Recognisable even if you’ve just arrived in Hyderabad, the Charminar monument is a stunning example of Islamic design, featuring many minarets and domes. The monument is frequented daily by locals who come to pray at the mosque, while tourists rarely visit Hyderabad without spending some time at Charminar and the colourful markets that surround it. Built at the end of the 16th century, the monument celebrates the end of a plague epidemic in the city.
Appreciate the architectural achievements of the time by examining the four grand arches that line the front of the building. Balconies and domes are cut out of the granite, limestone and marble that make up the structure. Crane your neck to see the four 29-metre (95-foot) high minarets that punctuate the air. These are the towers that give the monument its name, which translates to “four towers”.
Climb the 149 steps to reach the highest point of the four-storey building. At the far end of the open roof you’ll find extra seating to accommodate the crowds that come for prayer on Fridays.
Return to the ground floor to look at the pond housed behind the monument arches. On the outside the streets are bustling with the Laad Bazaar and Pather Gatti markets. Shop for handcrafted jewellery, traditional kites used in the Sankranti festival and colourful fabrics. Purchase some of the local cuisine, including haleem, a stew made from lentils and meat, from street vendors.
By night the markets increase in volume and are illuminated by reflected light from the floodlit monument. Take a photo of the Islamic detailing on the façade as it is washed in yellow, green and blue tones.
Charminar is located in the heart of Hyderabad on the south side of the Musi River. The monument has its own bus stop but can also be reached via the Yakutpura railway station, which is just 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) away.
