10 Must Do Things in Hyderabad
Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana State and the land of the Nizams, is redolent not only in culture but also a whole lot of other things which makes every visit a celebration of its essence. Delectable cuisines, architectural marvels, historical jewels and last but not the least its distinct and unique local culture ensure that your visit remains a memorable one. Take a look at 10 must do things in Hyderabad which are great ideas which you can use to spice up your next trip to the city.
1. Hyderabadi Biryani : Unique in its own way
Hyderabadi Biryanis have always been the obvious choice for visiting the city. Made with premium quality of Basmati rice, aromatic spices and goat or chicken meat, Biryani forms an integral part of the Hyderabadi and Telangana cuisine culture. Available in two varieties, the Kachhi Gosht or raw meat Biryani and the Pakki Gosht or cooked meat Biryani, it is usually served with equally delicious accompaniments namely the Mirchi ka Salan, a Baigan or eggplant preparation and Dahi chutney (beaten yogurt with onions). Tasting Hyderabadi Biryani is one of the must do things in Hyderabad.
The city offers ample opportunities for you to taste this delectable cuisine. Some of the famous eateries include:
- Paradise Hotel in Sardar Patel Road
- Bawarchi in RTC X Roads
- Shadab Restaurant near Charminar
- Garden Restaurant in SD Road
While placing your orders do not however, forget to add a plate of Hyderabadi Haleem as well. Haleem, a stew composed of meat, lentils and pounded wheat made into a thick paste, is given a distinctly hyderabadi flavour due to the blend of several local spices and ingredients. It is full of instant energy and helps to add lot of calories as well. Nevertheless, a trip to Hyderabad, without tasting a plate of Haleem is an unpardonable sin (specially during Ramzaan Time). Don’t forget to taste the Haleem of Pista House located near Mehidipatnam. That’s is considered as the best Haleem and gets exported to many Arab countries.
2. Irani Chai (Tea) Break:
Chai time in Hyderabad always begins and ends with a cup of aromatic Irani Chai or Tea. It is a heady concoction of condensed milk, tea leaves and milk. Some of the different types of this tea include:
- Pani kum chai – Strong Irani tea
- Khari Chai – Very strong tea
- Khade Chammach ki Chai – Tea prepared by adding too much sugar such that the spoon stands up straight when inserted to stir the liquid
- Burkhe Wali Chai – Tea served with a thick layer of cream covering its top
- Cutting Chai – This refers to half a cup of tea. Hyderabadis have ‘cutting chai’ several times a day.
3. Participate in the unique Telangana State festivals ‘Bonalu’ and ‘Bathukamma’
Bathukamma Festival: Some of the ways in which you can really experience the real ambience of the place is to participate in local festivals. The Bathukamma festival helps women to easily soak in the real Telangana culture. An annual Telangana festival celebrating the greatness of the mother goddess, Bathukamma is a colourful festival of flowers. Join other women, dressed in your best attire, in making your Bathukamma or just helping them decorate theirs. It will not take you long to get into the mood and become one with this awesome custom. Read More
Every year 9th day of Bathukamma (Saddula Bathukamma) is celebrated very grandly at Tank Bund Secunderabad by Telangana Jagruthi. If you are in Hyderabad during this, don’t forget to attend this event to get the feel of this unique and great Telangana state festival.
Bonalu Festival – Bonalu is a unique festival typical to Telangana (also declared as Telangana State Festival). The Bonalu Jathara festival traces its origins back to 1813, when the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad suffered from the epidemic of Plague. Thousands of lives were claimed, and the Plague was catching on dangerously with the masses. Then originated the belief that the Plague was a curse by the Mother Goddess- Mahankali and she was angered at the locals. People started offering their prayers and food (Bhojanalu- Bonalu) to please the goddess so she would rid them off the disease.
To this date, Telangana People celebrate this festival expressing their gratitude for the well-being bestowed upon them, with much enthusiasm. Among the festivals of Telangana, Bonalu Jathara Festival is very important in Telangana which is celebrated for the whole month of Ashadam. READ MORE
4.Bangle Shopping in Laad Bazaar near Charminar
Known as the Choodi Baazar, the Laad Bazaar near Charminar is the best place to shop for stone and pearl jewelry, glass bangles, silverware, kalamkari paintings, bidriware, Nirmal paintings and wooden toys, hand woven silk and cotton dress materials. Laad Bazaar is India’s biggest bangles shopping centre. Hone your bargaining skills before dropping in here as it is the popular practice in this area. Colourful, vibrant and stocked with all kinds of exciting wares, Laad bazaar is your ideal shopping destination if you are looking for ay kind of bangles in Hyderabad. READ MORE
5. Go for a Local Shopping Spree in Hyderabad & Secunderabad
Hyderabad and Secunderabad are shopper’s paradise. The city is replete with several old and exciting shopping venues which are intriguing for their historical value as well as captivating for the type of goods they store. Some of these are:
Begum Bazaar – More than 200 years old and located near the old city which is famous for household goods and brassware at excellent rates. Once can also find many varieties of plastic gifts and household items.
Sultan Bazaar near Koti and Abids – Formerly known as the Residency Bazaar, the Sultan Bazaar is famous for women’s wear, slippers, shoes, bangles and other trinkets.
General Bazaar, Secunderabad – More than 100 years old, the General Bazaar is the best place to bargain for household goods, children’s goods and bangles. One can get all Electrical and Electronic Appliances, all household items, clothing, accessories, etc in General Bazar of Secunderabad.
