The scenic beauty, mountains, mist, and long roads are not the only driving-forces for a traveler. In fact, no true traveler can be satisfied just with these things. The urge to know the livelihood, culture, language, food, and myths of an unknown land is what makes traveling all the more interesting. In a travel to find culture, it is always wise to take a public transportation service. Hence setting out on a quest with a camera in hand, and on public transport, in Secunderabad, heart, and soul set to one of the wonders, ‘Charminar’. It sets a feast of people and livelihood for their travelers who wonder at the onset of twilight in search of culture.

The scenic beauty, mountains, mist, long roads are not the only factors driving a traveler. In fact no true traveler can be satisfied with just these in heart. The urge to know the livelihood, culture, language, food and myths of an unknown land is what makes travelling all the more interesting. In a travel to find culture it is always wise to take a public transportation service. Hence setting out on a quest with a camera in hand on to a public transport, from a small lodge room in Secunderabad, heart and soul set to one of the wonders, ‘Charminar’. It sets a feast of people and livelihood for their travelers who wonder at the onset of twilight in search of culture.

People returning home from work, sellers trying to meet the profit of previous day, riksha drivers circling the crowd in search of their next passenger, tourists, girls and boys carrying chains, bangles, beads in hand for sale and among all the commotion very few passing travellers silently watching. Just like Eiffel tower is to Paris, Taj Mahal is to Agara, for Hyderabad this 48m high wonder called Charminar. Near to this ancestral wonder constructed in 1591, is one of the oldest mosque of India Makkah Masjid. Pearl city, though as to own the name and wear it in pride, Laad bazaar, filled with beads, pearls and jewellry collections surround the Charminar with people flooding in from all around.

Buses to Charminar are available from all corners of Hyderabad. 8A bus from Secunderabad, 87 bus from Hyderabad Central ply to Charminar. Paying 5 rupees to the archaeological survey of India one can climb to the top of Charminar. The climb to the top is through a narrow steep path, leading to the pinnacle. Evenings are crowded with people flowing into Laad bazaar. It is one of the ancient markets in Hyderabad. Leather materials are the only thing found less in number. Wedding collection, jewellery and other rare craft are found here, probably more than any other market in India can provide.

The enormous crowd on top of Charminar gives a moments time to take in the crowded streets, the sky with spreading saffron from the setting sun near the Makkah Masjid, all this at one glance pictured into heart through one’s third eye. After hours of walking through the streets, stepping in for a surbat ( Cool drink ) I met Jorg and Martina, foreigners from Dusseldorf, Germany. Retired from government service and are in world tour. Asian continent being their first destination, they have roamed 6 countries before coming to India.

The little time spend with this couple enlightened me with a courage. Jorg had difficulty in walking but he manages with the help of Martina. Seeing how Martina takes care of her husband I felt like changing the saying about Indian women’s culture to German women’s culture for a moment. With all respects to this couple in heart, I took their contact details hoping to keep in touch even after returning to Kerala.

Every journey is a quest to find hidden treasure boxes filled with endless treasure. Every traveler with his eyes, camera and heart open to new experiences finds himself amidst knowledge beyond thoughts. Travels that give opportunity to mingle with people of different culture set apart by a few kilometer distance, adapting with climate and nature of a different land and enjoying the different differences around us, the feeling that one gets from all these are more valuable than any wealth that one earns in a lifetime. As these travels give us more values and lessons.