Hyderabad - Twin City OR City of Pearls OR pearl and diamond trading centre OR HITECH City

STATE - ANDHRA PRADESH
   
DISTANCE - 210 KM From Kurnool, 592 KM From Tirupati

CONNECTION
 
By Air : One can reach Hyderabad from anywhere in the world. Along with N.T Rama Rao Terminal which is the domestic airport, receiving flights from major Indian cities, there is an international airport named Rajiv Gandhi Terminal, receiving international flights.

By Rail : Hyderabad has the best rail connection in entire state and is also the most important one. It is connected with daily trains to all the four metros Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai. It has trains to all other important cities of India apart from catering to Andhra Pradesh cities.

By Road : Hyderabad has a huge bus terminal that receives buses from every city. Apart from connecting Hyderabad to other cities, luxury coaches of APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) take tourist for a city tour.
 
ABOUT HYDERABAD
 
Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and the fifth largest city of India. While AP is known as the most IT savvy state in India, Hyderabad is emerging as a major center for IT exports. It’s share in Indian IT exports is about 12%. The city is galloping towards its dream of becoming the Silicon Valley of India. Today, it is home to many international companies and global IT majors including Microsoft, CA, Oracle, IBM, Dell, Infosys, Wipro, TCS, Satyam and others. Apart from IT, Hyderabad is also emerging as a leader in the pharma, insurance and tourism sectors. In addition, it also houses the state ministries, defense undertakings and research and development organizations.

The city's cosmopolitan way of life that envelops in its wake, the ancient and the modern, upcoming and thriving discothèques, pubs, theme villages, snow park and Go-Karting is sure to leave everyone charmed.
 
PLACES OF INTERESTS IN HYDERABAD
 
Charminar : Charminar is a major landmark in the city is to state the obvious. Built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1591, shortly after he had shifted his capital from Golkonda to what now is known as Hyderabad, this beautiful colossus in granite, lime, mortar and, some say, pulverised marble, was at one time the heart of the city.

Chow Mohalla Complex : Built in several phases by the Nizams between 1857-1869, this is now one of the heritage buildings. The complex comprises four palaces in Moghal and European styles, of which the main palace is double storeyed with the others being single-storeyed blocks. Located near Charminar - Himmatpura.

Golconda Fort : Golconda is one of the famous forts of India. The name originates from the Telugu words “Golla Konda” meaning “Shepherd’s Hill”. The origins of the fort can be traced back to the Yadava dynasty of Deogiri and the Kakatiyas of Warangal. Golconda was originally a mud fort, which passed to the Bahmani dynasty and later to the Qutb Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The first three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda, over a span of 62 years.

Qutub Shahi Tombs : These stately domes form an umbrella over the tombs underneath which rest the majestic kings of the Qutub Shahi dynasty in peace. The tombs, which have been silent spectators to the many developments in Hyderabad over four centuries.

Hi Tech City : One of the modern monuments of trade and technology, it embodies the newfound attitude of Hyderabad and today finds a place of pride. Situated on the outskirts of the city, it is the nucleus of Cyberabad, the IT destination in this part of the world. Cyber Towers is the main building here.

Salarjung Museum : The Salarjung museum is the largest one-man collection of antiques in the world. The museum is named after Yusuf Ali Khan (Salar Jung III), Prime Minister of the Nizam and titled Salar Jung Bahadur in 1853.

Public Gardens : Right next to Hyderabad railway station is one of the best laid out gradens in the country with buildings of the State Legislature, State Archaeological Museum, Jubilee-Hall, Jawahar Bal Bahavan and Telugu Lalitha Kala Thoranam - an open air theatre.

Hussain Sagar : The Hussain Sagar lake which links twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad was constructed in 1562 A.D. It has a great view of the Buddha Statue and is popular prominade and jogging track.

Buddha Statue : Hyderabad boasts of one of the largest stone Lord Buddha statue in the world which is placed in the middle of the Hussainsagar Lake.

