India: A rich culture and history to explore beyond medical visits

The southern states in India such as Bangalore, Trivandrum and Kochi is the “India” which most Maldivians see. As nearest to the Maldives, the southern states are the areas which Maldivians mostly frequent, for general purposes, especially medical care.

However, a majority of a nation remains unexplored, especially if one is seeking to explore the rich culture and history of India and experience the diverse range of cuisine.

Sun editor Naail had previously visited India’s Cochin where he got to experience the coldness of the hilly area in Munnar. Last week he traveled to northern Indian states, Hyderabad, the capital New Delhi and Agra. For him, the two trips were a lesson; that despite being one country, every city had a vastly different tourist experience to offer.

ނާއިލް އިންޑިއާގައި: ސަލާރު ޖަންގު މިއުޒިއަމަކީ، އިންޑިއާގެ ހައިދަރާބާދުގައި ހުންނަ، ޤައުމުގެ އެންމެ ބޮޑެތި މިއުޒިއަމްތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން އެއް މިއުޒިއަމް. އަދި މިއީ ދުނިޔޭގައި އެންމެ މީހަކު އެއްކުރި އެންމެ ބޮޑު އާސާރީ ތަކެތީގެ ކަލެކްޝަން ބެހެއްޓިފައިވާ ތަން . 1951 ވަނަ އަހަރު ހުޅުވި… pic.twitter.com/7Zn9oJ2RCX

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) November 21, 2024

Hyderabad: No better biriyani and an abundantly rich history

After transiting in Mumbai, Naail’s first stop in India was Hyderabad – the capital and the largest city of Telangana state. The city which is being developed as a cyber city offers a wide range of opportunities for youth entrepreneurs in terms of technology and innovation.

Moreover, the city boasts a number of historical monuments from Golconda Fort to Charminar.

Golconda Fort and Charminar

The Golconda Fort has its origins in the 11th century, originally known as ‘Mankal’. It was a small mud fort built on a hilltop by the Kakatiya Empire, the city's rulers at the time. Between the 14th and 17th centuries, the Bahmani Sultans and later the Qutub Shahi dynasty fortified the structure. In 1518, Sultan Quli of the Qutb Shahi Empire transformed the fort into a fortified citadel, and the city became the capital of the Golconda Sultanate, emerging as a key trading center.

After the fall of the Qutub Shahis in 1687, the fort was deliberately left in ruins by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Nevertheless, Golconda still features cannons, four drawbridges, eight gateways, and impressive halls, magazines, and stables.

Charminar, meaning "four minarets," was built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty.

There are various theories as to the purpose for which it was built, however, it is widely accepted that the Charminar was built to commemorate the eradication of plague which was widespread in the city at that time. It is believed that the Sultan built Charminar to fulfill a solemn vow made to Almighty Allah as he prayed to end his people’s suffering. The four pillars are also said to be dedicated to the first four caliphs of Islam.

A visit to these two historical monuments highlights the great effort put into preserving them, showcasing the importance placed on conserving history.

Surrounding Charminar is the Charminar Bazaar, renowned for its jewelry.

ނާއިލް އިންޑިއާގައި: މިއީ އިންޑިއާގެ ހައިދަރްއާބާދުގައި ހުންނަ ޗާރުމިނާރު. މިއީ ގުތުބް ޝާހީ ދަރިފަސްކޮޅަށް ނިސްބަތްވާ ފަސްވަނަ ރަސްކަލުންކަމަށްވާ މުޙައްމަދު ގުލީ ގުތުބް އަލީ ޝާހް މީލާދީން 1591 ވަނަ އަހަރު ބިނާކުރެއްވި ބިނާއެއް. މިއީ ހައިދަރުއާބާދު އެ ވެރިކަމުގެ އާ ވެރިރަށުގެ… pic.twitter.com/aPL6KqJ5Oz

— sun.mv (@sunbrk) November 18, 2024

Ramoji Film City 

Ramoji Film City, one of the more contemporary attractions in Hyderabad, is a vast integrated film studio complex and holds the title of the world's largest film studio. Covering an area of 1,666 acres, it is home to a diverse range of sets, including forests, gardens, hotels, a railway station, an airport, apartment buildings, mansions, and workshops. The facility boasts 47 sound stages and permanent sets, along with a central kitchen that caters to the various film crews. It has the capacity to accommodate 15 shootings at a time. One of the most famous movies shot at the City as Bahubali.

Beyond its film production services, Ramoji Film City serves as a themed vacation destination and a popular tourist spot, featuring both natural and man-made attractions, including an amusement park.

It is visited by approximately 1.5 million tourists per year.

Hyderabadi Biriyani: A must not miss

Hyderabadi Biryani is a culinary gem that must absolutely not be missed when visiting Hyderabad. It is the most famous type of Biriyani – not just in India, but across the world.

As such, Naail set aside some time to go to ‘Bawarchi Biryani’ – dubbed by residents of Hyderabad as the restaurant offering the most authentic Hyderabadi Biriyani in town.

Customers are bustling, yet the service is fast. The aroma from the piping hot biryani served just mere ten or so minutes of placing the order is enough to fill one’s heart.

The fragrant basmati rice paired with perfectly cooked chicken accompanied by a variety of spices comes together in perfect harmony for an unforgettable culinary experience.

Another signature Indian dish Naail tried at the restaurant was tandoori chicken. The tandoori masala marinated chicken pieces were incredibly tender, juicy and downright flavorful all the way to the bones.

As the plate runs out, waiters continue to bring out more food. Despite losing count of how much food was eaten, it was at a low cost.

Agra and New Delhi: The stunning beauty of Taj Mahal and Humayun’s Tomb

Taj Mahal is not a new name for anyone and is perhaps the most well-known tourist attraction in India.

After the visit to Hyderabad, Naail traveled on a two-hour flight to New Delhi. Another four-hour bus ride later, he reached Agra where Taj Mahal is located.

Taj Mahal is a symbol of love; a white marble mausoleum built by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

The construction of the mausoleum began in 1632 and was completed in 1648. The surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later.

Taj Mahal stands out from the rest of its kind due to its symmetrical design, intricate marble inlay work, and grand dome make it visually striking. The white marble, which changes color based on the time of day and the light, adds to its ethereal beauty.

Moreover, it features detailed carvings, inlaid gemstones, and exquisite calligraphy, all crafted by skilled artisans. The use of marble, semi-precious stones, and unique designs in its construction highlights the advanced architectural techniques of the time.

Humayun's Tomb in New Delhi, India, is another symbol of love and served as an inspiration for the Taj Mahal. The tomb was commissioned by Bega Begum, the first wife of Mughal emperor, Mirza Nasir al-Din Muhammad (commonly known as Humayun), in 1556, 14 years after his death. It was completed in 1572 – and marked the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent.

It features a large central dome and is surrounded by a formal garden designed in the traditional Mughal charbagh (four-part) style. The main structure is built using red sandstone, while the dome and some of the decorative elements use white marble, symbolizing both grandeur and elegance.

Overall, Naail’s most recent visit to India was a journey through history. As one of the largest countries in the world, India is a is a diverse and captivating tourist destination, offering a rich cultural heritage, iconic historical landmarks and a wide range of landscapes from the Himalayan peaks to the tropical beaches of Goa. The country's cuisine, wildlife, and adventure activities further enrich the travel experience. Known for its warm hospitality, affordable travel options, and bustling markets, India provides something for every traveler, making it an unforgettable destination for culture, nature, and exploration.

Maldivians are especially welcomed in India due to the close and friendly relations between the two countries, making it an even more appealing destination for travelers from the Maldives.