Visiting Golconda Fort Hyderabad – tourist tips

View from top of Golconda Fort

This is the fort that can give you the chills and thrills. If you go by day, the heat is killing, the climb arduous. Go there in the evening for the sound and light show and it’s almost as if you can hear the fort speak long after the show fades out. It’s one of the truly atmospheric forts whose ramparts are still forbidding.

Visiting Chowmahalla Palace Hyderabad

The Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad is truly an eye-popping splendour. Begun in 1750 by Salabat Jung on a 45 acre site that successive Nizams expanded with additional palaces, the Chowmahalla Palace is the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty as explained in the information given at the site. It also happens to be the first and most splendid of Asaf Jahi Palaces in Hyderabad. 

Information about Mir Osman Ali Khan Asaf Jah VII

• 1911 abolished the death penalty from civilian criminal code.

• 1921 – Separated Judiciary from Executive. Took 53 yeas for it to be implemented in the rest of India.

• Hyderabad was the only state in British India to coin its own money, have its own postal system and print its own stamps.
•  Free primary education in State. Set up Osmania University in 1917. It was the first University in the country to have Urdu as primary medium of education with English being the compulsory second language. 
•  Donated to Aligarh Muslim University, Shantiniketan, Shivaji Vidyapeeth, Bhandarkar Institute, Lady Harding Medical College, Red Cross, Golden Temple in Amritsar. Donated last 14,000 acres to Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan movement.  

What you should not miss: Selaih Khana – Arms & Armour Collection of Asaf Jahi Dynasty  (1724 -1949 CE).

Chowmahalla Palace Timings for viewing: 10am -5pm (Closed on Fridays and National Holidays)

Chowmahalla Palace entry tickets price: Indian Visitor - Rs.30/- / International Visitor - Rs.150/-

Additional Facilities: You can book the venue for parties & other celebratory events.

Chowmahalla Palace Contact Information:
Khilwat, 20-4-236,
Motigalli
Hyderabad - 500 002
Ph: +91 40 24522032
E-mail: chowmahallapalace@yahoo.co.in

 

Visiting Birla Mandir Hyderabad

One of the many well-know places of worship in Hyderabad is the Birla Mandir, so named because it has been established by the Birla Foundation. The marble temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, while there are individual shrines for the Lord's consorts, namely Andal and Padmavati.

A unique feature of the Birla Mandir, Hyderabad is that there are no traditional temple bells. It is said that the Swamiji who had consecrated this temple had insisted on the absence of bells so as not to disturb the meditative ambience of the temple premises.

Before you enter the temple complex, you need to leave your footwear as well as mobile phones at the counter near the entrance. After you have payed obeseiance to the deity, do climb up to the upper sections - you will get the best views of Hyderabad city from here.

Birla Mandir Hyderabad Temple Timings: 7a.m. to 12noon and 3p.m. to 9p.m.

Birla Mandir Address: The temple is located in the Adarsh Nagar area. You can reach there from Lakdi-ka-pul MMTS (Multi-Modal Transport System) station. The nearest railway station is the Nampally railway station (approx. 3kms.

South Food Corner Hyderabad restaurant review

The South Food Corner (SFC) restaurant's name as well as its décor is meant to look like KFC. It is a vegetarian restaurant with self service. The restaurant is open 7 days a week, from 7a.m. to 11p.m. Home delivery and catering services for celebratory occasions is also provided by SFC.
  
South Food Corner Menu: Before you even take a bit of anything, make sure you order filter coffee. The filter coffee here is to die for! If you are looking for something really filling, don't look beyond the uttappa Rs.35/-) - heavy to digest, yes, but lovely to taste. It was large, full of crunchy onions, coriander & green chillies but not over spiced at all.
Besides southern Indian cuisine, a couple of Chinese & North Indian dishes as well as snacks are also served at SFC.

