Sunday, February 22, 2009

Falaknuma Palace


Falaknuma Palace, located in Falaknuma, 5km.from Charminar, built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Ulmara, the then Prime Minister of Hyderabad. An Italian architect was designed this palace and the foundation for the construction was laid on 3rd March 1884. The palace took 9 years to complete the construction, totally made with Italian marble and it covers a total area of 9,39,712-sq-metre. It was purchased by Nizam VI in 1897 and was used as a royal guesthouse has a commanding view of the entire city. It was sure that the Falaknuma palace was gifted to the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad, Mehboob Ali Khan by the generous Nawab.One of the highlight's of the palace is the state reception room, whose ceiling is decorated with frescoes and gilded relief's. The ballroom contains a two-ton manually operated organ said to be the only one of its kind in the world. This apart the palace has as many as 220 lavishly decorated rooms and 22 spacious halls. The palace has some of the finest treasures collected by the Nizam.
Best Time to Visit : October to March
Unique Feature : Jade collection
Visiting : Occasion basis

Shilparamam

art galleries
Shilparamam is an arts and crafts village set up in an area spanning 30 acres of land. The place is famous for its annual festivals and bazaars. It provides ample space for the artistes and artisans from across the country to meet at one place to exchange their views with each another and also with customers.
Timing : 11.00 A.M. to 8.00 P.M.
Ticket : For Adults - Rs. 10/- (approx.)
For Children - Rs. 5/- (approx.)

Mecca Masjid

masjid
The Mecca Masjid is placed immediately to the south-west of Charminar on th road to Shalibanda. The works on this mosque commenced in 1614 by Sultan Muhammad Qutb Shah (the sixth Qutb Shahi ruler) and was completed by Aurangazeb in 1693. Built in local granite, it is one of the largest mosques in India and the principal one of the city. The arched gallery, which is a later addition at the south end of the mosque, consists the tombs of all the Nizams from 1803. The mosque building is 225 feet long, 180 feet wide and 75 feet high. This is the biggest mosque in Hyderabad. Its name is derived from the Grand Mosque at Mecca on which it is patterned. The hall is 67 metres by 54 metres and 23 metres high. The roof is supported by 15 arches, five on each of the three sides. The western side is blocked by a high wall to provide the Mehrab. At each end are two huge octagonal columns made out of a single piece of granite each and topped by an arched gallery that is crowned by a dome. This mosque can easily accommodate 10,000 people at a time.

Golconda Fort

golconda fort
The 13th century Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya kings. The existing structure was later built by Qutub Shahi Kings into a massive fort with granite walls having eight gates and 87 bastions spread upto 7 kms, in circumference over a span of 62 years. Golconda Fort, popularly known in Telugu as "Golla Konda", which means "Shepherd's Hill", has an exotic story behind it. In 1143, on the rocky hill known as 'Mangalavaram', a shepherd boy came across an image and conveyed to the Kakatiya king, who was ruling at that time. The 10km long road from Golconda to outer Hyderabad was a fantastic market selling jewellery, diamonds, pearls and other gems, popular in all over the world.
Attractions within Golconda Fort : Taramathi Gana Mandir, Premathi Nritya Mandir, Sound And Light Show.
Best Time to Visit : September & March
Fare : Adult - Rs120/-, Child - Rs100/-.
Opened : 7.00 A.M. to 8.00 P.M. (Daily)

Birla Mandir

birla
Birla Mandir, an enchanting temple dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, the Birla Mandir stands in all its grandeur on the hilltop of Kalapahad. Made of pure white marble from Rajasthan, the Birla Mandir overlooks the serene and placid waters of the Hussain Sagar lake. The magnificent shrine offers a fantastic panoramic view of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.Beautiful scenes from the great epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata are finely sculpted in marble.
The temple is open for visitors from
7 a.m. to 12 noon
3 p.m. to 9 p.m. all days of the week.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

charminar

charminar
Charminar is one of the most important landmarks of the city. The monument was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the eradication of plague, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golconda to what now is known as Hyderabad. Legends tell that the emperor Quli Qutb Shah prayed for the end of plague and took the vow to build a mosque on that very place. He ordered the construction of the mosque which became popular as Charminar because of its four characteristic minarets. The top floor of the four-storeyed structure has a mosque which has 45 covered prayer spaces and some open space to accommodate more people in Friday prayers.
Open Weekdays: 0900-1700; Saturdays: 0900-1700