Hyderabad is the capital city of Andhra Pradesh and is one of the most developed cities in India. It is known for its rich history, culture and architecture. This city has a charm of its own and represents the varied culture of India – a hallmark since the ancient times. Also known as The City of Nizams, Hyderabad is today one of the most developed cities in the country and a modern hub of information technology, ITES, and biotechnology. Secunderabad is the twin city of Hyderabad and is separated by a man-made lake, Hussain Sagar. Secunderabad was founded in the 18th century as a British cantonment and to this date has a large Army presence.
Sultan Quli Qutb Mulk was the founder of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, the ruling family of the Golconda. He fell in love and married a local Banjara girl known as Bhagyamathi and named this city after her. Upon her conversion to Islam, Bhagyamathi changed her name to Hyder Mahal and the new city's name was changed resulting in the eponymous name Hyderabad (literally, "the city of Hyder").
Mughal emperor Aurangzeb captured Hyderabad in 1687 and during this short Mughal rule, the fortune of Hyderabad declined. Soon, the Mughal-appointed governors of the city gained more autonomy. In 1724, Asaf Jah I, who was granted the title Nizam-ul-Mulk ("Governor of the country") by the Mughal emperor, defeated a rival official to establish control over Hyderabad. The rule of the seven Nizams saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Hyderabad has a dry climate. The highest temperature touches 40°C and the lowest drops to 7°C. The best time to visit Hyderabad is any time between October and March.
The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here. Currency can be changed at one of the many banks that offer money changing facilities. ATM's of various banks are located all over the city. Credit/Debit cards are accepted at most of the larger merchant locations, hotels and restaurants.
A tourist visa applicable for the entire country (India) is sufficient.
Help in terms of embassy related issues and other tourist requirements can be found in the state capital city of Hyderabad. Contact the Andhra Pradesh Tourism office at Yatri Nivas, SP Road or the Department of Tourism at Tankbund Road for more tourist information.
By Rail
Hyderabad is well connected to the major towns and cities in India by rail with regular trains like Rajdhani, Faluknuma Exp, Chennai Exp, Bangalore Exp.
By Air
The Airport at Hyderabad handles both domestic and international flights. There are daily domestic flights from all the major cities in India like Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad to Hyderabad. Major International airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, KLM also operate regular flights to Hyderabad.
Charminar – It is the major landmark in Hyderabad with four graceful minarets. It is a mosque of the four minarets that is beautifully lit up in the evenings and a major tourist attraction.
Falaknuma Palace - It is a beautiful and stunning piece of architecture with Louis XIV-style decor, a lavish Mughal ambience, Italian marble staircases and ornate fountains.
Golconda Fort – It is located on the outskirts of the city. Golconda Fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complexes in India.
Chowmahalla Palace - It used to be the seat of Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors.
NTR gardens - This is a leisure spot located beside the IMAX theatre. Situated on 36 acres of land adjoining the Hussain sagar, these gardens provide every kind of entertainment and recreation.
Hussain Sagar – It is a man-made lake that separates the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It is famous also for the 18-metre tall Buddha statue on a platform island called "Rock of Gibraltar" in the middle of the lake and for the Tank Bund and Necklace road, main connecting roads between the twin cities.
Nehru Zoological Park - This zoo, among the largest in India, houses a large variety of animals, birds, nocturnal species, aquatic and amphibian species etc. Located close to this is the Mir Alam Lake, which is proposed to be converted into an Aquarium along the lines of Sentosa, Singapore.
Botanical gardens - These gardens are spread across a sprawling area of 120 acres, housing different varieties of herbs, plants, trees etc. These gardens provide a complete visual treat to the eyes with water bodies, meadows, and rich grasslands - nature at its best.
Ramoji Film City (RFC): It is the world’s largest integrated film studio complex, at nearly 2,000 acres. It is also one of Asia’s most popular tourism and recreation centers.
Salarjung Museum - This museum has is a collection of 35,000 exhibits put together by Mir Yusuf Ali Khan (Salar Jung III). One can find beautiful sculptures, Persian paintings, illuminated manuscripts, weaponry and many other impressive objects.
The Hyderabad cuisine is a blend of Mughal, Persian and Telugu cuisine. Hyderabadi Biryani is an iconic dish of the region. Other culinary delights include Qubani ka Mitha, Double Ka Mitha (a sweet made with bread), Phirni (a sweet vermicelli delicacy eaten during the festival of Deepawali, Nahari Kulche also known as paya and Haleem (a meat dish traditionally eaten during the holy month of Ramzan).
Shopping:
Hyderabad is a delight for shoppers. Lose your self in the lanes and by lanes of the Laad Bazaar and Charminar where you can buy the famous Hyderabadi pearls, beautiful stone studded laquer bangles, finest perfumes and jewellery, rich fabrics, scented oils or musical instruments.
Festivals like Diwali, Eid, New Year, Moharrum and Christmas are celebrated with fanfare among the localities. One of Hyderabad's popular public carnivals is the annual immersion of Lord Ganesh idols after the 10 day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on Ananta Chaturdashi (locally known as the Ganesh Nimajjnanam). Bonalu is another vernacular festival which is celebrated with great fervour. The local festivals are also celebrated with gaiety.
Warangal: Warangal is a city of stone temples and forts and enriching beauty. The legendary city used to be the capital of the Kakatiyas in the 12th to 14th centuries. Its impressive fort was a medieval bastion admired by intrepid vintage travelers and adventurers.
Karimnagar: It is a beautiful town located on the bank of river Manair, a tributary of river Godavari. It is the fourth largest and the most happening city in the Telangana region. It is one of the major business centres and also emerging as an education hub in Andhra Pradesh.
Visakhapatnam: This is an important naval base in India. It is also famous for its Steel Plant. Its natural beauty as reflected in the hills, terrain and beaches is breath-taking.
Hyderabad is a rich cultural city. It is famous for its ethnic melange in terms of the large number of people coming from different faiths, customs and traditions. It is a city that has kept its grace and elegance in tact, and yet is surging ahead in terms of growth and infrastructure.