Nehru Zoological Park : One of the largest zoos in India, the Nehru Zoological Park is spread over 1.2 sq km of landscaped gardens.

Golconda Fort : The 16th century fortress is a must- see. Like many of the great forts in India, Golconda exudes a palpable sense of history.
 
RELIGIOUS PLACES IN HYDERABAD
 
Birla Mandir : The temple, built on a hillock called Kala Pahad, one of the Naubat Pahad twins, lords over its equally celebrated surroundings comprising the imposing Secretariat buildings, the azure-blue waters of Hussain Sagar, the serene and halcyon Lumbini Park, the luxurious Public Gardens dominated by the Asafjahi-style Legislative Assembly complex and the Reserve Bank of India. From the highest level of the temple, the spectacle around is breath-taking.

Chote Hazrat Ki Dargah : The Chote Hazrat ki Dargah is an important Muslim religious place located at Devan Devadi, in Hyderabad. Dating back to the time of Asif Jahis, this dargah is a legacy of the Muslim community. One has to climb 400 stairs to reach this dargah built in memory of Hazrat Ali.Muslim considers this dargah as a holy place to worship. It attracts Muslim pilgrimage during the 8th and 10th day of Muharram, as Muslims from all over the country come to offer prayer to the prophet.

Mecca Masjid : Being the oldest and the biggest of the mosque in Hyderabad city, Mecca Masjid is a much visited religious place in the city. A total of 10,000 people can pray at this mosque. It is said that its construction was started by Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah and it was later completed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1694. 8000 workers altogether completed the construction of this mosque. It is just 100 yards from the historical Charminar.

St. Joseph's Cathedral : Located in Gun foundry area of Hyderabad, St. Joseph's Cathedral is one of the visited religious places in Hyderabad. Its main attraction is its Italian ornate architecture and the five giant bells in an open bell tower topping the cathedral. It is said that the giant bells of the cathedral are brought from Italy which are now the main attraction of the cathedral. A number of hymns could be played on the bells as they were so specially tuned. Inside the Cathedral an imitation of 'Pieta' by Michelangelo are seen in the alcove.
 
WHEN TO GO HYDERABAD
 
Winter is the best time to visit. The weather is pleasant and ideal for sightseeing from November to February.
 
WEATHER FORECAST
 
Summer in Hyderabad sets in by March and remains till the end of May or mid-June. Average minimum temperature in summer is 25 degrees Celsius. The temperature may rise upto 40 degrees Celsius on some days in summer.

Monsoon in Hyderabad is June to October. Plenty of rainfall and an accompanying high level of humidity marks the monsoon in Hyderabad. July has the maximum number of rainy days while September gets the maximum rain, there is a saying in Hyderabad "September month sitam-ka-mahina

Winters in Hyderabad are from November to February. Winter season doesn't make the climate chilly like the northern part of India; it only offers a pleasant weather. During winter season nights are comparatively cool and pleasant. Average minimum temperature in winter is 13 degrees Celsius.
 
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS IN HYDERABAD
 
Deccan Festival : Deccan Festival is held at Qutub Shahi Tombs Hyderabad on second Friday, Saturday & Sunday of April every year. This festival brings the choicest talent from the field of Music, Dance and Theatre. Ghazals, Mushairas, Qawwalis, Classical dances and Music reverberate in the air of Hyderabad. The Festival reflects the love, Hyderabadis always had for art and Literature. The Deccan Festival essentially mirrors the glorious Qutub Shahi epoch.

Ugadi : In South India, Ugadi marks the beginning of a new year. It is the festival when the earth appears in a special delight. The beginning of Basanta Ritu (spring) offers life to plants with new shoots and leaves. We see budding tender leaves, flowers and fruits; listen to chanting of birds and smell fragrance of flowers from distance. We find happiness booming everywhere. Naturally, it is the happiest day of the year. The vibrancy of life and verdant fields and meadows full of colorful blossoms signifies growth, prosperity and well-being.