On the Menu:
Idli - Rs.25/-
Vada - Rs.25/-
Idli-vada combo - Rs.30/-
Idli sambhar - Rs.25/-
Vada sambhar - Rs.30/-
Button idli - Rs.25/-
Button vada - Rs.30/-
Upma - Rs.25/-
Puri-kurma - Rs.30/-
Plain Dosa - Rs.30/-
Onion Dosa - Rs.35/-
Masala Dosa - Rs.35/-
Pesarattu - Rs.35/-
M.L.A. Pesarattu - Rs.40/-
Rava Dosa, Onion Rava Dosa, Steam Dosa, Set Dosa, Paneer Dosa - each Rs.40/-
Rava Paneer Dosa -Rs.45/- 
70mm Dosa - Rs.65/-
Chapati Dal & kurma - Rs.35/-
Chola Batura - Rs.50/-

Rice dishes:
Flavoured rice - Rs.35/-
Pongal rice - Rs.35/-
Curd rice - Rs.40/-
Bisibele Bhath - Rs.45/-
Veg. Pulao / Dum Biryani - Rs.50/-
Curd rice & flavoured rice combo - Rs.40/-
South Indian meal - this includes 2 puris, 1 bowl of steamed rice, dal, veg. curry, sambar, rasam, curd, papad, pickle and a sweet - Rs. 60/- 

Snacks:
Mysore bajji, Alu bonda, Mirchi bajji, Samosa - each Rs.20/- per plate.
Veg. Cutlet - Rs.40/-
Corn Toast - Rs. 40/-
Paneer Pakoda - Rs.25/- 

Hot Beverages: 
Tea - Rs.10/-
Ginger Tea - Rs. 15/-
Coffee - Rs.15/- 
Nescafe - Rs.20/-
Milk - Rs.15/-
Horlicks - Rs.20/-
Bournvita - Rs.20/-

Cold Beverages:
Lassi - Rs.20/-
Buttermilk - Rs.15/-
Cold Coffee - Rs.25/-
300ml Soft drink - Rs.15/-
500ml Soft drink - Rs.25/-
Mineral water - Rs.15/-


South Food Corner Hyderabad Contact Information
Banjara Hills
Hyderabad - 500 034
Ph: 42000799
Contact person: Junaid - Mobile: 9985246522


Other dining options in Hyderabad:
1. Shri Rang restaurant 

2. Chutney's 

Visiting Salar Jung Museum Hyderabad

Even if you are making a short trip to Hyderabad, you absolutely must squeeze in at least 2 hours to visit the extraordinary Salar Jung Museum. Of course, to see the entire museum, 2 hours is just not enough!

Part of the entry ticket to the museum

 Before you visit 3 hot tips:

• Photographs strictly not allowed anywhere inside the premises. You will have to leave your camera/video-cam at the cloak room near the ticket booking counter.
• As soon as you enter, you will see a souvenirs shop where you can buy postcards, keychains, coasters, pen holders, etc. Buy right away if you wish - do not keep it for the end of your museum tour, as you will not be allowed to come back around inside to enter!
• Don't throw away the other half of your entry ticket which is given back after the perforated part is taken before you enter - it has a mini-map layout of  the locations of the galleries in the Salar Jung museum, so it will help you to quickly locate the specific sections you wish to see.

Sections of the museum on rear part of entry ticket - as stated on it, you can use it as a bookmark!

                                               

Salar Jung Museum Review

Since there are more than 30 galleries, spread over 3 blocks - Indian, Western, and Eastern - if you are short of time, here's a list of sections which you  absolutely must not miss:

1. Salar Jung Museum Clocks: As soon as you enter the museum on the ground floor there is a viewing gallery where you will see a clock on a pedestal. Another clock which you must rush to see if the hour is  going to strike is the Salar Jung museum musical clock in the European Clocks Gallery in Room No. 4, Western Block, 1st floor. When the hour strikes, a tiny man pops out and strikes a gong the same number of times as the hour.

2. Jade Gallery: This is Room No. 28 in the main building on the first floor. Here, do read the info given about jade - It is made of 3 minerals – Jadeite, Nephrite and Chloromenalite. In Europe, there is a version of Jade that is Agate. Agate of alternative black and white bands is Onyx. Nephrite Jade was in use in China for past 3000 years. Jade carving developed in India during Mughal rule.

