Facts About Hyderabad |
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| Country | India |
| State | Andhra Pradesh |
| Latitude and Longitude of Hyderabad | 17.3667° N, 78.4667° E |
| Population | 10.4 million |
| Area | 251 sq miles (650 sq km) |
| Languages | Telugu, Urdu |
| Time Zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Postal Codes | 500 xxx – 509 xxx |
| Area Code | +91 – 40 |
| International Airport of Hyderabad | Rajiv Gandhi International Airport |
| Ethnicity | Telugu, Urdu Speaking People, Marathi, Kannada, etc. |
| Places to visit in Hyderabad | Charminar, Golkonda, Snow World, Salar Jung Museum, Nehru Zoological Park, Hussain Sagar, Mecca Masjid, Chowmahalla Palace, Chilkur Balaji Temple, Birla Mandir, Osman Sagar, Ramoji Film City |
| Demonym | Hyderabadi |
Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh is located on the Deccan Plateau and is almost 500 years old. Besides being the capital city, it is also noted for being the largest city of Andhra Pradesh. Sprawled across 650 square kilometers, Hyderabad records an approximate population of 10.4 million people.
Today, the city is home to innumerable government buildings and important landmarks. Besides, Hyderabad also houses various software companies and BPOs, thereby making it one of the prime IT hubs of India.
Geography :
Situated 1,607 feet above sea level; Hyderabad lies to the northwest of Andhra Pradesh. This makes the city easily accessible from both the South and North Indian states. The city is blessed with some amazing rock formations which are almost 2500 million years old. The soil type of the city is chiefly red sandy; however, in some areas, you can also find black cotton soil.
How to reach (transport) :
Rajiv Gandhi International Terminal (Hyderabad International Airport) is well connected to major destinations abroad. Besides, the domestic airport (N.T. Rama Rao domestic Terminal) operates flights to prominent cities in India. Both these airports are located approximately 20 kilometers from the city’s center.
The Hyderabad Deccan Railway Station or more popularly the Nampally railway station connects the city with the major cities of India. The Andhra Pradesh state-owned buses connect the city with the neighboring states and cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Vijayawada, and Vishakhapatnam.
When to visit :
Hyderabad is not an ideal city to visit during the summers (April- July) as the temperature can rise up to 42 degrees Celsius during the day. Rather the best time to plan for your Hyderabad tour is during the winters i.e. from October to February. During these months, the day temperatures usually stay below 28 degrees Celsius. During the night, the temperature can drop to as low as 9 degrees Celsius, especially in January and December.
Culture (fairs and festivals) and traditions :
The people of Hyderabad are fun-loving and this spirit of theirs is clearly evident in their various festivals and fairs. Some of the important festivals celebrated in Hyderabad are :
- Deccan Festival: The tourism department of Andhra Pradesh arranges for the Deccan Festival every year. The festival reflects the love for art and literature among the people of Hyderabad. You can witness innumerable cultural programs during this five-day festival. Qawwalis, Mushairas, and Ghazals form the prime interests of this festival. Besides enjoying cultural performances, you can also please your taste buds with the nawab special cuisine.
- Pearls and Bangles fair: This fair is associated with the Deccan Festival and showcases beautiful creations of the prominent radiant pearls and multi-hued bangles, which are local specialties. Besides, you can also enjoy various cultural programs, take a stroll by arts and craft shops and enjoy the delicacies of the food stalls.
- Mrigasira Festival: Also referred to as Mrugam, this festival is celebrated in June or July. People not only enjoy a feast of local fish but also come here to treat asthma. People suffering from asthma participate in this local feast and swallow live fish so as to get their asthma cured. This traditional way of swallowing live fish is noted for having herbal properties.
- Lumbini Festival: The Nagarjunasagar dam in Hyderabad hosts the Lumbini Festival every year. The festival derived its name “Lumbini” from the place Lumbini; the birthplace of Lord Buddha. This three-day-long festival is celebrated to honor the rich culture and heritage of Buddhism.
Points of interest (places to visit)
Some of the major points of interest in Hyderabad are as follows:
- Birla Planetarium and Science Museum: Located at Naubat Road, NT Ramarao inaugurated this museum in 1985. Today, it stands as one of the advanced planetariums in India.
- Charminar: A remarkable combination of Indo-Islamic architecture, Charminar is a must-visit attraction on your Hyderabad tour. Built-in reminiscence of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, this noted structure has an average height and width of 56 meters and 30 meters respectively.
- Chowmahalla Palace: Located close to Charminar, this palace was once home to the Asif Jahi dynasty. Noted for its elegance and unique style, this palace is now open to selected corporates and individuals for hosting cultural evenings, receptions, and dinner parties.
- Falaknuma Palace: Located 5 kilometers south of Charminar, the Falaknuma Palace was built by Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra and has now been transformed into a luxury hotel. The palace houses a rare combination of Tudor and Italian architecture. The stained glass windows of this palace throw a gamut of colors into the rooms.
- Golconda Fort: Established in the 20th century, the Golconda Fort was founded by the Kakatias. It was later on renovated with granite walls and ramparts by the Qutub Sahi kings.
- Nizam’s Museum: Located in Purana Haveli, this museum is only two kilometers away from Charminar. In 1750, Hyderabad’s second Nizam acquired a palace and converted it into a museum.
Accommodation :
When you are planning for a vacation, the first thing you would perhaps eye on is perfect relaxation. And for perfect relaxation, you need to plan your stay at a comfortable hotel as well. If you don’t mind spending on your tour and looking for some luxurious options then The Park-Hyderabad, Taj Falaknuma Palace, Trident Hyderabad, The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace, and Taj Krishna. Budget travelers too can have their equal share of joy at stay options like Aditya Hometel, Hotel Swagath Grand, Walnut Budget Hotel, and Hotel Geetanjali.