01/01/2025
The day began as casually as possible, but in the afternoon, I got a call from Asifa(my colleague in college) She and the other hostellers were heading to Charminar and asked me to join them. Without much thought, I set off to meet them at Shadab(one of the oldest hotel of cultural heritage near madina circle) ,but by the time I reached, they had already moved ahead. Finally, I caught up with them near Madina Circle(one of the oldest market of hyderabad ,which is the centre of whole city-heart and soul of cultural hyderabad ad), and from there, we started walking towards Charminar.
As expected on New Year’s Day, the streets were packed with people. The moment I arrived, I noticed a change—Charminar’s entry ticket had increased from ₹5 to ₹25. The additional ₹20 is now charged by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is responsible for preserving the cultural heritage of Telangana, particularly Hyderabad.
We visited Charminar first, but when it came to Mecca Masjid, only Asifa and I went inside. We sat there for a while, walked around, talked a bit, and then stepped out. Navigating through the dense crowd took extra energy, but it was all part of the experience.
Shopping Adventures
On our way back from the masjid, we started shopping. Asifa was with me, while Raga, Srujana, and Likitha were on the other side of Nimrah Hotel. We bought all sorts of small souvenirs—keychains, bangles for Asifa's mother and grandmother, hair clips, and a watch for ₹150. I also got a bear bag for ₹200, a set of handkerchiefs for ₹100, and, the highlight of the evening, a tiara for ₹50. Raga did a fantastic job capturing the moments on video. Meanwhile, Raga, Srujana, and Likitha bought a few pairs of Paris slippers and other small items. I couldn’t stop teasing them with my new tiara and watch, much to their irritation!
By the way, I must mention—Charminar looked absolutely stunning in the evening with all its lights switched on. The entire atmosphere felt magical.
A Taste of Hyderabad at Nimrah
Asifa and I stopped at Nimrah Hotel for tea and biscuits, which cost us ₹70 in total—₹50 for tea and ₹20 for biscuits. The place was incredibly crowded, and we were struggling to place our order when a security guard noticed us. He asked what we wanted, confirmed the price, and told us to wait at the side. First, he brought us tea, and a little later, he handed us the biscuits, advising us to step outside and enjoy them peacefully. His kindness added a special touch to the experience.
The tea was amazing, and Asifa loved it too. But what stood out to me the most were the biscuits. Normally, when we eat biscuits while drinking tea, their sweetness is overpowered by the tea’s sugar. However, these biscuits were different. They either had no sugar or just a minimal amount, making them a perfect pair with the tea. Sipping authentic Irani chai and eating Osmania biscuits while looking at Charminar in its full glory—that’s an experience to remember.
The Auto Ride Back
After our evening at Charminar, we found an auto to take us to MGBS Metro Station. Surprisingly, all five of us squeezed into a small auto, making for a hilarious and memorable ride. Even during the journey, we kept cracking jokes and laughing.
At one point, when I called Raga to check where she was, she jokingly replied, “Dabbulu anni ayipoyayayy,” which translates to “All my money is gone from shopping!” That’s the eternal truth—girls and shopping, an unstoppable combination!
Wrapping Up
Once I got home, I freshened up, had dinner, and scrolled through some random reels. Writing this now, I feel like I’ve relived the entire day. I just want to take a moment to thank God for such beautiful memories and an unforgettable start to the year.
Signing off,@ak
Yorumlar