If you want to visit a place of religious or historical significance, behold one of the most beautiful sunrises ever, Moula Ali hill in Hyderabad beckons you to experience a unique conflation of scenic and temporal beauty.
Moula-Ali Hill is a dome-shaped hill with a dargah on top. It is located almost 10 km from Secunderabad, in Moula-Ali suburb of Hyderabad.
History with a view
The dargah is one of great religious importance. It was built by Ibrahim Qutub Shah in the memory of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. A stone is believed to have been found on this hill with the imprint of the palm of Hazrat Ali. The dargah is one of the 11 heritage sites in Hyderabad and is recognised by the Hyderabad Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The dargah is usually open from around 5 am to 9 pm.
The experience
Frequented by pilgrims, there are some 400 steps that will help you up the dome-shaped hill, leading to the dargah. They seem endless but the 'climb' is worth the hype.
From the top of the dome-shaped hill, you get to see an extremely beautiful bird-eye view of urban Hyderabad. This view is best during sunrise and it is recommended that you reach the place around 5.30 am if you want to witness it. The view is also beautiful in the evening when the city is lit up. While both sunset and sunrise are equally beautiful, the popular recommendation is that you visit for sunrise. Fresh morning air combined with the cool breeze and rising sun is the breathtaking combination that this place is known for.
How to reach
To reach Moula-Ali Hill, you can either take a taxi or walk there as many of the visitors do. If you are staying nearby or travelling as part of a group, walking is a great option. There are many who walk there and return by taxi. Secunderabad railway station is about 9 km away and taxis and autos are easily available to Moula-Ali.
Things to remember
Try not to visit during summer or when it's really hot as climbing the stairs will be tedious. Make sure you wear footwear that's warm and also gives you enough traction. And if you're going in the morning don't forget to wrap yourself up in some warm clothes.
Also, try to wear clothes that are stretchable. The climb up is a major part of the journey and having clothes that allow movement is definitely a plus. If you are going for the sunrise or sunset, it is advisable to go as part of a group. Do remember that it is a place of religious significance. Try to be as quiet as you can and be respectful.