Hyderabad-City of Pearls

Hyderabad, capital city of Telangana/Andhra Pradesh in Southern India. Known for natural pearls, city of Nizams, delicious Biryani,Hitech city.

Expenses

Rs 25,000/- including flights expenses and accommodation.

Best Time to visit

Mid-november to Mid-february
I went there on New year'19 for excursion of 03days and weather was like Spring of Northern India unlike chilling cold.

How to reach

By Air:Nearest Airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport which is approx 32km from Hitech city.
By Rail:Hyderabad Deccan Railway Station(or Nampally station) or Secunderabad Junction
#I took flight(3395/-) from Kolkata to Hyderabad.

Top Places

1. Golconda fort
2. Charminar
3. Lumbini Park
4. NTR Gardens
5. Birla Mandir
6. Shilpramam
7. Ramoji film city(I missed that due to time constraint)

Day1:Golconda-Charminar
I reached Hyderabad at midnight and booked cab(821/-) from airport to Hitech City.Started my day with typical South Indian breakfast(Idli, Sambhar with coconut chutney;bread butter with coffee) and went for Golconda fort excursion.

Golconda Fort(entry fee 15/-)
Located at a distance of 10km from Hitech city, founded in approximately 12th century by the Kakatiya kings and later built by Qutub Shahi Kings. Fort is in ruined condition  unlike well maintained Agra forts or Rajasthan forts.I got tired, so many stairs to reach top point of fort..huh.

staircase leading to top  of fort

Stone Arc ruins

The Golconda fort used to have a vault where famous Koh-i-noor and Hope diamonds were once stored.

Charminar(entry fee 5/-)
Situated in heart of old city of Hyderabad, is an architectural icon of the city equivalent to Taj Mahal of Agra. Being a islamic monument, delicate floral ornamentations on ceiling, balconies and outside speaks of Hindus.It was much crowded area with so many street shops and vendors.On the top floor of Charminar there is a mosque which is believed to be the oldest mosque of Hyderabad city.It can be reached via 146 winding steps which was quite suffocating spiral structure.

interior of Charminar

There are lots of shops outside Charminar and famous markets such as Laad Bazaar for Lac(resin) bangles, Pearl market, Osmania bazaar for tea lovers with famous osmania cookies etc.

View of laad bazaar, pearl market from top of Charminar

I bought 3nos of pearl necklace set from one of the Govt. approved shops.Always purchase pearl from such shops as they provide certificate of autheniticity of pearl. Do not miss lac bangle set as designs were so unique and beautiful at much lesser price as compared to other region.

Day 2:Lumbini-NTR

Lumbini park(entry fee 20/-)
 Children's park with swings surrounding the famous standing statue of Lord Buddha and Hussain Sagar lake, largest artificial lake of India.One can reach Lord Buddha statue via boat in 15min as it is situated in the middle of lake.Various type of boats were available such as Speed Boat(350/-), Mechanised boat(55/-), Bhagamati boat(110/-)
I went for Bhagamati boat as its a small cruise type boat with 50-60 passenger capacity.They give only 15min at Buddha platform to have clicks and view.

jacket packed

view of statue from boat

Statue was carved out of a single granite rock by 40 sculptors.Transported from Rajgiri on a massive carriage with 192wheels over distance on 60km.

NTR Gardens(entry fee 15/-)
Located nearby to Lumbini park dedicated to late NT Rama Rao, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, offers a serene atmosphere and yet provides recreation facilities as well as eateries.It have beautiful massive entrance plaza.

massive entrance

It is a well maintained garden boasts a vast collection of flowering shrubs and plants. There are car cafes, mobile six seater cafes where people can enjoy a cup of coffee.

car cafe

It offers lot of recreation facilities such as toy train, 3D underwater world, roaring cascade, Japanese garden , fruit restaurant etc.

toy train track

3D Underwater world

Birla Mandir
Dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala Tirupati located on the hilltop, which at one point used to be one of the highest spots of the city. It overlooks the water of Hussain sagar lake, provides a panoramic view of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad

After so much tiring day, I returned to hotel and took rest for while for new year eve. There were lots of things to do nearby my stay and i found yummy Litti Chokha in South at Desi Bytes. It's a roadside open cafe with soothing music and lights in background.

Desi Bytes

Day 3:Reunion time
This day was dedicated for get-together with my college friends after 2.7years. We had lots of chit chats, food at fancy places.

Glocal Junction

Coco's Bar&Grill

Shilparamam(entry fee 40/-)
A perfect place for art lovers, is a craft village which presents various traditional arts and crafts by artisans from all over the country.Craftsmen from all over India, display their works here, varying from traditional jewellery, hand-woven saris, shawls, dresses, bed sheets, etc; and hand-crafted wooden and metal wares.
During Sankranti Sandadi festival of harvest in the month of January, various cultural activities are organised.I was lucky enough to witness theatre performance.For art lovers, there are always dance performances and activities conducted on the open theatre with ample of seating facility which you can see free of cost.

However, along with shopping in Shilparamam, visitors can also relish some spicy chaats and mouth watering snacks such as Uggani(tossed puff spicy rice), Punugulu(deep fried snack made with rice, urad dal and other spices served with peanut chutney) etc.

Punugulu

Uggani

There is also the facility for boating. Ticket price for boating is Rs.30 per person.

This is an ideal place for long walks too; its natural greenery dotted with carefully laid out sculptures and intricately designed buildings.

Riding a giant

Love on rocks

There were human sculptures depicting artisans, craft and  culture of Hyderabad with such lively looking figures.

village artisan 

Rough expenses

Kolkata to Hyderabad flight-3395/-
Airport to Hitech City cab-821/-
Oyo townhouse 009- 3800/-(price was high due to new year period)
Oyo townhouse 034-3600/-(for 02days)
City transport cabs-3000/-
Hitech city to Airport cab-1007/-
Hyderabad to Kolkata flight-2530/-

Note:Do not miss famous mouth watering Karachi Bakery cookies.I bought from Hyderabad airport.