Seven wonders of Hyderabad

 TIMES OF INDIA

• Hyderabadis, you’ve done it again! You have always proved your loyalty towards the city and by sending in your vote, you have done it again. Your everlasting love for Hyderabad has helped us decide what the Seven wonders are and so, we have no one else to thank but you!
  
  Your participation in voting for the top Seven Wonders of Hyderabad just proved how much you love this city — its culture, its historical background and the monuments that mark its being, its modernity with their laidback or chaltha hai attitutde, its peculiar hindi, the scrumptious khaana and the works.
  
  Hau bhai, yaha-waha dekhle ke, aap-ich decide karre kathe...ki Hyderabad ka favorite icon kaunsa hai... aap-ich vote-a lagai so hai, nai? Inta pyaar dikhai so, aap-ish hai nai?!
  
  And hence, after numerous texts and votes, we bring an end to our contest, giving you, your Seven Wonders of Hyderabad!

 

• Charminar
  
  Charminar’s charms need no introduction. The impressive monument with four towering minarets stands tall in the heart of the Old City, as a symbol of the quintessential Hyderabadi old-world charm. built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, in 1591 to commemorate the end of the plague in the city, the monument has managed to withstand the ravages of time as it stood silent testimony to the changes Hyderabad underwent over the past 400-odd years. Even today, nothing can come quite close to the feeling of watching those grand ol’ arches come to life in the night, as the lights that illuminate it change colors from green to purple to red...
  The word Charminar conjures up a million different sights and sounds in the minds of any pucca Hyderabadi... And of these, the Laad Bazaar and its colorful chudi (bangle) shops top the list. It’s said that in its heyday, when the Charminar was at the heart of Hyderabad, the bazaars around it had some 14,000 shops. Today, the famous Laad Baazar still survives, with both locals and tourists alike, thronging its tiny stores for jewelry, exquisite bangles and pearls.
  
  
• Golconda Fort
  
  Dating back to the 13th century, when the Kakatiya rulers first built it, the Golconda Fort is not just an architectural wonder, but also an acoustic marvel. The ruins of the erstwhile majestic fort, rises in glory, some 400 feet above the arid plains around it. There are eight darwazas or gates along its outer wall. Within the walls are a number of old buildings, mosques and mini palaces — each one with a story to tell. The acoustic system of this ancient fort is something that continues to amaze. If you clap your hands at the entrance of the Fort, you can clearly hear it one kilometer away at the Bala Hissar which is the highest point of the Fort.
  Even centuries after its days of glory ended, the legend of the Golconda Fort comes alive every evening with the sound and light show. With a voice-over by Bollywood’s living legend Amitabh Bacchan and a spectacular audio and visual presentation, the show takes us back to the days of yore.
  
  
• Salar Jung Museum
  
  It’s the hub of Hyderabad’s art and heritage. Established in 1951, the Salar Jung Museum is one of the city’s most famous landmarks situated on the southern bank of the river Musi. Being the third largest museum in India, it is home to a collection of sculptures, paintings, carvings, textiles, manuscripts, ceramics, metallic artefacts, carpets, clocks and furniture – from Asia, Europe and America. A large portion of the collection at the museum was acquired by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan (Salar Jung III). Thousands of people flock to the site to have a look at the famous musical clock, bought from Cook and Kelvy of England. The Quran collection from around the world in different fonts and designs and in gold and silver, makes the museum a must visit. From Aurangzeb's sword to the turbans of Tipu Sultan; the Veiled Rebecca to the daggers of Empress Noor Jehan – the Salar Jung Museum -- offers a peek not only into Hyderbad’s rich history but also gives glimpses of the country’s heritage.
  
  
• Rajiv Gandhi International Airport
  
  Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, popularly known as Shamshabad airport, is a state-of-the-art airport, about 22 km south of the city. In terms of international and overall passenger traffic, this airport has been the sixth busiest one for the period between April 2008 and December 2010. And that’s not all. Hyderabad International Airport has been named amongst the world’s top five in the annual Airport Service Quality (ASQ) passenger survey along with the ones at Seoul, Singapore, Hong Kong and Beijing. The cargo terminal at the airport has implemented a concept of an Integrated Cargo Facility housing both domestic and international facilities under one roof.
  
  
• Ramoji Film City
  
  Rightly called the world’s largest integrated film studio, Ramoji Film City is more than just a shooting locale. Spread over 2,000 acres and situated near Hayathnagar, 25 km south-east of the city, Ramoji Film City boasts of an brilliant infrastructure so that 20 international films and 40 Indian films to be produced simultaneously in the complex. It attracts tourists from all over the world to check out the over 500 set locations – including gardens, 50 studio floors, a digital film facility, the support systems, outdoor locations, high-tech laboratories, and much more.
  
  
• Hussian Sagar
  
  Built in 1562 by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali, the Hussian Sagar is a popular landmark of the twin cities. The 16th century Lake is built on a tributary of the Musi River and is the link between the cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The environs of the lake is surrounded by several parks and scenic spots; lined with lawns and statues of famous personalities of the State along the bund of the lake. The jaw-dropping glimmer of the Necklace Road, enhances the beauty of the Hussain Sagar at night. An 18 meter high monolithic statue of Lord Buddha towers over the lake. Chiseled out of a white granite rock and weighting 450 tons, this majestic statue is erected on a lotus pedestal – reflecting peace and tranquility.
  
  
• HICC
  
  India's first full-fledged convention centre, Hyderabad International Convention Center, is the most preferred destination in the country to host prestigious summits, conclaves and even weddings. Built in record time of 14 months, it boasts of a massive internal hall, measuring 6,480 square meters that can host 5,000 people, the hall in itself an architectural wonder as it is pillar-free.
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