focuses on paying homage to Gautama Buddha. One of Hyderabad's most popular public carnivals is the annual immersion of the idols of the Indian god, Lord Ganesh. Usually, this happens about 10 days after the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on Ananta Chaturdashi (locally known as the Ganesh Nimajjnanam). Bonalu is another vernacular festival, celebrated with great fervour. Another is the procession of Muharram which takes place every year. While this event is mourned throughout the Shia Muslim world, particularly in the old city, Hyderabad is known for its grand procession in which participants sacrifice their own blood by hitting their heads, chests and backs with sharp edged weapons. Attire Women of all cultures and faiths in Hyderabad typically wear either the sari, the traditional Indian dress, or the Shalwar kameez. A large percentage of Muslim women in the city wear either the burqa or the hijab. The traditional Hyderabadi garb for women are the Khara Dupatta and the Shalwar kameez , and for men, it is the Sherwani. Traveling to and within Hyderabad Hyderabad is easy to get to, having its own domestic and international airport. It is well connected to all parts of the country by air, rail and road. Once in the city, getting around is easy as there are a number of good bus services, a large number of motor-rickshaws and reliable taxi services. Hyderabadi Cuisine Food is another great reason to visit the city. Dining is an elaborate ritual in Hyderabad. Hyderabadi cuisine is a blend of Mughal, Persian and Telugu cuisine. Hyderabad cuisine was birthed by carefully mellowing and nurturing the typical Mughalai flavors with a blend of spices. Hyderabadi Biryani is an iconic dish of the region. Kabab, haleem and Nahari are the other must-try delicacies of Hyderabad. For the vegetarians, there is Bagara Baingan, Mirch-ka-salan, and Tomato kut. “Chota Samosa" made out of Onions are a specialty of Iranian hotels. Other delectable and popular Iranian cuisine includes the fine biscuit, the world-famous Osmania biscuits and the "Irani chai." Accommodation and Lodging Heritage Hotels are a great option while considering your stay. Dining in a Heritage Hotel could prove to be one of your most cherished experiences. Hotels are located at a suitable distance from the various sightseeing and important entertainment districts of the city. Many of these hotels also arrange for sightseeing tours across Hyderabad. Also heritage Hotels will allow you to immerse yourself more fully in the magic that is Hyderabad! So, the next time you feel the need for a break, remember the potpourri of cultures that Hyderabad has to offer. This is definitely one trip you’ll cherish. Chillibreeze's disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. —About our writer: Chithra writes for chillibreeze. 
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