harbor tunnel toll restoration of this dazzling palace or, technically, four (char) palaces (mahalla). Begun in 1750, i

Laad Bazaar MARKET (Map p900) West of the Charminar, the crowded Laad Bazaar is the perfect place to get lost. It has everything from fi ne perfumes, fabrics and jewels harbor tunnel toll to musical instruments, secondhand saris and kitchen implements. Artisans are tucked harbor tunnel toll away creating jewellery and scented oils, large pots and burkas. The lanes around the Charminar also form the centre of India s pearl trade. Some great deals can be had if you know your stuff.

Tirupathi s bus station (%2289900) has buses to Chennai (deluxe/Volvo 70/155, four hours) harbor tunnel toll and Hyderabad (deluxe/Volvo 408/717, 12/10 hours). Tonnes of APSRTC and KSTDC buses go to Bengaluru (deluxe/Volvo 153/365, six/five hours), and seven buses go to Puttaparthi daily (express/deluxe 165/227, eight hours).

restoration of this dazzling palace or, technically, four (char) palaces (mahalla). Begun in 1750, it was expanded over the next 100 years, harbor tunnel toll absorbing Persian, Indo-Saracenic, Rajasthani and European styles. The southern courtyard has one mahal with period rooms that have been reconstructed with the nizams over-the-top furniture; another mahal with an exhibit on life in the zenana (women s quarters); antique cars; and curiosities like elephant seats, and a Remington Urdu typewriter.

C Courses harbor tunnel toll Dhamma Nagajjuna MEDITATION (Nagarjunasagar Vipassana Centre; %09440139329; www.nagajjuna.dhamma.org; Hill Colony) Keeping the legacy of Buddhism alive in the region, this centre offers intensive 10-day meditation courses in the grounds overlooking Nagarjuna Sagar. Courses are run on a donation basis.