The Charminar stands tall and regally splendorous at night when it is illuminated. Amidst the glitzy cadence of the surrounding markets, known as Laad Baazar and Pather Gatti, this romantic monument, which has four clocks installed in its minarets, stands as a timeless master piece of architecture.

 

The majestic Charminar (Four Minarets), which lies at the heart of the bustling metropolis of Hyderabad, is synonymous with this city. Counted as one of the seven wonders of Hyderabad, it is often referred to as ‘Arc de Triomphe of the East’.  

 

It is an epitome of the ardent prayers by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah of the Shahi Dynasty who, prior to its construction in 1591, prayed for peace and harmony for people of all religions and creeds.  

 

This 56 meters high Indo-Islamic style marvel has four elegantly carved minarets gazing solemnly at the four cardinal directions.  Each minaret has 149 winding steps in it and the sight from the top offers a breathtaking view of the city and the Golconda Fort.  The magnificent 11 meter wide arches open into the four royal ancestral streets which hosts innumerable shops selling charming bangles and pearls.

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Location:

The capital city of the state of Andhra Pradesh in South India, Hyderabad, along with its twin city Secunderabad, lies in the Deccan Plateau of South-Central India, on the banks of the river Musi. It is situated 500 meters above the sea level.

 

Geographical Coordinates:  

Latitude: 17.40˚ N     

Longitude: 78.48˚ E  

Population:   6.7 million

 

Linguistic groups:  

Hyderabad chiefly is a confluence of the Telugu and the Urdu speaking communities, both of which constitute up to 80 percent of the population. There is also a considerable percentage of population that speaks Hindi, Marathi and Kannada. Urdu in Hyderabad is an interesting admixture of words imbibed from Telugu and Marathi.  Conversely, Telugu also draws largely from Urdu and Marathi. This trend has given rise to a peculiar dialect called the ‘Hyderabadi’.  Since the past decade, the city is drawing people from all over India, which makes it truly cosmopolitan.  

 

Religions:  

Hindus and Muslims make up to roughly 40 percent each, of the total population. The rest of the 20 percent comprises of Christian, Sikh and Jain communities.  

 

Languages:

Urdu and Telugu are widely spoken, though a sizeable population is conversant in English and Hindi.  Marathi and Kannada also have a presence in the city.  

 

Governing Body:  

The city is governed by the democratically elected Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, which governs the civic and infrastructural amenities.   The city is divided into 5 zones and 17 circles.  Lately, some Municipalities of the neighbouring Rangareddy District have also been merged into the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.  The Government comprises of a Legislative Assembly (294 members), Legislative Council (90 members), the executive body and the judiciary; its jurisdiction extends across the state of Andhra Pradesh.  

 

Major Political Parties:     

Indian National Congress, Telugu Desam Party headed by M. Chandrababu Naidu,  Praja Rajyam headed by Chiranjeevi , Bharateeya Janatha Party, Telangana Rashtra Samiti headed by K. Chandrasekhara Rao, NTR Telugu Desam Party headed by Lakshmi Parvathi and the Communist Party of India.   

 

Eminent Industrialists:

Dr. Anji Reddy (Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories), S.P.Y Reddy (Nandi Group), Ramoji Rao (ETV Group, Margadarsi Chit Funds etc.), Vikram Akula (SKS Microfinance),     

 

Environmental Issues:  

Pollution and depletion of underground water levels.  

 

Natural Hazards:  

Mild earthquakes occur infrequently in the area. The overflowing of Hussein Sagar, a man made lake, during monsoons, causes floods.  

 

Climate:  

Temperature varies between 40˚C in summer, to 14˚C in winter.  

 

Clothing:    

Light cottons, preferably white, in summer; Woolen and thick cotton in winter.  

 

Business Days:   Monday to Saturday.  

 

Country dialing code:   +91 40

 

Internet Code:   .in  

 

Currency:   Indian Rupees

  

Exchange Rates:   Rs 47.76 for US $1

   

 

 

Major Annual Events: *

 

January

Sankranthi; Annual Music & Dance Festival of Hyderabad; Kite Festival of Hyderabad.  

  

February

Deccan Festival; Cinema Today.  

 

March /April

Yugadi also known as Ugadi (Telugu New Year); Eid Milad.    

 

July/ August /  September

Ganesha Chathurthi; Bonalu; Ramadan (Ramzan); Eid-Ul-Fitr; Shab-e-Barat; Hyderabad Jewellry,Pearl and Gems fair.

 

October / November

Dusserah (Vijayadasami); Deepavali; Hyderabad Open Tennis Tournament.  

 

December

Bakrid; Lumbini Festival.        

 

 

 

Medical Facilities:  

Hyderabad has a large number of advanced hospitals, diagnostic centers and other medical care facilities. A fair number of multi-specialty and super-specialty hospitals have sprung up in the recent years.    

 

Banks:

All the major international, nationalized and private banks have a presence in Hyderabad, operating between 9:30 am and 3.30 pm.  

 

Media:

Print media comprises of over 20 news papers and magazines published in Telugu, English and Urdu.  Majority of the television channels are in Telugu, with ETV, Gemini, Teja and Maa TV being prominent.  FM radio stations like Radio Mirchi, Radio City, Big FM, Vividh Bharathi, Air Rainbow, et al, are operating in the city.  

 

Local time:  

Indian Standard Time (IST) (+5.30 GMT). 

 

 

 

* Religious festivals are subject to vary according to the Hindu and Muslim calendars.