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Hyderabad - 30 years later

Fading memories of a railway station situated amidst large spherical boulders (near Begumpet just outside of Hyderabad) to visit an aunt that resided in town that was 700 km SE of Mumbai and spend some holiday time chilling with their family which included Dobermans is what I recollect from three decades past.

Now with my own family in tow we wanted to visit the historic landmarks of a once famous Mughal stronghold and also the modern hub of what is now Destination Central for the global IT industry.

So after digging into the Marriott by Lower Tank Bund Road (named for what had been the only source of drinking water for centuries - the tank or Hussein Sagar visible from the window) we ventured out a few days to take in the majesty and the chaos of modern Hyderabad.

We were their during the holy period of Ramzan and therefore it added another dimension (mostly of additional crowding in the evening when the Muslim devout break their fast) to the visit.

Here are some vistas and highlights..

Entrance to Cyberabad (cyber city Hyderabad)

Dude that's a Dell - but we are not in Texas anymore

Calm in the gardens of Shilparamam

2,000 year old fortress once housed the famous Kohinoor diamond - Golconda



View from atop the hill - Golconda Fort

Charminar area

Falaknuma Palace - now a Taj Hotel property - sunset from the terrace

Moonrise looking eastward from the North lawns - Falaknuma Palace
 

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