Having one of the oldest civilizations in the world, it is but natural that India boasts of some of the best attractions when it comes to ancient architectures like palaces and temples, and some of the most outstanding and picturesque ones can be found in the city of Hyderabad.
Hyderabad is located in Andhra Pradesh, and is the capital of the said southern state. Its rich history is composed of various elements which combined to make the city into what it is now – the same rich history that brought about the construction of the many beautiful buildings which in turn earned the city its title as the “Pearl City” of Andhar Pradesh.
Charminar
This white giant with its four towering minarets is one of the most famous landmarks not only in Hyderabad but in the whole of India as well. More than 500 years old, the construction of this beautiful mosque was ordered by the famous Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, who intended it to be a place of worship for the many followers and devotees in the region. The name stands for the four tall towers (almost 50 meters in height) that rise in the building’s four corners, which alongside the ornately designed arches and windows and the beautiful interiors make it a favourite among many tourists both locally and internationally.
Birla Mandir Temple
The Birla Mandir Temple is no doubt one of the most spellbinding architectures of Hyderabad. The structure stands majestically on a 280 feet high hill with overlooking views and is constructed from more or less 2000 tons of astonishingly white marble. The temple’s architecture is a combination of Rajathani and Utkala styles which greatly complements each other, giving the Birla Mandir the best of both worlds. With a great location and equally beautiful temple, this is definitely a place for tourists and locals who are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Chowmahalla Palace
The Chowmahalla is simply one of the grandest structures in India, both inside and out. This majestic palace was built in the 1700s, and infuses in it various architectural styles from all corners of India. The shiny marble stones and the ornate arches and columns make it truly amazing, especially at night when the whole palace is illuminated by brightly coloured lights. The beautiful fountain and peaceful garden in front of the palace which adds more to the charm of the place make it a wonderful place for a stroll.
Chilukuru Balaji Temple
The Chilukuru Temple is a sharp contrast to the first three structures mentioned above. While the others boast of plain and clean colours, this temple is a mixture of bright reds and blues and more which gives this rather solemn place a lively feel. However, it is this vibrancy of colours that puts it in the list of some of the must see architectures of Hyderabad. Inside the temple is an beautifully designed prayer room, which is usually filled with devotees who are hoping to receive their god’s blessings.
Jagannath Temple
This temple, also called the temple of the “Lord of Universe” is of brown mud colour as sandstone is used in its construction. However, this is just a replica of the Jagannath Temple of Puri, although the latter is much bigger in size. It is one of the newer structures in Hyderabadbeing only decades old. What make this temple beautiful are the intricate carvings on the exterior, which are mostly men and women, some of which are in erotic positions. This is in order to protect the temple from the god of water, who is said not to destroy things which depict love.
What make India’s structures unique from others are the ornately designs and intricate patterns that are incorporated in their architectures. They add both beauty and grandeur to every building, making them truly a must see for travellers to India.
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Photo by archer10 on Flickr