Saturday, November 29, 2014

chowmahalla palace - 29/11/2014


Even though I was born and bought up in Hyderabad, I never visited this palace before. I am very happy that I came to this with Vedhu and Vaishu.



Chowmahalla means - Chow means four, and mahal means palace. The Chowmahalla palace is a complex of four palaces with a central pond.  

Nizam Salabat Jung started the construction of the palace in 1750. But it was completed only between 1857 and 1869 under Nizam Afzar-ud-Daula Bahadur (as per guide)
The Palaces are set on beautifully groomed gardens, with water features, ducks and fountains.






The Drawing Room is the most impressive room, located in the centre building. It's hanging chandeliers, and the balcony level all the way around three sides of the room, is so beautiful.

Walking into this building there are two rooms which start the journey of history of the region, and the Nizams. Once you find the staircase, you can wander upstairs to the level overlooking the Drawing Room, and explore the personal items of the families that lived here.

On first floor you can find rooms of clothes and furniture, jewels and weaponry, kitchen bits and pieces, as well as dinner sets of all colours, shapes and patterns. You can also see the main hall (Raj Darbar) from the first floor with full view.
Chowmahalla palace got restored in 2005 by Princess Esra, the first wife of the present Nizam, anxious to preserve what remained of the Nizams' legacy for her children to some semblance of its former glory.

 

During the day, the Chowmahalla Palace is a museum that gives us a glimpse into the splendour of a bygone era. At night, it is gorgeously lit up as it turns into a venue for cultural programmes, concerts, and sometimes private functions and conferences.

 

We walked inside both the palaces and found all the weapons used by Nizams and their arm guards. Once you walk out of the palace and on way out, there is a photo studio where you can get a photo dressed as King/Queen.





 

It will take atleast 3-4 hours to explore the whole palace.