12 hours in Hyderabad

0900 am: Taj Mahal Hotel, Abids.  

Go there for scrumptious breakfast consists of typical south India style. Dosa, Idly, Wada, Puri-Bhaji, Rasam, Sambar, Coffee and Tea. Though someone not used to Andhra fare may find it spicy.

1030 am: Go strolling Birla Temple on Naubat pahad.

You will actually see half of the city from the temple premises. Built on a 280 feet (85 m) high hillock called the Naubath Pahad on a 13 acres plot the temple took 10 years to complete and was consecrated in 1976 by Swami Ranganathananda of Ramakrishna Mission. Another unique thing to notice about this temple is, it does not have traditional bells, as Swamiji wished that the temple atmosphere should be conducive for meditation. This temple is one of the most important religious places in India. Spend some idyllic moments.

1130 am: Birla Planetarium and Science Museum:

Located next to the temple premises, the planetarium (inaugurated in 1985 by N T Ramarao)  is one of the most modern and one of its kind planetariums in India. With technological help from Japan, the museum is located in a doom-shaped building, which stands to educate those who visit. In fact, it is a place that both entertains and educates.

The sky shows are conducted every day along with periodically varying themes about the various elements of the universe, such as comets, meteors, the cosmos, the eclipses. With its startling sound quality and the amount of information disseminated, Birla Planetarium and Science Museum is one of the places that a visitor should not miss in Hyderabad.

The museum is closed on the last Thursday of every month.

0100 pm: Lunch at Indu's.
Time for some feast. Get down from Ravindra Bharti side, cross the road and head straight to Indu’s for their unlimited south/north Indian thali. For the non-veggies they have many options as well. Go with sometime on hand as this place is crammed full with people during lunch.

0230 pm: Chowmahalla Tour:

Lunch done, leave for Chowmohalla palace in the old part of the city. The palace belongs to the Nizams of Hyderabad state. It was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and was the official residence of the Nizam.

Built in neo-classical style, the courtyard of the main complex consists of four more palaces Afzal Mahal, Mahtab Mahal, Tahniyat Mahal and Aftab Mahal worth visiting.

0500 pm: Lad bazaar:

After a through two hour excursion of the palace you may be in mood for some speedy shopping for typical Hyderabadi bangles. Look no further and walk down to Laad Bazaar; the old market popular for bangles is located on one of the four main roads that branch out from the historic Charminar.

Laad meaning lacquer is used to make bangles, on which artificial diamonds are studded. In this 1-kilometre (0.62 mi)-long shopping strip, most of the shops sell bangles, semi precious stones, pearls, jewellery, 

including products such as silverware, Nirmal, Kalamkari paintings, bidriware, lacquer bangles studded with stones, saris and handwoven materials of silk, cotton,  brocade, velvet and gold embroidered fabrics, traditional Khara Dupattas, lacquer bangles and perfumes.

0600 pm: Charminar:

The English name is a transliteration and combination of the Urdu words Chār and Minar, translating to "Four Towers"; the eponymous towers are ornate minarets attached and supported by four grand arches.

The Charminar, built in 1591 CE, this landmark has become a global icon of Hyderabad, listed among the most recognized structures of India.The Charminar is on the east bank of Musi River. To the northeast lies the Laad Bazaar and in the west end lies the granite-made richly ornamented Mecca Masjid. The eastern side is occupied by another beautiful Nizamia Unani Hopsital building.

0830 pm Paradise:

End the day by relishing the status symbol of Hyderabad, dum biryani, (remember its called pulav if cooked with chicken. So go for the real meat!) at the best place in the city. Do not forget to try Khubani ka meetha or Double ka meetha or Kheer another specialty of Hyderabad. You will love it.