Golconda Fort

Location : Located 10 kms from Mehdipatnam in Hyderabad.

How to reach : Local transportation is available. Though you can reach it from Charminar, because of the chaotic traffic on that route, its better to take the Gandipet direction route. Its around 30 minutes drive from airport with regular traffic.

Food : The food outlets nearby are ok for snacks and bottled water and drinks but if you are looking for a meal, pack your own or drive back to the city or Charminar.

Best time to visit: It takes about 3 hours to climb to the peak and back down again. Try and avoid the peak afternoon time because the sun really beats down on the rocks. Winters area better bet for visiting. In the evenings when the sound and light show is organised, you will not be allowed into the rest of the monument only the sound & light show area.

Golconda Fort which lies on the western outskirts of Hyderabad city unravels 400 years of rich cultural heritage. Built by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah in 1525, the Golconda Fort epitomises the opulent Nawabi culture of those times.Golconda known as "Shepherd's Hill" or "Golla Konda", in Telugu, has an interesting story behind it. One fine day, on the rocky hill called Mangalavaram, a shepherd boy came across an idol.This was conveyed to the Kakatiya king, who was ruling at that time. The king got a mud fort constructed around the holy spot.Over a period of time this was expanded by the Qutub Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite. By the 17th century, Golconda was famous as a Diamond Market, it gave the world some of the best known diamonds, including the Kohinoor.This fort was ruled by many dynasties and was of great strategic importance. In 1518, when the Qutub Shahi dynasty was founded, Golconda was made its capital. The subsequent generations saw Golconda being fortified further with several additions and the formation of a beautiful city within.

Some thing that bewilders the visitor is the modern acoustic system which was so designed that a hand clap sounded at the entrance gate of the fort could be heard right up in the citadel ! People keep clapping today too but I couldnt hear a thing while I was at the top because the topography has obviously changed. so the sounds wont work the same way. This doesnt stop people from clapping when they enter.

The Golconda fort is known for its magnificent acoustics, the structural grandeur of the palacesand ingenious water supply system. One visit to the fort, and you will be transported to that eventful age of the Qutub Shahi dynasty that speaks volumes of their glorious achievements. One is perplexed to see the meticulous details of the architecture and the fading gardens, which once had sprawling lawns and playing fountains.

Golconda is all this and more. A new attraction at the fort is the sound and light show that brings the legend of Golconda to life. With a spectacular interplay of audio and visual effects, the saga of Golconda unfolds over centuries of splendor. The show livens up the glorious past and it is an experience worth watching.

Advance booking at Yatrinivas : 10a.m. to 12 noon
Current booking at Golconda Fort from 5 p.m. onwards
Ticket : Rs.20/- per head
Children below 5 years are not allowed.
Coach facility from Yatrinivas for Sound & Light show and back.

Fare for Adults : Rs.45/- (inclusive of Sound & Light show tickets).Kindly reserve your seats one day in advance.Coach leaves Yatrinivas at 5.00 P.M. and returns from Golconda Fort at 8.15 P.M.
Coach facility subject to 50% occupancy.

Sound & Light Show at Golkonda Fort
1st Show English (Daily) 7 pm - 8pm
Telugu (Mon, Wed, Fri) 8.15 pm-9.15 pm
Hindi (Tue, Thur, Sat, Sun) 8.15 pm-9.15 pm
Entry Rs.40/- for adults, Rs.30/- for children (5-12 years)

Spot Booking at venue: 5.30 pm onwards.
Bulk Booking:
1) Yatri Nivas Secunderabad
2) CRO Tankbund Hyderabad Tel.23451065/23453086 (10 am-12 pm)
3)Salarjung Museum Counter Hyderabad (10 am-4 pm)
Bookings at 23453036
For details call 27816375 / 27893100

Word of Warning : The Sound and Light Show isnt as impressive as its made out to be. Although the Big B lends his voice. Problem being, they have stretched out for 1 hour, what could be completed in 30minutes. If you have watched the Delhi Red Fort show, then this is nowhere close to that standard.