Monday, March 26, 2007

The Four Minaret's






I was at one place the other day physically,which means I was in the era of Nizams for like 2 whole hours.That is when I had the out of body experience.Not that I was dead or mutated.I for once was in the world of photographic coma (2 words invented by me).Now,what is that and how did it happen seems like a dream.Was at the Charminar of Hyderabad.It is simply one of the most hypnotizing structures of the old world.It still retains the old world charm and you stand and wonder "how did they do this" in it's presence.Every time I visit this place,I am taken back into crazy thoughts. Like, what were the roads like?who lived in these houses?in one word I imagine myself living that era.so let me share the story behind the minar here and will upload a few pics too

It was built by Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the eradication of plague.It is said that the emperor prayed for the end of plague and took a vow to build a masjid on that very place.He ordered the construction of the masjid which became popular as Charminar because of its four characteristic minarets. The top floor of the four-storey ed structure has a masjid which has 45 covered prayer spaces and some open space to accommodate more people on Fridays.

Charminar means 'Four Spires' (Char (Hindi) = four, Minar (Arabic manara) = (spire/tower).Once upon a time each of these arches led to four royal roads.Each of the four arches has a clock which were put up in 1889. The monument overlooks another beautiful and grand mosque called Makkah Masjid(more on this the next time).

149 winding steps guide the visitor to the upper floor, the highest point one can reach, and providing a panoramic view of the city of nawabs.This graceful monument is very beautiful on the inside, and is particularly known for its carvings and moldings. The painstaking details result in a graceful, lace-like look.If you visit Hyderabad do not miss these 4 minarets and bazaar of the bangles called the chudi bazaar(will write bout this later)

Welcome to my world of Hyderabad....

pic courtesy Google

13 comments:

  1. Never visited girl. But its in mind when I visit India. Thanks for sharing.

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  2. @priya - u got to,let me know bout your visit,maybe i can share more details on this one...

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  3. wow must be a beautiful town!Keshi.

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  4. i stayed in hyd for 3 months and never made it to Charminar! sucha shame! i know! and recently i was there during christmas and my frnds decided to do a midnite sight seeing stunt... i am told we did goto old city n charminar but i was soo drunk i dont recall anythng! :(

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  5. @keshi--yup kesh it is a beautiful city,filled with the new and old world charm..must add it to your must see beofer anything happens to me list!!!@nadim---hmm now I hope u get to see it in my post and old city is beautiful at night expsly during ramzan....

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  6. Want to visit Hyderabad Soon.Your post was very descriptive and interesting.you shud take up a course in Tourism.

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  7. @gran--thnx and do visit I shall be your host...and yes i do want to take up travel photography..this is my attempt...

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  8. cool pics!! hey i am gonna be there for a long weekend soon! hope to hit these places as well.

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  9. @deepsat--u have to and when u do try and visit famous ice cream in old city too..

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  10. Hmm... I have to visit Hyderabad one of these days! I've heard so much about it; can't afford to miss it anymore!

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  11. Been to Hyd twice. Once when I was much younger and stayed for a long time JUST in order to go places. NO agenda what so ever! :) And I'm glad we (my sis and I) did that!Next time I visit, I'm gonna give u a buzz. Looks like you know it better than anyone else I knw does!

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  12. beautiful.. i vaguely remember this when i visited years ago

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  13. @ supernova -- u got to visit the plc u gotta@miss iyer---give me a buzz and we shall show u the nawaabi ishtyle of hyd.@aditi -- yeah it is surely beautiful and enchanting.will post about the chudi bazaar tomorrow...

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