What to see: Backscratchers (those long stick-like implements to scratch the parts of your back you can’t reach!!!) made of Agate, Jambia (daggers) reputed to have been used by Noorjehan and Jahangir. 

3. Arms and Armour Gallery: This  is Room No.14 in the main building on the ground floor. Weaponry, fire-arms and even gunpowder containers are displayed here.

What to see: Sword of Salar Jung III encrusted with uncut diamonds from Jaipur and a curved sword (Abbasi) presented by Viceroy & Governor General of India Earl Canning to Nawab Salar Jung I in 1858 A.D. 

4. European Paintings Gallery: This is Room No.1, Western Block, 1st floor. 

What to see: Last hour of Marie Antoinette by Charles Muller; Gossip by EV Blass – 1845-1932; and Scolding.

5. European Porcelain Gallery: This is Room No.5, Western Block, 1st floor.

What to see: Sevres Porcelain - 1800-1814; Wedgwood Pottery of the 18^th century; Dresden Porcelain of the 18^th Century; Lovely porcelain figurines of Napoleon made in Germany; Souvenir Porcelains commemorating the British and Prussian victory over Napoleon in Waterloo in 1815. 

6. Egyptian Gallery: This is Room No. 26, Central Block, 1st floor. Don't miss seeing the throne of Tutankhamen (of course, it is a replica!)

 Entrance Ticket Fees of Salar Jung Museum

• General public: Rs.10/- 
• Students with identity cards: 50% concession. 
• Armed Forces personnel in uniform, organized Kisan parties, children below 12 years: 50% concession. 
• Foreign visitors: Rs. 150/-
• Children's Week (14th to 20th November every year) school children upto 12 years of age accompanied by teachers: free entry.
• Museum Week (8th - 14th January every year) general public: concession in the entrance ticket.

Timings of Salar Jung Museum: 10a.m. to 5pm.

Holidays when Salar Jung Museum will be closed

• Milad Un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Mohammad)
• Holi
• Dr. BR Ambedkar's Birthday
• Salar Jung Death Anniversary (May 5th)
• Idu’l Fitr (Ramzan)
• Dassehra
• Idu’l Zuha (Bakrid)
• Muharram

Map Location of Salar Jung Museum

View salarjungmuseum in a larger map

Address and Phone Numbers of Salar Jung Museum

Salar Jung Museum

Hyderabad - 500 002

Andhra Pradesh, India.

Ph: 91 040 24576443/ 91 040 24523211, 13 Ext: 301

Fax: 040-24572558

Email of Salar Jung Museum: salarjung@hotmail.com

Dining at Shri Rang restaurant Hyderabad

The Hyderabad heat can be a real killer as it is extremely dry heat and your throat will feel constantly parched. If you happen to be in Begumpet, then quench your thirst at the Shri Rang restaurant in the Kamat Lingapur Hotel for the most extraordinary khara (salty) lassi that you have ever tasted. It is value for money at Rs.27/- and you will likely want to have a second glass! 

Shri Rang restaurant Review

Location: The Kamat Lingapur Hotel is a 3-star hotel located in a quieter lane off a busy main road area of Begumpet in Hyderabad. 

Menu: On the Shri Rang restaurant menu are Indian, Chinese, North Indian and Continental cuisine. Only vegetarian cuisine is served here. It also serves traditional Saraswat Konkani food like chanyachi ghashi and batatachisong (exorbitant price of Rs.70/- for each!) and there are specially made dishes for the calorie-conscious diner. Sizzlers, lasagna, macaroni, spaghetti, paneer-based food, variety of veggies, deserts & beverages are on the menu.

Food: It is cheaper to order a thali rather than individual items on the menu. The thali, though, is strictly Ok and nothing served in the thali really made a mark on the taste buds. Nevertheless, it was a reasonable Rs.70/- (Rs.88/- with tax) unlike Chutney’s restaurant which is way overpriced.

