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Commissioned by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah to commemorate the end of the plague, and completed in the dying years of the 16th century, the Charminar is many things to many people - an instantly recognizable landmark for out-of-towners, a handy half-second establishing shot for filmmakers, a supremely convenient logo for everyone from municipal corporations to cigarette manufacturers.
|  | | |  | Golconda
Golconda is more than just the Fort; it's a little city in itself. Enter the huge iron gates, rusted in place for centuries, and you'll discover a community with its own schools, cafes and wedding halls. This was, after all, the original kingdom before Hyderabad. The popular Sound & Light Show, takes you through an era of royalty, espionage and romance.
|  | | |  | Salarjung Museum
Spread over 10 acres and 4 floors, and with close to 40,000 exhibits, the museum is a collection of various artifacts gathered by Nawab Turab Ali Khan, popularly known as Salar Jung I, the diwan of the Hyderabad State, and his descendants, with the collection of Salar Jung III alias Mir Yousuf Ali Khan forming the major chunk of the art pieces on display.
|  | | |  | Shilparamam
A tale told in brick-red, potter's clay and thatch. Shilparamam is the arts and crafts cultural village in Hyderabad. Artists from all over India showcase their art work here. Set amidst lush rustic ambience, Shilparamam is a kaleidoscope of India's diverse art forms. |  | | |  | Birla Mandir
One of Hyderabad's most popular temples, the Birla Mandir was built in 1976, and is young, fashionably clean, made of 100% pristine and super-smooth marble, and surrounded by neat little rose gardens and manicured lawns. The materialistic connotations of its nomenclature notwithstanding, devotees throng here day in and day out, elders and toothless babies in tow.
|  | | | | Content courtesy : www.fullhyd.com |
| | | Lad Bazaar
All manner of treats and trinkets are bought and sold and fixed price is an "innovation" that hasn't wormed its way here. Bangles, perfumes and attars, pearls, old books in ornate nastaliq and improbably coloured and named sweets rule the roost. Lad Bazaar warrants a visit while in the vicinity of the Charminar - if not for actual purchase, definitely to get a glimpse of what the Old City of Hyderabad is all about.
|  | | | | Hyderabad Central
5 floors of brands, offers and sales will wrench the miser out of you and let you make up for all the shopping sins you did not commit. From jewelry to handbags to watches to footwear, from Lee to Levi's to Provogue to Tuscan Verve, all manner of brands reside on these gleaming floors. Plain blue Jeans straddle the shelves while silken sherwanis stand tall on mannequins.
|  | | | | GVK Mall
Hyderabad's swankiest mall, GVK One houses high-fashion names that include Giordano, Bossini, United Colours Of Benetton, Planet Sport, Mango and Calvin Klein. Also, the Hard Rock The star attraction, however, seems to be a freely photographable giant cylindrical aquarium planted in the middle.
|  | | | | General Bazaar
This is where middle class Hyderabad-Secunderabad makes monthly pilgrimages to, specially the fairer sex. The General Bazaar – Patny stretch houses stores for everything you’d need in a wardrobe, specially if you’re getting married.
|  | | | | Abids
One of Hyderabad’s oldest commercial centers, Abids is ideal for almost all things money can buy, from expensive jewellery to discount department stores (with the Big Bazaar inviting you in). Clear one of those Sunday mornings for a walk through a mega second hand book sale on its streets.
|  | | | | Content courtesy : www.fullhyd.com |
| | | Paradise
This is, at heart, a Biryani cafe. The fragrance of the spices, the seductively long grains of rice, the delicate morsels buried under the rice waiting for the eager diner to uncover them, and the incomparable gravy that accompanies it.
|  | | | | Chutneys (Banjara Hills)
Chutneys has fans who will go there knowing that there's an unbelievably long U-turn to take if you are coming from Nagarjuna Circle (Hyderabad has always had the smartest of traffic police), and will willingly wait, many times on road outside, for upto 30 minutes to get entry - on weekdays. In case you didn't already know, it's the South-Indian - Andhra, actually - fare that makes people beat down the doors here.
|  | | | | Minerva Coffee Shop
Minerva means different things to different people. Steaming, fluffy idlis. Super-crisp 70mm paper dosas. Mushy rice pongal with coconut chutney. In short, all those delish dishes that are clubbed together in the South under that succinct title - tiffins.
