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           HYDERABAD TRAVEL GUIDE

Hyderabad is the capital of Andhra Pradesh in Southern India, located on the banks
of the Musi River and the Deccan Plateau.

Situated in the region of Andhra Pradesh. Hyderabad has an estimated metropolitan
population of 6.1 million (61 lakh), making it India's sixth-largest metropolitan area.
Hyderabad is known for its rich history, culture and architecture representing its
unique character as a meeting point for North and South India, and its multilingual
culture, both geographically and culturally.
The ‘twin cities’ of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are one of the major centres of
Information Technology development, so much so that Microsoft has one of its two
overseas offices here.

A popular theory suggests that after founding the city, Muhammad Quli fell in love
with and married a local Banjara girl known as Bhagamathi. He named this city after
her as Bhagyanagaram. Upon her conversion to Islam, Bhagamathi changed her
name to Hyder Mahal and the new city's name was correspondingly changed to
match it

GENERAL INFORMATION

Time zone         IST (UTC+5:30)
Area -                 625 km˛ (241 sq mi)
• Coastline    -   0 km (0 mi)
Climate
• Precipitation - 803 mm (31.6 in)
Temperature -  26.0 °C (79 °F)
• Summer -       30.3 °C (87 °F)
• Winter        -     23.5 °C (74 °F)
Distance(s)
• From Delhi - 1,499 km S (land)
• From Mumbai -  711 km SE (land)
• From Chennai -  688 km N (land)        
Region   -      Telangana
District(s)     -    Hyderabad
Population  - (2006)
• Metro - 6,112,250 (6th) (2007)
• Sex ratio   - 1.07
Language(s)         Telugu, Urdu

PLACE TO VISIT

Charminar - is the enduring symbol for Hyderabad. Commissioned by
Mohammad Quli as a memorial at the end of a severe epidemic, the four arches
face the four cardinal directions. Minarets top the columns and the entire structure
looks ethereal when it is illuminated after dusk.The Charminar has long been the
icon of Hyderabad. The towers rise to a height of 48.7 m above the ground. There is
a mosque with 45 prayer spaces located inside in the upper storeys. The structure
actually stands in the middle of a busy road, but a pedestrianization project is under
way. Atop the minarets, you get a panoramic view of Hyderabad city.

Golconda Fort - 11 kilometres from city centre, is counted among the most
remarkable in India.  The city was the center of a flourishing diamond trade.
Magnificent diamonds were taken from the mines in the hills surrounding Golconda,
including Darya-e Nur (meaning "sea of light"), at 185 carats, the largest and finest
diamond of the crown jewels of Iran. By the 1880s, "Golconda" was being used
generically by English speakers to refer to any particularly rich mine, and later to any
source of great wealth.

Falaknuma Palace -  Built by Nawab Viqar al-Umra', a beautiful and stunning
piece of architecture. The most opulent of the Nizams' many palaces, Falaknuma
was built in 1872. A huge amount of money was lavished on the interior, which is
particularly impressive and features the works of Florentine sculptors.

Chowmahalla Palace - Once the centre of Hyderabad , Situated near
Charminar. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizam entertained his
official guests and royal visitors.

Qutub Shahi Tombs - The Qutb Shahi kings are buried in marvellous tombs,
the constructions of which they personally oversaw. All seven sultans are buried in
the same compound where garden paths wind past these phenomenal monuments.

Salar Jung Museum - The museum houses the largest one-man collection
of antiques in the world. Collections include "The Vieled Rebecca" and other huge
collection of artifacts dating back to a few centuries. A mere day isn't enough to cover
the whole museum.

Botanical Gardens - These gardens are spread across a sprawling area of
120 acres, housing different varieties of herbs, plants, trees etc. These gardens
provide a complete visual treat to the eyes with water bodies, meadows, rich
grasslands - nature at its best.

Hussain Sagar - A man-made lake that separates the twin cities of Hyderabad
and Secunderabad. It is famous also for the 18-metre tall Buddha statue on a
platform island called "Rock of Gibraltar" in the middle of the lake, and for the Tank
Bund that is the main road between the twin cities. Boating and water sports are a
regular feature here.

Bhongir -  It is 50 Kms from city of Hyderabad on the outskirts moving towords
Uppal and you see a big rock on top of which a old monument can be seen. Near by
you will find a temple also.