Necklace Road

Modelled after the Queen's Necklace in Mumbai, the Necklace Road links Hyderabad to Secunderabad, and provides young lovers with an avenue (ha!) to express themselves. It's an apt name, isn't it? On account of the necking couples.

But there's more to this stretch of tar than whispered nothings and nervous handholding. There are the families (this is Hyderabad, after all). Large families with screaming kids, small families with screaming kids, they're all here. The Hussain Sagar stink is negligible, there's plenty of grass (to sit or play frisbee on, we mean) and there are innumerable vendors with puchkas, bhel and cool drinks. What else do you need?

Well, some form of entertainment with loudspeakers would be nice. For that we have the People's Plaza, an outcrop of land from the road that plays host to several cultural events that are usually free to the public. Masses of people can be accomodated here easily, and if it's a cool evening, masses will turn up. Many music concerts have been held here, with maestros like Zakir Hussain playing to hundreds. Buddha Jayanti celebrations are also held here every year, and there is the occasional handicrafts or tourism fair.

The Great Mall Of Hyderabad was held here too, but since we are still reeling from that disaster, we cannot talk about it without consulting our therapist. The biggest attraction on Necklace Road now, characteristic of Hyderabad, is Eat Street, a selection of restaurants offering the very best in munch-by-the-lake cuisine. There is no better place to be on an overcast day or a clear night.

Final words of caution: Beware the ever-vigilant Lake Police. Yes, they are the ones in the bright blue pagoda. Don't laugh at the pagoda. They're very sensitive.