There are some places in the world where you can experience a different feeling every time you visit them! And these places make a city come alive. I am so happy they still exist and the mall culture has not made them disappear.
Here's my take on Charminar, Laad Bazaar and the streets around it. This was my second visit. The icing on the cake was that I got to have my friend babysit my son, so I was A-L-O-N-E!! :) Some places are meant to be seen and felt alone!
I took a bus to Abids and the an auto from Abids to Charminar. Those 4 -5 kms itself were the beginning of a new discovery. One could see the old Hyderabad with the traditional shop fronts, old bakeries and crowded streets. When I got dropped off at Charminar, the sounds and smells were fabulous! So intoxicating that I felt like I was transported to another era! Seriously, our lives are so different from what I saw there. And then I see the Charminar!
The lane that leads to it is full of jewellery stores on your left and garment stores on your right. There is a riot of colour everywhere and especially the stores have heavy shararas and lehengas in bright pinks, greens, yellows or golds and silvers and blues!
As you walk past you will find street vendors selling everything from Hyderabadi samosas to fresh coconut pieces to something sweet and orangy!
I also found a vendor selling knives and scrapers!
It was time I got my first view of the entire Charminar!
I went there with a purpose. I love crocheting and was told that Charminar is the only place in Hyderabad where I will find wool. After asking a few shops and getting a negative response, I almost gave up on finding wool. Neverthless I was enjoying the beauty of this place that was so full of life and chaos and splendour!
I was admiring all the shops from footwear
to traditional Islamic stores selling bridal wear to
ofcourse the bangle stores!
You do get different kinds of bangles but the most famous are those made from lac, a resinous secretion of some insects, which is collected and then turned into beautiful, gorgeous bangles like these!
They are fragile though, so you have to be really careful.
Just when I thought I will give up on wool, I did find one shop and was so excited. So I picked enough for a whole year of crocheting I guess ;)
By now, I was tired and wanted to drink the famous Irani Chai. On enquiring, I was told that Nimrah Cafe is the best place around here. So there I was!
The chai is sweet, milky and truly delicious! I tried theire Osmania biscuits along with the chai and they simply melt in your mouth! And I must say a combination made in heaven.
It was time to say good bye and I did get a wonderful parting shot!
Just as I crossed the bridge, I saw this wonderful palace like structure and when I asked the auto driver what that was, he told me that was the Osmania General Hospital! So much for heritage! Pretty cool right?!
Here's my take on Charminar, Laad Bazaar and the streets around it. This was my second visit. The icing on the cake was that I got to have my friend babysit my son, so I was A-L-O-N-E!! :) Some places are meant to be seen and felt alone!
I took a bus to Abids and the an auto from Abids to Charminar. Those 4 -5 kms itself were the beginning of a new discovery. One could see the old Hyderabad with the traditional shop fronts, old bakeries and crowded streets. When I got dropped off at Charminar, the sounds and smells were fabulous! So intoxicating that I felt like I was transported to another era! Seriously, our lives are so different from what I saw there. And then I see the Charminar!
The lane that leads to it is full of jewellery stores on your left and garment stores on your right. There is a riot of colour everywhere and especially the stores have heavy shararas and lehengas in bright pinks, greens, yellows or golds and silvers and blues!
As you walk past you will find street vendors selling everything from Hyderabadi samosas to fresh coconut pieces to something sweet and orangy!
I also found a vendor selling knives and scrapers!
It was time I got my first view of the entire Charminar!
I went there with a purpose. I love crocheting and was told that Charminar is the only place in Hyderabad where I will find wool. After asking a few shops and getting a negative response, I almost gave up on finding wool. Neverthless I was enjoying the beauty of this place that was so full of life and chaos and splendour!
I was admiring all the shops from footwear
to traditional Islamic stores selling bridal wear to
ofcourse the bangle stores!
You do get different kinds of bangles but the most famous are those made from lac, a resinous secretion of some insects, which is collected and then turned into beautiful, gorgeous bangles like these!
They are fragile though, so you have to be really careful.
Just when I thought I will give up on wool, I did find one shop and was so excited. So I picked enough for a whole year of crocheting I guess ;)
By now, I was tired and wanted to drink the famous Irani Chai. On enquiring, I was told that Nimrah Cafe is the best place around here. So there I was!
The chai is sweet, milky and truly delicious! I tried theire Osmania biscuits along with the chai and they simply melt in your mouth! And I must say a combination made in heaven.
It was time to say good bye and I did get a wonderful parting shot!
Just as I crossed the bridge, I saw this wonderful palace like structure and when I asked the auto driver what that was, he told me that was the Osmania General Hospital! So much for heritage! Pretty cool right?!
3 comments:
A charming place indeed. Loved the way you've loved the spirit and colors of the place :)
Beautiful write up rathi...you will not believe i made a story in 500px on my visit to charminar. Last night..through pics though..:-) very few of them..do have a look when u have time..
Http://500px.com/manogna_reddy/stories/70713
Thanks Su!
Hey Manu, the link doesn't seem to be working..I would love to check out your photo story :)
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