Diwali : Diwali (or Deepawali), the festival of light is celebrated in all parts of the city. It usually comes 20 days after the Dushherra on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho) in Oct/ Nov every year. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity. All Hindus celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm and fervor.

Holi : Holi, the festival of colour is celebrated in almost all parts of the city with great fervor. The festival provides a refreshing respite from the mundane norms as people from all walks of life to enjoy themselves. It falls during February-March (in the month of Phalguna according to the Hindu calendar).

Eid-ul-Fitr : Eid-ul-Fitr, popularly known as the "Festival of the Breaking of the Fast", occurs as soon as the new moon is sighted at the end of the month of fasting, namely Ramadan. The festival is intended to be a festive and joyous occasion. Special foods and delicacies are prepared for the day and are distributed to neighbours and friends. All Muslims of Hyderabad celebrate it with great enthusiasm.

Vijaya Dasami (Dussehra) : Dussehra is one of the most important festivals of Andhra Pradesh. It is a Hindu festival, which is celebrated all over India to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Dussehra also symbolizes the triumph of warrior Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. The people of Hyderabad also celebrate it with great enthusiasm.

Christmas : Christmas, the last festival of the year is celebrated by people from all wakes of life. It paves the way for the New Year. People decorate their houses, erect Christmas trees, and make cribs with figures of baby Jesus, Mother Mary, Joseph, the three kings who come to visit the baby and shepherd boys and their herds grazing around depicting the scenes of Jesus’ Birth in the Bible. They decorate the Christmas tree, hang stars, gifts and illuminate them. Everywhere in the city you can find festivity among the people of Hyderabad no matter how poor or rich they are.

Nag-panchami : Nag-Panchami is an important festival of Andhra Pradesh and is celebrated on the fifth day of the moonlit-fortnight in the month of Shravan (July /August). This is the time when serpents invariably come out of their holes that get inundated with rain-water to seek shelter in gardens and many times in houses.

Makar Sankranti : Makar Sankranti is celebrated in the month of 'Magh' and is a harvest festival. It is a celebration of spring on the occasion of the 'ascent' of the sun to the north (Uttarayana). In Andhra Pradesh, Makar Sankranti is a day of goodwill and friendship. It is celebrated in Hyderabad by Telugu people with great enthusiasm.

VaraLaxmi Vratam : It is a religious festival celebrated to worship Varalakshmi (Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu). It falls on Friday before the full moon in the month of Sravana. On this particular Friday, housewives wake up early, finish their mangalasnanam, wear new clothes and decorate their front yard with rangoli patterns on it. Later a small pandal is erected with plantain trunks and festoons are tied on its upper parts. A small copper vessel filled with water, coconut and three betel leaves (Kalasam) is placed on a stool. The Kalasam is worshipped by sprinkling flowers and rice mixed in turmeric powder.

Kite Festival : The popular Kite Festival of Hyderabad is held in the month of January and is organized at Shilparamam and various other parts of the city. There are many sporting kite flyers around to take part in the kite-flying competition. Various sizes of kites are on display from palm-sized ones to huge kites as big as a bus. If you are visiting with kids, buy a kite and let them join the event.

Lumbini Festival : In the month of December a festival is organized to celebrate the Buddhist Heritage of Andhra Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for three days.

Festival of Andhra Pradesh : This 10 day cultural festival is held in the month of November to mark the anniversary of Andhra Pradesh’ statehood. Eminent musicians and dancers perform during this festival.
 
FOOD AND RESTURANTS IN HYDERABAD
 
Most popular dish of Hyderabad is Hyderabadi Biryani and other delicious food of Hyderabad  Pathar-ka-Ghosht, Nahari, Haleem, Double-ka-Meetha, Khubani-ka-Meetha ,Seviyon-ka-Meetha, Kheer.