An experts guide to Hyderabad, India
An experts guide to Hyderabad, India. Interview with Jonty Rajagopalan who looks after Greaves Travels guests in Hyderabad
Q.You look after Greaves India clients in Hyderabad – why should people going on holiday to India visit Hyderabad?
Hyderabad is perhaps the last undiscovered Mughal gem of India. The Nizams of Hyderabad, who were known for their wealth and grandeur, have left behind a city which embodies a fascinating mix of North and South Indian culture that’s rich in architecture, crafts as well as performing arts. The city is also a haven for foodies, with it’s own distinct cuisine mostly known for its Biryani, kebabs and the spicy Andhra food. If you combine a stay at the recently opened Taj Falaknuma Palace Hotel, which is an experience of a lifetime in itself, with all that the city has to offer, it becomes evident that Hyderabad is a must-visit for any Indophile.
Q.How long would you recommend staying in the city to get a true feel for it?
I would say that a minimum of three nights. This ensures that guests are able to enjoy and get a true feel for the city at a comfortable pace.
Q.How have you seen Hyderabad evolve over the last 10 to 15 years?
Hyderabad has been put on the global map in the last decade or so thanks to the strides made by the pharmaceutical, bio-tech and information technology companies. These economic developments have also meant that the infrastructure has had to keep pace with the city, translating to better roads, a world-class airport and several hotels across different price ranges.
Q.What are the essential sites that someone visiting Hyderabad must see?
The Old City area is a really colourful and vibrant experience, and therefore perfect for a first time visitor. The magnificence of the Chowmahalla Palace along with the lively bazaars provide a great insight into Hyderabad’s glorious past. Also, don’t miss the Golkonda Fort with its mindboggling acoustics systems, it is truly an architectural wonder.
Q.What would you take visitors to see that was a little more unusual and off the beaten track?
The Paigah Tombs, the former British Residency and Raymond’s tomb are very interesting for those looking to stray of the beaten path, but we also like to visit the locals’ homes to share a meal with the family. This is always a great experience because it allows visitors to get a closer feel of the local customs and habits in an authentic setting.
Q.Hyderabad is a melting pot of different religions and cultures – they all seem to peacefully co-exist in a state of ‘ganga jamani’ – can you explain a little bit about this and what impact this has had on the city?
Hyderabad is actually the bridge city that joins North and South, culturally at least. Hyderabad has seen a charming amalgamation of cultures throughout its history, especially that of the North and the South of India. Both dynasties brought their own culture when they ruled this city, and importantly, they blended it with local influences. Nowadays, religious divides are almost non-existent among the locals – the sentiment of being a ‘Hyderabadi’ supersedes that of being from any religious group.
Q.There are some wonderful hotels in Hyderabad, where would you recommend visitors booking? Are there some lovely little boutique hotels springing up or is the market dominated by the national and international brands?
At this moment most of the well-known hotels belong to the large national and international groups. The Taj Group has four other hotels, apart from the magnificent Falaknuma Palace, to cater to their different customers. The Hyatt group has a few good hotels too, and Novotel and Westin hotels are very conveniently located for business travellers in the hi-tech city area. The Park hotel also launched their extremely contemporary flagship hotel in Hyderabad.
Q.Hyderabad cuisine is noted for its use of hot chillies – where would you eat to get a real flavour of the city? Are there some really local places you would recommend eating? Ones that are ‘safe’ but give to get a real feel for the city? What are the key local dishes that visitors ought to try?
The most famous Hyderabadi restaurants serving Biryani and kebabs like pathar ke gosht, shikampur would be Shadaab in the old city and Four Seasons in Tolichowki. Andhra food, The other cuisine of the city, is available in several places in Hyderabadi. I can tell you, Southern Spice in Banjara Hills and Spicy Venue in Jubilee Hills both live up to their names…! The Gongura Mutton (lamb cooked in a sour sorrel leaves gravy), palakura pappu (lentils cooked with spinach) and Chappala Pulusu (fish cooked in a spicy curry) are the must-haves here – and their wide array of spicy pickles and condiments go really well with plain steamed rice.
Q.Hyderabad processes many of the world’s pearls – where would you recommend going to purchase some? What other specialities should we be looking to buy and where would we go to find them?
Mangatrai Jewellers and Krishna Pearls are both very reliable, have several stores across the city, and cater to people with different tastes. The beauty of buying pearls in Hyderabad is that the jewellers are completely happy and able to accommodate your requests, whether it’s to change of length or the size of pearls, and it can be done then and there. The most exclusive pearls are those from Basra which are quite rare, while those from South Sea and Tahiti are very special because of their size and colour. Jewellers often combine pearls with diamonds and other precious stones, so you can also find very fashionable pieces of jewellery in the city.
Q.Have you got any real insider tips that you would like to share on how to get the most out of Hyderabad?
One of the main tips is to understand that because the locals are very laid back and easy-going, most shops only open at around 11am, so you should never try and visit the markets early! Although the city comes to life a little later than most, it also stays open till much later, so the best way to get the most out of the Hyderabad is to simply adopt the same attitude as the locals – take it east, don’t fret and don’t try to get anything done quickly! People in the city are very welcoming and more than happy to interact with visitors, so remember that a simple smile and a hello will go a long way if you need help with anything while in Hyderabad.
To book a holiday to India please contact Greaves Travel http://www.greavesindia.co.uk or call 0207 487 9111
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