Charminar was the creation of Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth king of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, in 1591. It is a four-towered mosque and monument. It is located in the heart of the old city of Hyderabad and is considered a symbol of the city’s heritage and culture. Charminar is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Hyderabad and offers a glimpse into the history, architecture, and lifestyle of the bygone era. We will guide you through how to reach Charminar and tell you about its history, architecture, the best time to visit, and things to do near it.
History of Charminar
Charminar, which means “four minarets“, is a four-sided monument with four towers that stands on Charminar Road in the old city. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah built it in 1591 to commemorate the end of a plague that had ravaged the city. It was also meant to serve as a mosque and a madrasa (Islamic school).
According to some legends, Quli Qutb Shah built Charminar at the spot where he first saw his beloved queen Bhagmati.
Architecture of Charminar
Charminar is a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture, with influences from Persian and Turkish styles. It has a square base with each side measuring 20 meters (66 feet). Each side has a large arch that opens into a plaza.
The four minarets rise to a height of 48.7 meters (160 feet) from the ground. Each minaret has four stories, each marked by a balcony. The minarets also have intricate carvings and designs.
The top floor of Charminar has a mosque with 45 prayer spaces. The mosque also has a dome and several windows that offer a view of the city.
Best Time to Visit Charminar
Charminar is open to visitors from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on all days of the week. The entry fee is Rs. 5 for Indians and Rs. 100 for foreigners. You can also climb up to the first floor of the monument and enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the balconies.
The best time to visit Charminar is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and suitable for sightseeing. Avoid visiting during the summer months (April to June), as it can get very hot and humid. Also, avoid visiting during the peak hours (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). You may face a lot of noise and crowd there.
How to Reach Charminar
Charminar is located in the old city of Hyderabad, which is about 6 km from the Nampally railway station, and about 20 km from the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.
Reach Charminar by various modes of transport, such as bus, metro, taxi, or car. The nearest bus stop is Makkah Masjid, which is about 100 meters from Charminar.
Take bus number 8A or 8B from Nampally railway station or bus number 9X or 9Y from Secunderabad railway station to reach Makkah Masjid.
The nearest metro station is Mahatma Gandhi Road, which is about 2 km from Charminar. You can take the Red Line metro from Miyapur or Nagole to reach Mahatma Gandhi Road. You can also take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw from any part of the city to reach Charminar. Prepare to face traffic congestion and narrow lanes in the old city.
Things to Do Near Charminar
There are many things to do near Charminar that will make your visit more enjoyable and memorable. Here are some of them:
- Explore the Laad Bazaar: This is a bustling market that surrounds Charminar. It is famous for its colorful bangles, pearls, jewelry, clothes, antiques, and other items. You can shop for souvenirs, bargain with vendors, or just soak in the vibrant atmosphere of the market.
- Visit the Mecca Masjid: This is one of the oldest and largest mosques in India, located near Charminar. It was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1617 with bricks made from soil brought from Mecca, the holy city of Islam. It has a large courtyard, a pond, a clock tower, and several tombs of the Qutb Shahi rulers. You can admire the architecture and craftsmanship of the mosque and pay your respects at the tombs.
- See the Chowmahalla Palace: This is a majestic palace that was once the residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad. It is located about 1 km from Charminar. It was built in the 18th century and consists of four palaces with elegant courtyards, gardens, fountains, and halls. It also houses a museum that displays various artifacts, weapons, costumes, paintings, and photographs related to the Nizam’s rule.
- Enjoy the Nimrah Cafe and Bakery: This is a popular cafe that offers a splendid view of Charminar from its windows. It is famous for its Irani chai (tea) and Osmania biscuit cookies. To prepare Irani chai, a tea decoction, and milk are mixed. The milk is simmered for hours to make the tea creamy. Osmania biscuits are soft and buttery biscuits that melt in your mouth. You can also try other snacks and sweets at this cafe.
- Experience the Salar Jung Museum: This is one of the largest museums in India and one of the three national museums in the country. It is located on the banks of the Musi River near it. It was established in 1951 by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan Salar Jung III, a former prime minister of Hyderabad. It has a collection of over 40,000 artifacts from various countries and periods, such as paintings, sculptures, textiles, weapons, clocks, furniture, etc. One of its most famous exhibits is the Veiled Rebecca, a marble statue of a woman with a transparent veil.
Charminar is a historic and iconic monument of Hyderabad that showcases its history, architecture, and culture. It is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Hyderabad. To reach Charminar, you can use various modes of transport, such as bus, metro, taxi, or car. You can also enjoy many things to do near Charminar, such as shopping at Laad Bazaar, visiting Mecca Masjid, seeing Chowmahalla Palace, enjoying Nimrah Cafe and Bakery, and experiencing Salar Jung Museum. We hope you have a wonderful time exploring Charminar!
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