Served in the thali: dry lauki (dudhi), white rajma, gongura dal, plain rasam, brinjal sambhar, cabbage chutney, sabudana payasam. Prior to you meal, you can have the Tambolee, a coconut paste-based soup with spices (Rs.70/-).

You can opt for the business lunch with fixed courses for Rs.90/- (tax extra). The morning breakfast is of the buffet type, for Rs. 80/- (tax extra). 

Contact Information of Shri Rang Restaurant Begumpet Hyderabad:

Kamat Lingapur Hotel
1-10-44/2, Chikoti Gardens
Begumpet, 

Hyderabad - 500 016
Andhra Pradesh

India

Restaurant Ph: +91 40 2776 4242 Extn 252

 

Dining at Chutney's Hyderabad

The chain of Chutney's restaurants is well known in Hyderabad and has 3 locations - Jubilee Hills; Banjara Hills; and Himayath Nagar. There is also one at Secunderabad.

Chutney's Restaurant Banjara Hills Hyderabad Review

The prices of some of the dishes at Chutney's is Somewhat like Murugan’s in Chennai,  but the prices are way steeper. Service is smiling and impeccable. Seating pretty uncomfortable, as it is difficult to stretch legs due to table having a centre pedestal.

Pongal, which is the South version of the Maharashtrian phodni bhaat, but much heavier on the stomach. Comes with its own sambar plus all dishes have the 4 chutney accompaniments; the best was the basic white coconut with a slightly sweet taste. 

Tips:

* Tax + Service charge of 5% on price mentioned in menu.

* Only if your bill exceeds Rs.250/-, debit & cedit cards are accepted for payment.

Cuisine: Noth Indian, South Indian, Tandoori, Chinese.

- Menu warns diners not to leave phones, cash, valuables and - this is a first! – specatacles in you car or anywhere in the restaurant. 

Available at all times: Idly (Rs.45/-) and a variety of dosas (Rs.65/- to Rs.105/-); A 70mm long dosa can be enjoyed fro Rs.145/-

Dosas available during lunch & dinner only: Mixed veg. dosa, pudina dosa, palak paneer dosa, paneer tikka dosa, baby corn dosa, mushroom dosa (each is Rs. 110/-)

Beverages include: Tea (Rs.40/-), coffee (Rs.40/-), soft drinks (Rs.40/-), lassi (Rs.75/-), butter milk (Rs.55/-), fresh lime soda (Rs.55/-).

Available between 7.30a.m. to 11a.m. and 4pm.to 7p.m.:

* Vada (menu makes it clear that you will have to wait 10mins for this) – Rs.56/-

* Upma – Rs.46/-

* Pesarattu – Rs. 65/-

* Pongal (only available in the mornings) – Rs. 54/-

* Mysore/Mirchi/Arati Bajji (only available in the evenings) – Rs.68/-

* Chole Batura (11a.m. to 8.30p.m.) -  Rs.110/-

* Dahi Vada (11a.m. to 8.30p.m.) – Rs. 82/- 

Meals include:

* Soups (Rs.88/- each)

* Indian Starters (Rs. 200/-)

* Chinese Starters (Rs.175/Rs.195)

* Indian Main Course: Veggies, curries, kurmas, paneer dishes, and Jain specialitis (Rs.195/-)

* Chinese Main Course: Chow (Rs.175/-), Manchurian dishes (Rs.195/-)

* Rotis (Rs.32 to Rs.47/-); Pulka (Rs.28/-)

* Biryanis: Jeera rice (Rs.100/-); Veg. biryani (Rs.160/-); Curd rice (Rs.80/-)

* Thali: South Indian thali (Rs.150/-); if you order a takeaway it will cost Rs.155/-)

Note: you cannot share the thali; it is one thali per person.

* Desserts: Gulab jamun (Rs.60/-); Ice-creams.

* Shakes: Mango/Pineapple/Vanilla/Strawberry (Rs.100/-)

* Fresh juices: Mosambi/Water melon/ Grape/ Pineapple (Rs.90/-)

Cheaper dining option & well worth a visit just for the lassi: Shri Rang restaurant