Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Telangana Tourism and 11 must do things Tourism Spots of telangana Tourist Telangana Telangana Tourism places




Telangana has officially been made a separate state on 2nd June 2014. So while everyone is busy trying not to forget that India now has 29 states, we went ahead and prepared a list of the best tourist attractions in Telangana has to offer.  And mind our words when we say that Telangana might be new but its history and culture have endless opportunities for an avid traveler. So start planning your trip to Telangana right away and make sure that this list finds it’s place in your itinerary for sure.

1. Charminar, Hyderabad

The majestic Charminar, Hyderabad (Picture Credits- Abhinay Omkar)
The majestic Charminar, Hyderabad (
Charminar is beyond doubt, the most popular landmark in Telangana. Located at the heart of the City of Nizams, Charminar has many stories depicting the intent behind its construction. Situated on the east bank of the Musi River, the minar is also surrounded by Laad Bazar and Makah Masjid on the west side. It is one of the most popular tourist spot at not only all times of the year but also throughout the day. Ramadan prayers at Charminar and markets see the approaching roads getting crowded to the extent of ceasing the movement completely.

2. Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad

Chowmahalla Palace Courtyard, Hyderabad (Picture Credits- Eustaquio Santimano)
Chowmahalla Palace Courtyard, Hyderabad (Picture Credits- Eustaquio Santimano)
In the times of the Nizams, Chowmahalla Mahal was said to be the center of Hyderabad and the grand architecture rightly justifies it. The palace comprises of 2 courtyards, a Darbar Hall, fountains and gardens. The place is best suited to host cultural  and corporate dinners and large scale events amidst the backdrop of a combination of architectural styles. The vibrant colors of the Mahal are truly a beauty to the eyes.

3. Escape into the long ancient corridors of the Golkonda Fort

Golkonda Fort (Picture Credits- ZiggE)
Corridors of Golkonda Fort (Picture Credits- ZiggE)
Situated at a distance of only 11 kms from Hyderabad, Goloconda fort is easily accessible for all the tourists. Golokonda actually consists of 4 forts with a common outer boundary. The fort is of prime importance in the history of Telangana with regards to Aurangzeb’s succesion over the Deccan region. The fort was previously ruled by the Qutub Shahi dynasty. The long corridors in the forts make for an ideal spot for a small picnic with children from Hyderabad.

4. Bhadrachalam

Road between the forests, Bhadrachalam (Picture credits- ChanduBandi)
Road between the forests, Bhadrachalam (Picture Credits- ChanduBandi)
The legends say that it was in the forests near Bhadrachalam that Ram, Sita and Lakshman had come to spend the years of their exile and this is the place from where Sita was abducted by Ravana. One can find the ancient Rama-Sita temple here which finds its mentions in the ancient scriptures. For tourists, long roads with dense tree branches hanging overhead make for a pleasant road trip from Hyderabad over a long weekend or as a part of a trip in Telangana.

5. Pakhal Lake

Lake near Pakhal Forest enroute Bhadrachalam (Picture credits- Alosh Bennet)
Pakhal Lake enroute Bhadrachalam (Picture Credits- Alosh Bennet)
If one has to look for the most beautiful man-made lake, Pakhal lake will surely top the charts. To add to the beauty, the lake is surrounded by the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary that is popular among tourists for tiger, leopard and bear spotting. A large number of other animals including panthers and cobras can also be seen. The lake is also popular among tourists as a place to chill and camp at times.

6. Bhongir Fort:

Bhongir Fort, Nalgonda (Picture credits-Subhash BGK)
Bhongir Fort, Nalgonda (Picture Credits- Subhash BGK)
Telangana is famous for its rocky terrain and the local people have justified it even more with some really awesome forts. Bhongir Fort or the Fort at the Hilltop is one such example. One may visit this place for a beautiful view of the Deccan plains. The vast stretches of farms, forests and wastelands present a picturesque setting. Due to its strategically placed location, the fort played a great role in shaping the history of the Deccan region.
View from Bhongir Fort, Nalgonda (Picture credits-Joby Joseph)
View from Bhongir Fort, Nalgonda (Picture credits-Joby Joseph)

7. Papi Kondalu Hills

Papi Kondalu Hills, Khammam (Picture Credits- Praneeth Medukonduru)
Papi Kondalu Hills, Khammam (Picture Credits- Praneeth Medukonduru)
Popularly known as the Papi hills, the region is technically a gorge in the Godavari River. The tall mountains with flat tops are carved by the Godavari river in what was earlier the East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. The area is famous for river cruises in Godavari and is one of the most popular area in Telangana among tour operators. Overnight stays along the banks of the river are also among the top things to do here.

8. Nagarjuna Sagar

Waterfalls near Nalgonda (Picture credits- Suneel Madhekar)
Waterfalls near Nagarjuna Sagar (Picture credits- Suneel Madhekar)
Nagarjuna Sagar dam is one of the most visited site in Telangana by young and old alike. However, its not just the large water reservoir or the dam outlet that is worth a visit. Stroll inland into nearby areas to the small rivers and tributaries leading to the dam and you’ll find many such wonderful waterfalls which are still intact in their natural beauty. To be honest though, Telangana is full of waterfalls and all you need to do is trace any water source to the wild origins to witness the real beauty.

9. Warangal Fort:

Warangal Fort (Picture Credits- Subhash BGK)
The ancient pillars at Warangal Fort (Picture Credits- Subhash BGK)
The Warangal fort may not be that popular today for its importance in the history, the place is still a hotspot to witness the ancient Indian architecture intact in the ruins. The pillars and their inscriptions draw thousands of visitors every year to this place. Though the origin of the fort is not confidently known, the fort has been put under the care of ASI to preserve the remains. It is considered as one of the 7 wonders of India by many.

