Hyderabad: Visiting the city of Nawabs- Part 2

 

To Read Part-1, Please click here
Overview: We started our second day with a visit to the Golkonda fort. The fort was built by the Hindu Kakatiya kings, which was taken by Qutub Shahi kings in the 16th century with Golkonda as the capital. The city and fortress built on a granite hill that is 120 meters (400 ft) high and is surrounded by massive crenulated ramparts. The beginnings of the fort date to 1143, when the Hindu Kakatiya dynasty ruled the area. The fort finally fell into ruins after a siege and its fall to Mughal emperor Aurangazeb.
Golkonda consists of four distinct forts with a 10 km long outer wall with 87 semicircular bastions, eight gateways, and four drawbridges, with a number of royal apartments & halls, temples, mosques, magazines, stables, etc. inside. The lowest of these is the outermost enclosure into which we enter by the "Fateh Darwaza" (Victory gate, so called after Aurangzeb’s triumphant army marched in through this gate) studded with giant iron spikes near the south-eastern corner. At Fateh Darwaza can be experienced a fantastic acoustic effect, characteristic of the engineering marvels at Golkonda. A hand clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance reverberates and can be heard clearly at the 'Bala Hisar' pavilion, the highest point almost a kilometre away.
We could also see a cave temple near Ambar Khana which was lined with carvings of various Hindu Gods on the walls. The Kala mandir is also located within the fort at the top. Many people visit that temple for blessings.
It took around 2 hours to visit the fort without a guide. Its really nice to visit such a place with rich heritage.



                     
After the fort we visited the Charminar and Mecca masjid in the evening. Its the central point of the old city and its in the middle of all the hustle bustle. Took some shots of the Charminar and had the famous Irani chai in a tea shop opposite Charminar. The street next to it is lined with bangle shops and jewellery stores which looks colourful during evenings.
  


After the Heritage view of Hyderabad, we went to Gokul chats which is a popular eatery in Hyderabad. From there we went for a movie at the Prasad's IMAX.
This was the end of a colourful trip to the city of Nawabs and there is plenty more in Hyderabad to explore for which I will come back.
How to reach: Rail: Plenty of trains available from Bangalore to Hyderabad, best option being 12786 Bangalore-Kacheguda express leaving Bangalore at 18:20 and reaching Kacheguda at 05:40
Bus: Plenty of KSRTC, APSRTC and private buses ply from Bangalore to Hyderabad.
Car: Head on NH7 towards Hyderabad. Its a long drive of around 600 kms on good roads to Hyderabad.
Food/Accommodation: Plenty of options available for food on the way to Hyderabad.
Map:

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Comments

  1. Beautiful pics of Golconda fort & Charminar. Brought back nostalgic memories of the time we lived in Hyderabad(1984-86). Thanks for sharing.

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  2. wonderful photos collection...

    happy new year

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  3. Thanks everyone and Wishing all a very Happy New Year..

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  4. AP is one state i haven't traveled to much. Thanks for your post it has motivated me to do some trips here.

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  5. let me tell u 1thing if uve not visited old city den uve not visited hyd..it is the most brotherly city of india...pl here are gr8 esp the muslims..in hyd they are the large majority nd they are truly wonderfull...if hangout with them u will understand wat am talking about..forget nyother city hyd is must...!!!

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  6. I being a non-hyderabadi still love coming and exploring Hyderabad....

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  7. it's nice having to read a wonderful piece as this,thanks for given us a wonder thrill like this.

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