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Charminar in Hyderabad
Hyderabad is most famous for its charming minarets - Charminar. The
city is often identified with the majestic Charminar,which stands at
the center of the old city in its entire splendor amidst the
colorful shops of Ladbazaar with its glittering traditional bangles.
Often called "The Arc de Triomphe of the East",Charminar was built
in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah and is a beautiful structure with
four intricately carved minarets. Enormous in its size,this imposing
monument exudes a charm that is more than 400 years old!
The Charminar is a square edifice with four grand arches each facing
a cardinal point that opened once upon a time into four royal
streets. At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped minaret,more
than 55 meters high with a double balcony. A bulbous dome crowns
each minaret with dainty petal like designs at the base.A beautiful
mosque is located at the western end of the open roof and the
remaining part of the roof served as a court during the Qutb Shahi
times.
About 149 winding steps guide the visitor to the upper floor. Once
atop,the solitude and serenity of the beautiful interior is
refreshing. The space in the upper floor between the minarets was
meant for Friday prayers. There are forty-five prayer spaces. The
summit of Charminar offers an excellent panoramic view of the city.
Even as one turns towards the Golconda fort,the mind goes back into
time and recapitulates the past glory of Hyderabad during the Qutb
Shahi times. Skyscrapers and the bustling modern city life today
encompass the Charminar,which was once surrounded by royal piazzas.
But inspite of all this,nothing can wane the elegance of Charminar!
Built with granite and lime-mortar,the Charminar is a fine example
of the Cazia style of architecture. The intertwined arches and domes
are typical of the Islamic architecture. The graceful floral motif
atop the Charminar is enchanting!
The Charminar depicts the Indo-Saracenic tradition - a symbiosis of
the Hindu and the Muslim traditions,which has woven the magic of a
rich Deccani culture. The nightly illumination of Charminar is
spectacular.
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