10. Himayat Sagar Lake and the Hussain Sagar Lake:

Himayat Sagar Lake near Hyderabad (Picture Credits- Hasnain Ali)
Himayat Sagar Lake near Hyderabad (Picture Credits- Hasnain Ali)
Himayat Sagar and Hussain Sagar Lake are both man-made lakes which are often clubbed in all trips to Hyderabad. The Himayat Sagar Lake offers the visitors peace and tranquility at a short distance from the busy city of Hyderabad. It is best visited around sunset when the waters and the rays of the sun dipping at the horizon bring out a beautiful hue. Hussain Sagar Lake on the other hand with a gigantic statue of Lord Buddha (The Awakened One) at the center is situated in the main city itself. Night time view of the lake is a must-have experience for anyone visiting the city.
Buddha in the Hussain Sagar Lake
Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad (Photo Credits:Alosh Benett)

11. Hyderabadi Cuisine:

Haleem, Hyderabad (Picture credits- Nadir Hashmi)
Haleem, Hyderabad (Picture credits- Nadir Hashmi)
It would not be appropriate for us to put into words the delicacies that Telangana has to offer. The spicy aroma of the Biryani is enough to make anyone hungry at all times. The offerings – both veg and non-veg Biryani- are said to be the best here. Any trip to Telangana or Hyderabad is incomplete without at least one proper meal from the kitchens of the Nizams. And no matter how much you try, stopping at one is simply not possible. Apart from Hyderabadi cuisine, Karachi bakery situated in Hyderabad offers one of the most delicious cookies and biscuits that one cannot miss while on a trip to Telangana.
Hyderabadi Biryani (Picture credits- Wikimedia.org)

ALU METHI FOR CHAPATHI

ALU METHI FOR CHAPATHI


Ingredients:

1 bunch methi leaves
1 big size alu
3 green chillies
1 tbspoon oil
2 cloves of garlic
curry leaves
a pinch of popu
salt to taste

Process:

Finely chop the methi leaves.
cut potatoes into small cubes.
chop the garlic cloves.
Slit the green chillies.
Heat a fry pan and put the oil in. Add popu, curry leaves, green chillies and the garlic pieces. fry for 1 min and then add the chopped methi.
mean while semi-cook the alu pieces in the microwave (in a bowl put alu pieces and put water to just cover the pieces) for 3 minutess
keep stirring the methi leaves to evenly fry and cook it until the bitterness is gone.
Now add the alu and some salt cover it and cook until alu are done.
serve hot with chaapthi.

Chinta chiguru mamsam, mutton with tender tamarind leaves

Description: Chinta chiguru mamsam, a classic dish from the telangana cuisine, meat cooked with tender tamarind leaves. It has a unique taste and freshnes in the dish.


Recipe of Chinta Chiguru Mamsam

Ingredient Name Quantity Unit
Coriander Powder 1 Teaspoons
MINT LEAVES 1 Bunch
CORIANDER LEAVES 1 Bunch
Cocount Grated 1 Teaspoons
Giner Garlic Paste 1 Teaspoons
Tumeric Powder PINCH
RED CHILLI POWDER 1 Teaspoons
Tender Tamarind Leaves ( Chinta Chiguru) 500 Grams
Mutton 500 Grams
ONION 1 Big
Oil 1 Tablespoons
Mustard Seeds 1 Tsp
Jeera 1 TSP
SALT To Taste

Directions

  1. Take pan add oil, murstard seeds, cumin seeds, whole garam masala and then add chopped onion mix well,then add turmuric, ginger garlice paste mix well and cook for few min then add coconut powder,then add lamb mix well add little water and salt, coriander powder, chilli powder mix well and cover with the lid and cook till the lamb is tender.
  2. you can also use cooker to cook lamb.once the lamb is cooked then add the tender tamarind leaves mix well and cook for 5min till the lamb is dry.
  3. once it is dry switch off the flame.  

Recipe of Sarva Pindi spicy rice Flour pancake

Description: Sarva pindi is a savory pancake made of rice flour, channa dal (lentil) and spices to make it a delicious and healthy dish. What does sarva pindi actually mean? This word is divided into two Sarva which means a deep pot or pan and Appa means a cake sort of preparation. Hence the word to word translation of Sarva pindi is the pan cake.Sarva Pindi pancake is one of the ethnic dishes from the Telangana cuisine. Telangana cuisine was once the so called underrated rustic, spicy, pungent cuisine and is now getting the recognition it truly deserves.

Recipe of Sarva Pindi spicy rice Flour pancake

Ingredient Name Quantity Unit
Curry Leaves 1 Bunch
Sesame Seeds 1 Tablespoons
Ginger Garlic Paste 1 Teaspoons
Red Chilli Powder 1 Teaspoons
Onion 1 Numbers
Channa Dal 1/2 Cup
Oil

Rice Flour 250 Grams
Salt as needed
Green Chillies 3 Numbers
Water as needed

Directions

  1. Soak channa dal in water for 30min.Now take a bowl add soaked channa dal remove water, gingergarlic paste,onion,salt,red chilli powder, sesame seeds,curry leaves,green chillies chopped,Rice flour mix well then add enough water  to make a soft dough.
  2. Take a pan add little oil, take a hand full for dough and make a ball spread all over the pan equally.Make a small holes all over add oil on top of it and cover it with a lid and cook in slow flame till it is golden brown colour.Can cook both the side if needed.