|  | | | | Sahib, Sindh, Sultan
The dining experience begins at the door where the hosts in period apparel guide you to your table. Done in accents evoking all the charm of Hindustan circa 1850, the restaurant is all about unpretentious Indian food bringing back memories of the Colonial
|  | | | | Little Italy
With its food, Little Italy is a class act. If you are one of those who thinks Italian meant bland mayonnaise, cheese and pasta, Little Italy will deliver a knockout punch. Many customers would delightfully opine that the pizzas are better than any Domino's or Pizza Hut whip up, and hyperactively recommend the Sicilia Pizza. There's no shortage of spicy dishes - you just have to hint it to the head waiter, and he'll gleefully perform a fox trot.
|  | | | | Content courtesy : www.fullhyd.com |
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All about Customs
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country.
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Clearance Channels
The baggage clearance at major International Airports in India consist of two channels for clearance.
Green channel: not having any dutiable goods to declare.
Red channel: having dutiable goods to declare.
Remember: Non declaration & wrongful declaration of the dutiable goods may attract confiscation of goods, fine or penalty. Serious offences like attempting to smuggle Gold, without declaration may lead to arrest & prosecution. The Indian Revenue Department has specified a list of items, including the size that can now be imported duty-free as part of baggage.
 Please visit the official website of Customs department, Government Of India, for detailed information
http://www.cbec.gov.in/travellers.htm
There are several countries regarded as Yellow Fever-infected. For further details and updated information, please visit
www.immigrationindia.nic.in/health_regulations.htm
The following regulations apply to citizens of the affected countries:
(A) For entry into India:-Any person, Foreigner or Indian, (excluding infants below six months) arriving by air or sea without a vaccination certificate of yellow fever will be kept in quarantine isolation for a period up to 6 days if:
1. He arrives in India within 6 days of departure/transit from a yellow fever endemic area.
2. Has come on a ship which has started from or transited at any port in a yellow fever endemic country within 30 days of its arrival in India provided such ship has not been disinfected in accordance with the procedure laid down by WHO.
(B) For leaving India:-There is no health check requirement by Indian Government on passengers leaving India.
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There are many five star, deluxe and heritage hotels all over India waiting to serve tourists
to standards in line with international standards of hospitality |
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Home stay is becoming popular in many ‘touristy’
destinations and can sometimes give a much closer view of India. |
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There are a number of budget hotels and guesthouses
for budget travelers. |
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Tourists can also stay at the YWCA and YMCA
hostels located in different parts of India. |
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India is well connected by air, trains and road
transport. Advance booking is possible for all of
them, hence try to make a tentative plan for your stay /
travel in India. |
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Have photocopies of all the important documents
like passport visas travel insurance and driving license etc
just in case it is lost is a wise way to ensure you at least
have a copy. |
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Keep important emergency numbers with you. Print emergency numbers in Delhi. |
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Don’t forget cash. Credit cards /Debit cards /
travelers cheque are the safe mode of payment, however in
many situations cash would be required. Try to keep
some local currency in hand. |
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Hiring taxis from prepaid booths or availing of
services of registered cabs is always safer. If you do
travel by local transport, insist on going by the meter or
fix the fare in advance to avoid being fleeced. |
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If you are unsure about booking local transport yourself, ask your tour operator to
do it for you. |
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On the whole, India is a safe country. But all visitors
should exercise the usual levels of vigilance. |
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Always drink bottled water or packaged mineral water. |
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Avoid spicy food, especially if you’re not used to
it. |
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Beware of touts; be assertive and confident and don’t give
them the impression that you are unfamiliar with India. |
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Familiarizing yourself with a couple of commonly used words
or phrases in the local language will help you while
shopping or talking to the local people. |
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India is geographically varied, therefore the climate also
varies. Always be aware of the weather before you travel to
a region. Always make sure you carry the appropriate
clothing to keep yourself comfortable, so you can enjoy your
trip. |
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English is a commonly used and understood language
throughout India. However, interpreters and guides for other
languages are also easy to book. |
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Indians are fairly friendly and helpful |
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One can find all basic food / amenities confirming to
international quality and standards. |
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All banks in India function from Monday to Friday. There are
many ATMs from which one can withdraw cash 24x7. |
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All post offices in India are open from Monday to Friday |
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All the government and administrative offices in India
operate from 0930 to 1700 hours on weekdays. |
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DON'T carry your passport and important travel documents at
all times |
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DO carry attested photocopies of travel documents in person
and keep the originals safely. |
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DON'T buy air/rail or travel tickets from unauthorized
persons. |
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