Monday, February 25, 2008

Famous Bangle Street in Hydrabad



Laad Bazaar is a renowned market of Hyderabad, budding next to the magnificent Charminar. A tour to Andhra Pradesh would be incomplete lest you visit this glittering market of Hyderabad. This market is a prominent treasure-house of lacquer bangles, pearls, semi-precious stones, brocade, velvet, saris, gold embroidered fabrics, sherwanis, ethnic khara (starched) dupattas and perfumes. The market was named after 'Laad', which is actually a material to make bangles.


Owing to the eminence of its bangles, Laad Bazaar is also known as Choodi (Bangle) Bazaar. The market extends to a kilometer-long street, where hundreds of stores sell appealing articles. Especially for women, Laad Bazaar is a must-visit place, with its colorful collection of bangles, jewelry, saris, wedding clothes and other stuff. Colorful bangles and glistening pearls are the most popular items of this market. If you are keen on shopping, don't forget to browse the market and check out the rates thing.


Before purchasing, make sure to bargain with the shopkeepers because they generally quote higher price. Perhaps it could appear odd in a momentary look, but most of the stores make their customers sit on the floor that is carpeted from wall to wall. As the stores have limited space, they make such seating arrangement to ensure maximum room. Being located in a small lane that twigs from Charminar, Laad Bazaar can be visited on foot or by taking rickshaws available there.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Clock Tower


-This is the Secunderabad Clock Tower. Hyderabad and Secunderabad are twin cities. This tower was inaugurated in 1897.

-This has been selected as logo for Secunderabad on the occation of 200th Year celebrations of Secunderabad

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Wedding - Customs, Traditions..


Indian People interpret marriage in terms of one's sacred step in one's spiritual growth. It is not contractual as in many ways religious. The wife is considered to be ardhangini, a part of her husband, literally meaning 'half of the body'. No religious ritual can be performed by a man without his wife.


Most of the people marry within their community only. Matches are tried to be made by word of mouth among known people. If it doesn't work only then, advertisement in the newspapers or marriage bureau.


Bridal Wear: The dress code for the bride is a saree - mostly a red one or any other similar bright color. She would wear gold and pearl jewellery. Pearl is exceptional as it is a Hyderabadi specialty. The bride would also wear flowers in hair.


Groom's Attire: The grooms of Andhra Pradesh wear the South Indian dhoti and a shirt in their style only. In case the groom is Brahmin, he would not wear the shirt during marriage
Muhurtam: Muhurtam is a ceremony where in an auspicious period of the day is chosen for the marriage.


Music & Dance: During the marriage especially, Carnatic music is being played in the entire period when the marriage is going on. And Nadaswaram is being specially played. Also, tunes of classical songs pertaining to the various rituals are played at the appropriate times.

Cuisine: A feast with a special pachadi made of several ingredients like neem leaves, jaggery, bananas, sugar cane and tamarind. So many special items on marriage ceremony.