Monda Market and Rezimental Bazaar Secunderabad – More than 150 years old market of Secunderabad and a place to get most of the daily use household products. It is located near Secunderabad Railway Station. If you get down at Secunderabad Railway and have some idle time, don’t forget to visit Monda Market and Rezimental Bazar.
6. Explore the Capital City of Telangana with the unique Hyderabadi Heritage Walk
Hyderabad is a treasure vault of intriguing tourist attractions. Housing a motley collection of architectural marvels and religious shrines, the city has something for everyone. A quick checklist of things you could explore to view the Heritage/Historical places of Hyderabad (popularly called as the Heritage Walk of Hyderabad) is provided below:
Golconda Fort – One of the most popular tourist spots in Hyderabad, the Golconda fort is a mini treasure trove of historical and architectural displays. Visit it to soak in the history of Telangana in its entirety. Golconda Fort is landmark of Hyderabad which is 11ms far from the Hyderabad city (west side of the city) which was first built by Kakatiya Rulers and later went into the hands of Bahmani Sultanate Rulers and Quli Qutub Shah. Bonalu Jathara Festival in Hyderabad starts from Golconda Jagadamba Temple and its worth visiting this fort during the first Sunday of Ashada Masam. READ MORE
Charminar – The Charminar, built in 1591 by Quli Qutub Shah, is a strong reminder of the grandeur and opulence of Hyderabad’s glorious past. Housing some of the best shopping options it is a favourite tourist attraction. Charminar is considered as an icon of Hyderabad. READ MORE
Mecca Masjid – Located close to the Charminar, the Mecca Masjid is another popular tourist attraction. The foundation of Mecca Masjid is laid in the year 1614 by Quli Qutub Shah. The construction of this second biggest mosque of India got finished in the year 1694 when Mughul Emperor Aurangzeb was ruling the Golconda Kingdom It is surely a treat to visit these places during Ramzan. READ MORE
Ujjaini Mahankali Temple – The 191 year old temple is a treasured relic. It witnesses huge footfalls of devotees particularly during the Bonalu Jathara Festival and Sravani Masam. Bonalu Festival (or Bonalu Jathara) celebrated in Ujjaini Mahankali Temple Secunderabad is also called as Lashkar Bonalu. More than 2 Lakh devotees attend visit this temple on the Bonalu Festival performed in this temple. Potharaju dance at Secunderabad Bonalu Jathara (Lashkar Bonalu) is very famous and being observed by many. READ MORE
Akkanna Madanna temple – The temple located in Old City of Hyderabad, was built by two brothers Akkanna and Madanna after whom it was named. It is a treat to watch the Ghatam procession that is held within its premises during the Bonalu Jathara festival. READ MORE
7. Relive the Nizam Era
The restored and well-maintained palaces, museums and forts in Hyderabad help you in your endeavour to relive the life of the Nizams. Take a look at some of the best options that the city has to offer:
Falaknuma Palace– The Falaknuma is one of the most opulent and grand reminders of the elaborate lifestyle of the Nizams. Stroll through its corridors to get transported back in time. READ MORE
Chowmahalla Palace – Famous as the official residence of the Hyderabadi Nizams, the Chowmahalla Palace is the epitome of grandeur and opulence. As you wander around the pillared durbar halls known as Khilawat Mubarak, you cannot help being mesmerised by the beauty of the place. READ MORE
Salarjung Museum –The Salarjung Museum is the third largest museum in India. It houses the greatest number of antique artefacts that has ever been collected by a single individual, Nawab Mir Yusuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III (1889–1949). READ MORE
8. Sunrise Walk on Tank Bund:
When you get overwhelmed with all that Hyderabad has to offer, a peaceful walk at sunrise on the Tank Bund road can help you to unwind yourself. Created as a bridge between the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the Tank Bund road provides a serene environment for the people of Hyderabad to relax and rejuvenate. Bordered with a series of amusement and theme parks, the 3 km stretch of Tank Bund road provides interesting options for leisure tourists as well. Tank Bund is constructed on 450 year old man-made Lake ‘Hussai Sagar’ and is a famous tourist attraction of Hyderabad. READ MORE
9. Ganesh Visarjan at TankBund
Built across the Hussain Sagar Lake the Tank Bund area is a popular choice for immersion of Ganesh idols in Hyderabad. The whole area lights up in festive hues as people throng to the lake waters to immerse their idols. Many come here come to see the beautiful sights and soak in the whole ambiance. It is indeed an unforgettable experience to watch the huge idols being lifted on pulleys and lowered into the lake waters amidst chants of ‘Jai Ganapathy’ and Ganapathy Bappa Mourya’. This event starts goes for one complete day at Tank Bund Hyderabad.
10. Get acquainted with Hyderabadi Dialects and learn some Hyderabadi Hindi Words
As you are about to leave the city make sure that you have packed in some favourite Hyderabadi expressions. Some of these could be:
– Nakko – The most emphatic of all No’s
– Kaiku – Though literally meaning ‘But why?’ in Hyderabad it would mean you wish to engage in a long discussion where the other person keeps on reverting to your numerous ‘Kaikus’
– Parson – Though technically means the day before or after, for a hyderabadi it could be anything from 1 day to 10 years.
– Abhich Atu – Just like Parson it transcends all sense of time. Though technically it means ‘will come just now’ hyderabadis use it loosely to mean any length of time.
– Potti – Girl
– Potta – Boy
– Hallu Hallu – Slowly
– Kidar Ja Re – Where are you going?
– Hau – Yes
– Haula – Stupid