HYDERABAD TOURISM

Hyderabad is a blend of the fairy tale and earthy, a pot pouri of old and new. The domed and minaretted monuments of the Qutub Shahi and Asaf Jha nobility and cheek by jowl with massive grass and concrete high-rises. Hyderabad is famous as the former seat of the fabulously wealthy nizams of Hyderabad. Built on the banks of the river Musi, and surrounded by huge prehistoric rock formations like petrified, gray elephants

Hyderabad, India's fifth-largest city, was founded in 1590 by Muhammad Quli, the fourth of the Qutb Shahi kings. They ruled this part of the Deccan from 1512 until 1687, when the last of their line was defeated by the Mughal emperor , Aurangzeb, following nonpayment of the annual tribute to their nominal suzerain in Delhi. Before the founding of Hyderabad , the Qutb Shahi kings ruled from the forted city of Golconda, 11kmto the west. After Aurangzeb's death in 1707, Mughal control over this part of India rapidly waned and the Asaf Jahi viceroys who had been installed to look after the interests of the Mughal Empire broke away to established their own independent state. They give themselves the titles 'subadar' and 'nizam'. These new rulers, allied to the French, became embroiled in the Anglo-French rivalry for control of India during the latter half on the 18th century.

When Indian independence was declare in 1947, the nizam toyed with idea of declaring, an independent state and allowed and Islamic extremist group to seize control, this led to his downfall. The Indian government, unwilling to see an independent and possibly hostile state created in the centre of the Deccan, and mindful of Hyderabad.

Now the time has painted Hyderabad all over changing lifestyle and landscape. Opel Astras and Maruti Zens have shoved aside clip-clopping horse-drawn carriages. Elegantly tiled houses, giant archways and many-windowed homes no longer dot the skyline. Flyovers criss-cross busy intersections. The laid-back metropolis is now a science city. For the past 50 years, a lot of water has flown under the Musi.

Deccan Festivals :- The deccan festival highlights Hyderabad's arts, crafts, culture and cusine. This festival also includes a Pearls and Bangles fair and a food fair. Cultural programs, food stalls arts and craft shops etc. is also organized.

Lumbini Festival :- This festival is organized to celebrate the Buddhist Heritage of Andra Pradesh. The festival is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar and Hyderabad for three days from 2nd Friday of December every year.

Makara Sankranti :- In January, Sankranti also known as the harvest festival, marks the entry of the sun into the northern hemisphere. The day, held auspicious by Hindus, is marked by worship of the Sun God and kite flying. Houses are decorated with rangolis. Seasonal celebrations, temple festivals, tribal traditions are joyful occasions. Makara Sankranti, a 3-day festival in mid January, marks the reaping of a harvest. It is also the festival of kites.

Ugadi :- This native New Year comes soon after the celebration of 'holy' in April-May. Spring is considered as the first season of this native New Year of Andra

Vinayak Chaturthi :- The day is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm throughout the country, because on that day Lord Ganesh was born. Every year the largest Ganesh Idol is installed at Khairatbad in Hyderabad that is taller than thirty feet. On the 11th day of celebration, processions converge at Hussain Sager Lake. The ten-day Ganesh festival concludes with the immersion of Ganesh idols in the lake.

Moharrum :- Moharrum is celebrated in Hyderabad, Muslims also celebrate Milad-un-Nabi with assemblies held Mecca Masjid and at Dar-us-Salaam. Traditionally, the Muharram period lasts over a month and is observed by Muslims and Hindus with temperance. On the 8th and 10th days of Muharram, people of all religions pay respect at Chote Hazrat ki Dargah, inside Devan Devadi, in Hyderabad. Muharram of Hyderabad is considered as popular as the morning of Benaras, the evening of Oudh the Dasara of Mysore.

Best Season to visit Hyderabad is in the month of September and Februrary.