The Golkonda Hotel Hyderabad - PLACES TO BE SEEN IN HYDERABAD
BIRLA MANDIR: Overlooking the Tank Bund, the Birla Mandir presents a arresting sight when illuminated in the evening. This magnificent structure built entirely out of marble from Rajasthan, stands atop the Kala Pahad, the twin hillock of the Naubat Pahad. Built over a span of ten years, the main temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. Timings 7am to 12 noon, 2pm to 9pm. Photography not allowed.
B.M.BIRLA PLANETARIUM / SCIENCEMUSEUM: In the heart of our city lies one of the most modern planetariums in the Country. Sky shows are held daily at different timings in different languages. Planetarium closed on last Thursday of the month. 11.30 am to 8pm. Science Museum closed on last Tuesday of the month. 10.30 am to 8pm.
CHARMINAR: Located in the heart of the old city, this magnificent edifice built by Mohd. Quli Qutb Shah, is the unique symbol of Hyderabad. A small mosque is located on the roof of the edifice. All around the Charminar is a bustling bazaar of pearl and jewellery shops, perfume and attar dealers. Timings: 9am to 5.30pm
GOLCONDA FORT: Founded originally by the Kakatiyas in the 13th century, the existing structure was expanded by the Qutb Shahi Kings into a massive fort of granite with walls and ramparts extending some 7kms in circumference. The fortress city within the walls was famous for the diamond trade. The Koh-i-noor diamond, the Hope diamond and the Orloff Diamond of Catherine the great are said to have come from here. Through an amazing feat of acoustics, hands clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance reverberates and can be heard clearly at the Bala Hissar, the highest point almost a kilometer away. A 50minute sound and light show in the evenings in Hindi, English and Telugu is an added attraction. Timings: 9am to 6pm.
SHILPARAMAM: It is a crafts village set up at Madhapur beyond Jubilee Hills. It is spread over 30 acres and has annual bazaars where artists and artisans from all over the country participate.
MECCA MASJID: The few bricks from Mecca which are embedded in the walls of this impressive mosque, gives it its name. Originally started by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, it was completed by the conqueror Aurangazeb. The largest mosque in the twin cities, second largest in India and seventh largest in world, it can accommodate upto 10,000 worshippers. Its enormous colonnades are carved from single slabs of granite. Close to the Mosque are tombs of the Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. Timings: 8am to12noon, 3pm to 8pm.
QUTB SHAHI TOMBS: About a kilometer from the Golconda forts are the tombs of the Qutb Shahi rulers. The tombs are doomed structures built on a square base surrounded by pointed arches. The galleries of the smaller tombs are of a single storey while the larger ones are usually two-storied. In the center of each tomb is a sarcophagus which overlies the actual burial vault in a crypt below. The domes were originally overlaid with blue and green tiles of which now only a few pieces remain. Timings: 9.30am to 5.30pm. Closed on Fridays
SALARJUNG MUSEUM: A collection of art objects by Nawab Salar Jung III, this museum houses magnificent exhibits of European and Indian paintings and statuary. Of special interest is the Jade room containing priceless objects which belonged to ancient Indian Rulers like Aurangazeb, Tipu Sultan, Shah Jahan and the Asaf Jahs of Hyderabad. Timings: 10.00am to 5.00pm. Closed on Fridays
TANK BUND: Hyderabad’s most popular promenade, dams the Hussain Sagar lake with the monolith Buddha at the center. It is lined with 33 statues of famous personalities of the state & the lake is the venue of many a water sporting event.
NEHRU ZOOLOGICAL PARK: Spreads over 300 acres and is one of the largest in Asia. Large recreational parks, gardens, a mini train and animal rides, make it an ideal spot for a picnic. Timings: 8.35am to 5pm. Closed on Monday.
NTR GARDENS: The 36 acre garden is located next to N.T.Rama Rao’s Samadhi. With the opening of this garden the Hussain sagar now has 3 parks-Lumbini & Sanjeevaiah Park surrounding it. Timings: 2.30pm to 8.30 pm.
For Accommodation please visit www.thegolkondahotel.com
