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yderabad is the capital and the most populous city of the South Indian state of Andhra
Pradesh. Call it the "City of Pearls", the "City of Nizams" or the "City of Nawabs" and you will be right each time. Hyderabad has a population of nearly 5 million. The twin cities Hyderabad and Secunderabad are collectively known as just Hyderabad outside the state and together they form the sixth largest metropolis in India. Many of the suburbs of Hyderabad were recently merged into the city, now called Greater Hyderabad.
How to Get There:
By Air: Hyderabad is well connected to all parts of the country and internationally by air. The old airport at Begumpet has been returned to the Indian Air Force. Dindigul and Hakimpet are two other Air Force bases in Hyderabad. Hyderabad's new Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is 22 km from the city. The sleek and well-organised airport is the best in India. The elevated expressway to the airport is now open and takes 20 minutes to the city-centre, as against 75-90 minutes earlier. Hyderabad has direct connectivity to many countries. |
Domestic connectivity is excellent with Indian airlines operating from here including Air India, Air India Express, Indian Airlines, Indigo Airlines, Jet Airways, JetLite, Kingfisher Airlines, Paramount and SpiceJet. Air-conditioned buses are run by the airport (Aero Express) to three designated points in Secunderabad (1) Begumpet (Paryatak Bhavan) (2) Secunderabad
(Keyes High School) (3) Hi-Tec City (Opposite Shilparamam) at a fixed price , and two designated
points in the Hyderabad (4) Charminar (City College) (5) Mehdipatnam (Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital) for a different but fixed rate. You can also hire metered air-conditioned radio cabs.
By Rail: Two major railway stations serve the twin cities: Secunderabad and Hyderabad (Nampally), connecting it to the rest of India.
By Road: You can drive to Hyderabad from Bangalore (560 km), from Chennai (752 km) and from Mumbai (800 km) via Pune.
Getting Around: There are many ways to get around in Hyderabad: by bus, auto, taxi and hired car. Local trains called MMTS are now available, starting with a few places in Hyderabad. The frequency needs to increase, which will happen once more are procured. It is a speedy mode of travel to the stations it covers, and the cheapest option as well.
Where to Stay: The cuisine of Andhra Pradesh is reputedly one of the spiciest of all Indian cuisine. Hyderabad exemplifies this issue to the T(ongue). Rice is the staple food and is used in
a wide variety of ways. Meat, vegetables and greens are prepared with different spices (masala) into a variety of strongly flavoured dishes. Lamb, chicken and fish are the most widely used meats in the non-vegetarian dishes. The biryani is perhaps the most distinctive and popular of Hyderabadi cuisine. Take it from me, you need guts of iron and a tongue of steel to get past the chillies. The most famous Hyderabadi dish is the Hyderabadi Dum Biryani. Dum refers to the baking process where Basmati rice and meat or vegetables are mixed in a pot and heated for a long time. Today, Biryani is also made using vegetables, chicken, seafood and beef. The beef Biryani is known as Kalyani Biryani, available at many small eateries in the city. Hyderabadi Haleem, available only during Ramzan and Mirchi ka salan — spicy chilly gravy, a tasty accompaniment to any rice item are two other specials.
What to See: Charminar, or "Four minarets"; this structure was built at the very spot at which Quli Qutb Shah prayed for the end to the plague epidemic. The Charminar has long been the icon of Hyderabad; At the very bottom of one of the minar, there is a Hindu temple;
Chowmahalla Palace, near Charminar; Falaknuma Palace, the most opulent of the Nizam's palaces; The Golconda Fort was the first capital of the Qutb Shahi kingdom; The Nizam's Museum, home to the famous wardrobe of Mahbub Ali Pasha, who never wore the same thing
twice. It is the world's longest wardrode, built in two levels with a hand-cranked wooden elevator in place; Mecca Masjid, Southwest of the Char Minar; Salar Jung Museum, housing a collection of the Nizam's jewellery; Qutb Shahi Tombs; Balaji Temple; Mahankali Temple; St Joseph's Cathedral; Hussain Sagar Lake or Tank Bund and Osman Sagar.
Where to Eat: Kebab-e-Bahar, Taj Banjara, Banjara Hills; Ullaasa; Tulips - The Coffee Shop, famous for its midnight biryani and buffet; Southern Spice, rated for Andhra delicacies like Ragi Sangati and Gongura Mamsam; 4 Seasons, Toli Chowki, Hyderabad. Serves multiple cuisines, but fancied for its Arabic and Lebanese food.
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