One quality inherent to a Hyderabadi is the relaxed way in which they do things. And this is reflected in the way the city functions. Sneha Kakodkar lists down 10 things that visitors can do at their own pace.
Rockitecture
Hyderabad is known for its beautiful architecture but little is known about the natural rock formations of granite dating back to prehistoric times that are found here. So if you are an early riser, head to Durgam Cheruvu near Jubilee Hills. The pristine lake and the rock formations make a wonderful early morning sight. Carry your binoculars along because the intriguing rock formations and water body also catch the eye of the early birds. These hillocks are also popular for rock-climbing and trekking hosted by various clubs like Great Hyderabad adventure club.
The Veiled Rebecca
What's a visit to a city without the glimpse of its museum? The Salar Jung museum houses the largest private collections of the Nizam era. Travel through time and experience the exquisite art pieces that the royalty lived with.
The Veiled Rebecca is an icon of innocence and purity that Giovanni Benzioni skilfully created in 1886. It is believed that Benzioni made four copies of the statue and one among them is in the this museum. Rebecca is the bride of Isaac according to the Hebrew Bible and the statue of marble is crafted in such a way that the veil almost gives a silk like effect along with the breathtaking transparency achieved in stone by the artist.
View from the top
Every great city needs its proud civic phallus, which offers a great view and some entertainment. More often than not, these places have either great architecture combined with a panoramic view or they end up being tourist monstrosities. Hyderabadis have found their own version of a scenic lookout near Birla Planetarium. The place offers a great view of the Hussain Sagar lake along with the city skyline. It's one of the few spots in the city where the thought of relaxation would come naturally.
Food halt
If you have wondered the reasons why Hyderabad is so mellow, it is because of its gastronomic delights. To experience this state of nirvana, one has to try the dum ki biryani and khurbani ka meetha. It's deliciousness has a lot to with the spices and meat. Try them in the old city area or one of the newer joints opened up in swankier parts of the city. No matter where you eat it, the food never disappoints. Try Madina Hotel orHyderabad House.
Buy pearls
Although Hyderabad doesn't have any kind of pearl culturing within its precinct, it houses the largest variety of pearls from the famous coasts of Japan, Australia, Sri Lanka and China. Historically, the Nizam's jewellers had gained and honed the skill of threading the pearls together in a string without damaging the quality. This skill has passed on from one generation to another and today they are famously known as Hyderabad pearls. Patterghatti area houses the city's oldest and the most experienced goldsmiths with their treasure troves of pearls from around the globe. A pearl souvenir is for keepsake and makes for an everlasting memorabilia.
Jumme raat ki bazaar
This is the ideal flea market in a historic city with antiques sold at throwaway prices. Jumme raat ki bazaar means a Thursday night market. It combines antiquity with the best bargains and offers a pleasant concoction of the old world charm. You can buy anything from watches to original paintings to silverware and you wouldn't regret owning a part of a past. Although the market is traditionally a night bazaar, the jumme raat ki bazaar is more of a name than timing, so to get hold of a few antiquities, one has to be an early riser to get to the market by 5am. The bazaar is open till mid-afternoon.
Taramati Baradari
Taramati Baradari has a history of being a traveller's resting house for the kingdom of Golconda in the early 1500 AD. But the fables about the romance between the seventh ruler of the Qutub Shah dynasty and his infamous courtesan Taramati are the stories that are told in the well-honed acoustics of the building that make it more fascinating. The building historically has changed from a guest house to a courtesan's palace to the present venue for most sought-after musical concerts and dance performances. This building also houses a guest house and a restaurant.
Rickshaw ride around the Charminar
If you want the entire Hyderabadi culture in a package at once, a visit to the Charminar is a must. With its haphazard streets, the glitz and the glamour of street-shopping and the everlasting Charminar, the place is buzzing with activity. One of the best ways to explore this is by hiring a cycle-rickshaw to take you around the streets. The slow pace of the rickshaw will let you indulge the sights and smells of the good ?ol Hyderabad. You could also walk around Charminar but the streets are almost always a battleground for the oncoming traffic, pedestrians, and hawkers.
Walk around the lake
Hussain Sagar lake is one of the most prominent features of the city and with its wide trees that away in the breeze, the lake has become one of the most popular public spaces in Hyderabad. The spot with its surrounding greenery give visitors a break from the chaotic skyline of skyscrapers. The necklace road makes an ideal space for a quick timeout.
The attar and the surma
Add a touch of true Deccan flavour to the list of souvenirs and take home one of these exquisite glass and silver bottles of attar and surma. Traditionally, attars are homemade perfumes worn before the prayers. There are so many varieties available that it is hard to choose. The surma or kohl is made in such a way that it soothes and enhances the eyes. The price for these bottles depends on their quality but it's usually within one's budget.
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