Entering Laad Bazaar
It was a warm January over there in Hyderabad this year. We were there mostly to try to catch up with family, go shopping, and relax and enjoy the escape from the terrible “polar vortex that hounded the US”. The Prophet Muhammad’s (SAWS) birthday is not something that is generally celebrated with a lot of fanfare. In many countries it is a day off and mostly people will spend it with their family. If someone wants to mark it more, generally you can fast during the date as well.
However it seems that in Hyderabad they have recently taken a bigger approach to the celebration of the day. Someone told me that it was because Muslim’s don’t have that many “big celebration” holidays so apparently about 5 years ago it has grown larger and larger. I wanted to share some photos.
*Note I was on the back of my cousin’s motorcycle while trying to shoot most of these photos, so I apologize for some of the angles of the photos. I realize I probably wouldn’t do something like that back home, but when in India…
Mecca Masjid – Hyderabad
A beautiful view of Mecca Masjid that night, lit up with lots of color. This is the first time I’ve been past the Masjid since the bombing in 2007 (which happened a few months after I was in Hyderabad that year). They have since increased security around the area. Mecca Masjid is the largest Mosque in South India.
Charminar looked so lovely lit up
They lit up the Charminar (four towers) as well. Probably the most famous moment in Hyderabad the Charminar was built in 1591 by Muhammad Qutb Shahi to commemorate the eradication of the plague.
Braver than I was standing in Traffic
It looks almost alien
How do you still drive indoors?
Apparently, yes you can
Can’t say I’m sure why the goats are here
I’m not really sure the purpose of the livestock here or why they were on display. However everyone was pushing and shoving to get close to it and get their photos with them. You could go outside and find a random alley goat to take a photo. I guess because it looks more important here people lined up instead.
Probably the only place you could get up to speed
My cousin decided to drive fast down this alley since it was the first time we weren’t stuck behind a hordes of people. Even if its not a great photo, I love the motion blur going on here that was not really intentional.
It would have been faster to just walk
I’m not sure why they started a fire here..
There were kids speaking or waving flags on nearly every corner
Umar Craig says
What a pretty article with amazing shots. I am very much pleased to see all the amazing photos and love to celebrate the birthday of The Prophet Muhammad’s (SAWS) in each region of this world.
My best wishes are with everyone.
Anwar says
Thanks Umar. It was really a lovely site to see and something to witness in Hyderabad.
Amanda @ Adventures All Around says
What beautiful shots (you really would love Sydney’s Vivid 🙂 … I have yet to travel to India but would love to. And I smiled when i read how you were taking photos on the back of a bike… something I’ve also done in Saigon and would never do in Australia because I’d be too scared. Somehow when everyone else is doing it…
AY says
It doesn’t seem to bad when it’s not at home right? Weird isn’t that? It was like the same in India, you felt it was sort of “normal”.
Corinne says
I love these photos. They have a frenetic feel to them, which is how I usually think of all of India anyway. I love the movement, the lights. Very cool!
AY says
India is always very frantic -). I think that is one of the charms of it for sure.
ashley says
Great photos! I’m loving the alien lights! 🙂
AY says
Thanks. I’m getting better at shooting with one hand while holding on with dear life with the other. How are things going with you out there in San Diego Ashley?