HYDERABAD-mega city..

Hyderabad pronunciation (help•info) or Haydarābād (Telugu:హైదరాబాదు Urdu:حیدر آباد) is the capital city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh. With more than 6 million people (60 lakh), it is India's 6th largest metropolis [1] and the 40th largest metropolitan area in the world. It is known for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its unique characteristic of a meeting point for northern and southern India, and its multi-lingual culture, both geographically and culturally. Hyderabad has always been a place where Hindus and Muslims have co-existed peacefully for centuries. The dialect spoken in Hyderabad and surrounding areas of Telangana is distinct from the dialect of coastal Andhra region. Hyderabad and rest of the Telangana has unique culture of its own in comparison to coastal and Rayalseema regions of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad is also one of the most developed cities in the country and is the emerging IT and biotech hub of India. Hyderabad and Secunderabad are twin cities, separated by Husain Sagar (bound by the 'Tank Bund'), an artificial lake made during the time of Ibrahim Qutb Shah in 1562. The Charminar (Urdu: "Four Minars") monument, built in the center of Hyderabad by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 as a commemoration of the eradication of a plague in the region.

The city of Hyderabad offers a brilliant sight of excellent performing arts such as dance and music. In particular, the traditional Kuchipudi dance is a visual treat and at the same time a glorious stage performance exclusive to Andhra Pradesh. This classical dance explores and presents vignettes from Hindu epics and legendary tales and arranging them into interesting dramatic dance.

The Puppet show is also very famous folk art in the city in which they used shadows to create puppet images for the show. Sometimes real leather puppets are used to narrate and perform the tale from mythological work of art. To produce more attention and interest these puppets shows are accompanied by music. Thus the city provides an opportunity to the visitors to enjoy as well as to enrich themselves about the culture and tradition of the place.



Handicrafts are all the more popular in the city and can be bought at best bargain prices. Places like Charkaman, Mitti-ka-Sher and Laad Bazaar offer a great variety of handicrafts collected from all over the country and major among them are bidriware, hookahs, boxes, jewellery made of black gun-metal inlaid with fine silver wire in exquisite floral and geometric patterns; appliqued patchwork skirts, bags and belts with mirrors and beads, embroidered by the Banjara and Lambadi gypsy tribes; Nirmal lacquerware, brass from Pembarthi, Kondapalli carved toys, leather toys and Warangal carpets. Things like antique kundan and enamel ornaments, temple sarees, old bidriware and exquisite pearls can be obtained from the traders around the Charminar and Laad Bazaar.

Places to visit in Hyderabad

The Charminar

To the centre of the city lies the most wondrous arch known as the Charminar built by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah, in 1591. The reason behind this massive structure is that the ruler thought that it would guard the city from preventing the evil forces from causing plague. With an altitude of about 56m, the arch becomes an imposing square gateway with four minarets and adding more to it is that it is illuminated every evening.



The Mecca Masjid

Close to the Charminar is the grand Mecca Majid with a facility even to accomadate up to 10000 worshippers thus making it one of the biggest in the world. Though planned earlier in the year 1614 during the reign of Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah it was completed years later in 1687 when Emperor Aurangzeb annexed the Golconda Kingdom. It is a must see place for the tourists.



Salar Jung Museum

Another centre of attraction of the city is the Salar Jung Museum referred as the world's largest one man collection exhibited in 35 rooms that includes about 35,000 exhibits. Mir Yusaf Ali Khan Salar Jung the 3rd, the Prime Minister of Nizam was the man behind its formation. The museum includes rare collections such as jade, marble statues, rare manuscripts, Persian miniature paintings and Chinese porcelain.

The Golconda fort, one of the best built architecture of the country is located within a few distances from the city. The fort is identified to the times of the Qutab Shahi Kings but many say it belongs to much earlier period when the Yadavas and Kakatiyas were ruling. Towering on a 120 metre high hill, the fort is surrounded and well protected with crenellated ramparts and the strong gates that have several iron spikes to prevent the elephants of the invading army from destroying the fort. The well planned acoustics is the unique feature of the fort which enables even a clap produced at the entrance could be heard on top of the hill. With all this amazing structure plans the fort is an outstanding work of engineering. And close by it lining the outer wall is the imperial tombs of the Qutab Shahi rulers erected amidst the beautifully kept gardens.

This zoo is one of the largest in the country containing vast number of animals and birds. Things like prehistoric animal section, toy train, and lion safari are outstanding features of this zoological park.

Built entirely out of white marble, The Birla Mandir is an impressive place to visit. Standing on top of a hill overlooking Hussain Sagar it holds a stunning view.