Hyderabad

The Charminar has become the global icon of Hyderabad. It is four centuries old and the masterpiece is a source of true pride for Hyderabad. It was built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah to celebrate the end of a deadly plague. It is said that Quil Qutb Shahi prayed and promised that if the plague were to end he would build a mosque. The structure was built as a monument and a mosque and the literal meaning of Charminar is Four Gates. There are 149 steps that lead you to the top where you can see surrounding Hyderabad in all it’s glory. The architectural work on this building is phenomenal and the stucco work is presented in the form of beautiful flowers and animals. The city of Hyderabad was actually divided equally into four divisions around the Charminar.

Biryani was actually brought to India from Iran by Iranian travellers and merchants. However, according to one theory, biryani came to Hyderabad after Aurangzeb invaded the south. It soon exploded and became a national dish when the royal kitchens of the Asaf Jahis and their rich culinary extravaganzas started to serve the dish. It is said that Hindu bookkeepers were employed to preserve and pass down the secret recipes, so that they wouldn't be tempted to corrupt the way it was made. Fortunately, this tradition did not survive and as a result, tourists on holiday in Hyderabad have the pleasure of sampling one of the many varieties of original recipes. Biryani is a rice based recipe made with spices together with meat, fish or vegetables. On your holiday to Hyderabad, biryani is an absolute must. You will off course hear everyone boasting that their Biryani is the best. In reality- they all taste good, and the best thing to do is eat as many different varieties as you can.

Hyderabad has many royal palaces to visit but one of the most popular is the Taj Falaknuma Palace. This palace sits on top of a 2000 foot hill and has amazing views of the whole city. This palace is unique because it has a rare combination of Indian, Italian and Tudor architecture. The library in particular is one of the most interesting rooms as it holds original collections of Quran manuscripts from all over the world. There is also a world famous jade collection. Another interesting tale from the Taj Falahnuma Palace is that the Begum’s room is completely decorated in silk because one time the Nizam got a wood splinter from the cupboard. This palace should not be missed during a holiday to Hyderabad as the design-mix is one of a kind.  

The city of Hyderabad is well connected to the rest of the country by road, rail and air. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is about 22 Km from the city. Domestic flights from all major cities are available everyday from various destinations in the country. The roads in Hyderabad are well connected all over the country. So taking a private car or a taxi is a good way to travel. The trains are also very good and connect almost all major cities with Hyderabad. There are also other ways to travel around, for example rickshaws and motorbikes.

You could either time your visits to coincide with important Indian festivals, for Instance Diwali (between October and November) or Nivratri (December). These will give you a thrilling taste of both the rich Indian culture and a chance to enjoy the varied local cuisines.

The alternative would be planning your holiday to Hyderabad on the weather. Since the weather is generally hot, many people prefer visiting during the cooler months between October and March.

Winter

October to February brings a mix of rain and cooler weather. The temperatures range between 14 – 29 degrees Celsius making it the perfect time to visit historical monuments and other touring destinations.

Summer

March to May brings very hot summers with May and April being the hottest. Most people prefer staying indoors. Only the bold would venture out, and only in the mornings or night as the afternoons are very hot and exhausting.

Monsoon

The monsoons kick in from June and hold until September. The heavy rain and high humidity makes it almost impossible to tour the city without getting wet. This is the low tourist season and hotel rates will be low. You could have your Hyderabad holiday during this season if you are on a tight budget.