Charminar, Hyderabad

Origin: 

char-four, minar- towers

 The monument or mosque with four towers

Charminar,Hyderabad(Telangana)

Visiting hours: 9am-5pm
Entry: Rs.5/-(Indian)
Rs.100/-(Foreigners)

History:

•              Charminar is a monument and mosque, constructed in the year 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutab Shah(Fifth sultan of Qutub Shahi dynasty).It is said that Mir Momin Astarabodi played an important role in construction of charminar. He ordered extensive preparation for design and layout.
•               Charminar is an example of Indo-islamic architecture combined with Persian elements.Some also say it was built in honor of fith sultan's wife Bhagyamathi.
•               Four clocks in four cardinal directions were added in the year 1889.

Photos showing arches in Charminar

Notice board in Charminar showing Architectural features

Some interesting facts:

•                It is said there is an underground tunnel connecting Charminar to Golkonda fort(10 kms from Charminar). In case of emergency they will escape through the passage, but still that tunnel is unexplored.
•                Each side is 20 meters in height. The height of each minaret is 48.7 meters from ground level and the total number of circular steps is 149 through which only one person can go.
•                Oldest mosque in Hyderabad.

Our journey experience:               

     We started from cyber gateway by 11 'o clock, booked a cab and he took us to charminar. It is a long travel and the driver was very slow. It took nearly 1 hr 30 minutes. We went into a shop for buying pearls. They had huge collection of pearl necklace, bangles and loose pearls.

The price tag rate was 3600 but we bought it for 1200. The price tag is just for name sake, if we are not bargaining, we are the loosers. We had some people familiar with pearls, so they checked for original pearl.

     Then, I alone went into Charminar, as they went many times. The entry price is Rs.5/- for Indians and Rs.100/- for Foreigners. Good to see city and streets form that altitude. You will also get to know history of Charminar, their civilization, bazaar street etc., in the boards kept there. Took some photos and went down.Maximum you can spend half an hour,there is nothing more to see inside.Then, we went to Pista house for lunch. Lunch was very nice.

     We took a cab and came back to cyber gateway by 4'o clock.

Shopping special:

• Pearls     Be careful there will be duplicates. Better to purchase in some old shops because they have to reatain their customers. So, they will sell only originals. Do bargain, if he is saying 3000 as price ask for 1500.
• Bangles  Bargain and check for good one.
• semi-precious stones
• jewellery
• silverware
• bidriware
• bangles studded with stones
• hand woven materials of silk, cotton,velvet
• Traditional khara dhupattas
• perfumes, attars

Food destination:

        If your a non-veg lover you have lot of hotels near charminar. One famous one is Pista house, which has branches in USA and UAE too. Dont miss eating here if your a non veg lover.

Location:Move in the road behind entrance of charminar, you'll come across mecca masjid in right then two petrol pumps(one on left and the other on right) and within few yards you'll find a big hotel pista house.

        
Veg: 

• Nimrah cafe and bakery(Osmania biscuit is very famous here)
• Anand bhavan

Non-veg:

• Pista house
• Shah ghouse cafe and restaurant