Introduction
The Charminar is a popular monument in Hyderabad, India. Literally it means four minarets. It is located near the Makkah Masjid Mosque. The Archaeological Survey of India listed it as the architectural treasure. Lit up between 7 PM and 9 PM. Archaeological Survey of India, the Fort is in the tentative list of World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Hyderabad. The walk up the Fort takes about half-hour to one hour. Many tourists visit this place every year.
Charminar
Best time to visit
October to March. Temperatures between 15C (59F) and 29C (85F)
Charminar
How to get to Charminar
There are buses from Afzalgunj bus station to Charminar and Chowmahalla Palace.
The best way to see the tourist attractions Salar Jung Museum, Charminar and Chowmahalla Palace is at first have a 10-minute walk from MGBS metro station to Salar Jung Museum. The distance between Salar Jung Museum and Charminar is about 1.5 km. It will take about 25-minute walk. An auto charges about Rs.100 (about $1.2). There are bus stops nearby, if you prefer bus. It is about 8-minute walk from Charminar to Chowmahalla Palace.
Charminar
Open timings and tickets
9.30 AM – 5.30 PM.
Rs.25 for Indians, SAARC and BIMSTEC countries residents
Rs.300 ($4) for foreign nationals.
These may change over time
Requirements
Cancellation and transfer of e-ticket is not allowed
Photo identity card is required
Dangerous articles and edibles are not allowed
Time required to see Charminar
About 2 hours
Fountain
Things to do at Charminar
Shop at Laad Bazaar (Choodi Bazaar)
Visit Mecca Masjid
See Char Kaman
Go to Chowmahalla Palace
View from top of Charminar
Architecture of Charminar
Charminar is a square shaped structure measuring about 20 meters (about 66 feet) on each side. It has a minaret on each corner. Each minaret is about 48.7 meters (about 160 feet) high. Each minaret has a dome at the top. It represents the Indo-Islamic architecture. There is a mosque at the top. There are spiral steps to go up. It is better to avoid going up the spiral steps if you have any ailments or not comfortable. There are also prayer spaces. In the middle there is a fountain. Each side has an arch facing the street. Charminar is made of mortar, marble, granite and limestone.
Ceiling
History
The Charminar was built by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591. He was the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. It took about 2 years to complete the construction. Mir Mahbub Ali Khan, the 6th Nizam installed the clocks.
The popular belief was that Charminar was built to acknowledge the elimination of plague. Other beliefs are that it was built in honor of Bhagmati, in memory of the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, to commemorate the start of the second Islamic millennium, to mark Hyderabad’s foundation.
Tourist attractions in and around Hyderabad
Golconda Fort
Qutubshahi tombs
Birla Mandir, Science Museum and Planetarium
Lumbini Park
Ramoji Film City
Statue of Equality
Shilparamam
Salarjung museum
Chowmahalla Palace
Taj Falaknuma Palace
Purani Haveli
Nizam’s Museum
Nehru Zoological Park
Yadagiri gutta
Chilkur Balaji temple