Places to visit in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in India. The locals call it Bhagyanagaram and indeed people from various parts of this state come here to make a fortune. This city never sleeps and is always abuzz with activity. The rich Nizam culture and grand Telugu culture blended together and made this city an abode of many monuments of historical significance. The skyscrapers all along the roads in this metropolis remind you that it is the nucleus for the business of many multinational companies whose posh corporate culture is evident in its state-of-theart infrastructure. This wonderful city homes many worth-visiting places which guarantee a host of sweet memories for the tourists. Charminar: If you ask me to associate one landmark with Hyderabad, it would be Charminar - the gigantic four-minaret structure. It is the first thing that comes to someones mind when they think of Hyderabad. The grand arches, beautiful balconies and numerous spaces meant for prayers bear testimony to the grandeur of Qutub Shahi dynasty. The gorgeous spectacle of illuminated Charminar at night is a feast for the eyes. Golconda Fort: Located to the west of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort stands tall on a 400 feet high granite hill and spreads across 11km of total area. Originally built by the Kakatiyas, it later went into the hands of Qutub Shahi Sultans who developed it further. Though it is in ruins now, it allows you to take a peep into the architectural brilliance of those times. The mesmerising sound-light show and the fascinating acoustic system are its special attractions. Birla Mandir: Atop a 280 feet high hillock, this Lord Venkateswara temple is one of the most important religious places in India. The Birlas built it with pure Rajasthani white

marble. The carvings all over the temple depict the unique amalgamation of Rajasthani and Utkala temple architectures. The 11 feet tall granite deity under a lotus shaped roof enthrals your imagination. When you climb up a lengthy flight of stairs and reach the terrace, what you get is a breathtaking view of the city. More than the historical or architectural significance, it is the peacefulness and the pleasantness of this place that pleases you. Ramoji Film City: Ramoji Rao, a film producer, built it in 1992. It can be said that the inauguration of RFC added a new dimension to the tourism in Hyderabad. It is t-h-e place to go for fun and frolic. It is in no way an exaggeration to say that it is on par with internationally renowned Hollywood film-cities. There are a lot of games for everyone; especially kids will love them. The magic shows, the gardens, the scary house and the star hotels will surely blow your mind. Nehru Zoological Park: Hundreds of bird, reptile and animal species inhabiting 380 acres of land make up this famous zoo. Established way back in 1959, it is one among the top three most visited places in India. Indigenous animals like Indian rhino, Asiatic lion, tiger, orangutan, python, antelope, white peacock, chimpanzee and mynah are found here. Lion safari, closed cage tour and ferry boat ride are its major pulls. Salarjung Museum: To the south of the river Musi, there is this huge National Museum of India spanning over ten acres with 38 galleries. It is named after the Salar Jung family and it houses a diverse collection of sculptures, paintings, textiles, manuscripts, swords, daggers and other antiques. Of all these the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Aurangzebs sword, Tipu Sultans wardrobe and a rare collection of Quran stand out. There is a special clock room with an astounding variety of clocks that is sure to leave the visitors spellbound. There are umpteen places to hang-out in Hyderabad like the Prasads IMAX, the tank-bund, the Lumbini Park, the NTR gardens, etc. Of course, you havent fully experienced Hyderabad unless you have relished the taste of Bawarchi Biryani and Pista House Haleem.