It is been quite a few months since my last travel to Varanasi. Suddenly college announced a week of work from home and a holiday which fell on a Monday. So came my long weekend with travel plan. I travelled to Vizag from Delhi and my friend joined me on the way. We took a night bound train from Vizag to Hyderabad and Reached Hyderabad in a breezy morning on 28th August.
Day 1:
It was absolutely a backpacking trip for us. We quickly got into a hotel to freshen up, took little rest and started our day. Our first destination was Pragati Tiffin centre for breakfast.
We had Ganga Jamuna ( a combination of idly and upma in coconut chutney) followed by Cheese masala Dosa. The prices are quite reasonable here. After our sumptuous breakfast we took an auto. Our next destination was Golconda fort.
The weather was amazing in the end of August. Sky was overcast. The cool breeze made it more soothing. Golconda fort is on a 390 foot granite hill. The massive structure has a total circumference of 5 kilometer.
As we started climbing up the fort the city started unfolding itself. The Baradari is located at the topmost part of the fort. From there a 360 degree view of the city is quite magnificent. As we started descending, it started raining.
It was late afternoon when we came out of the fort and started towards our food destination. It was Shadab near Madina circle where we stopped for a late lunch. Even in the late afternoon also the place is quite busy. After a wait of thirty minutes we could occupy a table. Famous for its Biriyani and kebabs Shadab serves you with old Hyderabadi charms.
It was almost 5 in the evening when we finished our lunch. It was raining heavily when we came out. We took an auto to Hussain sagar lake. Boating is available in Hussain sagar lake though preferred not to. Due to the late lunch we decided to skip dinner. However, we planned to visit Mozamjahi market. This place is well connected with metro. Ghandhi nagar metro is only at the stone throw distance from Mozamjahi market.
Sitting in the open air in the backdrop of the market building with the ice cream from Famous Ice cream we ended our first day at Hyderabad.
Day 2:
Second day started with breakfast at Govind Dosa Bandi at Ghansi Bazar. At least a dozens of variety available for Dosa, idly and Vara. One of the most sold items here is Tawa idly, a version of fried idly with hot spices.
Our next stop was Salar Jung museum. This semi circular building has 38 galleries in total. 20 on the ground floor and 18 on the first floor. It takes around 3 to 4 hours for a serious audience to go through all the galleries diligently. The two most famous of all the exhibits in Salar Jung are the Veiled Rebecca ( a marble sculpture of a lady) and Mephistopheles & Margaretta ( a both sided Wooden sculpture 19th century CE).
However, tired we are, headed towards our lunch destination 'Hotel Nayab' at Nayapul road. This place is famous for Nehari. We had Paya Nehari and Biriyani. It is needless to say, that the rates are quite reasonable here too.
Evening we took a stroll in the charminar area and headed to have a glass of special Chia seed lassi at Matwale doodh ghar near by. We finished our day with a Tandori platter in Pista House. One must try at Pista House is " Patthar ke Ghost" if it is available.
Day 3:
This was our last day at Hyderabad. We left our hotel in the morning. First we visited Charminar and then had a plate full of mixed cookies and cup of tea at Nimrah cafe and bakery. Variety of bakery products are available there but for a confused first timer they have solution of Mixed bag which costs us around Rs. 80/-.
After this breakfast we headed towards Chowmahalla Palace nearby. It was official residence of the Nizams when they rule the state. There are four palaces, hence the name. Built in several phases, the Chowmahalla palace is a living witness of the luxury and grandeur of the Nizam dynassty.
On our way to Railway station we paid a quick visit to Sardar Mahal. Once a residence for consort of Nizam VI, Sardar Begum, now this building acts as Charminar Municipal Corporation.
We did not forget to pay a quick visit to famous Karachi Bakery and purchase some goodies from there as well.
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