Alphabetical Odyssey

Few friends decided to enjoy a break by organizing a picnic. The venue was Golconda Fort, an engineering marvel, (located in the region where Kohinoor diamond, Hope diamond and Nassak Diamond were mined), situated around 11 kms away from Hyderabad. Each Friend decided to get one item for the picnic.

Avirath and Atharv waited outside the gate by 8.25 a.m. the next day with crates of Apples and Apricots to eat during the journey.

A colourful double decker Bus arranged by Bhargavi’s father arrived to take them to the Fort Kids entered the Bus and the fun and frolic began.

Sudden clicks and flashes made the kids alert. Camera wielding Chitra was clicking 10 photos- a-minute bringing instant smiles on the faces of all. She was busy throughout the day, chronicling the day’s event with her favorite camera.

While the Apples and Apricots disappeared, Donuts appeared from Daler’s bag. Everyone grabbed and devoured them hungrily. Edward got Eatables – Cookies and chips out as the Bus ambled into the ramparts of the Golconda Fort.

Tickets were purchased and they entered the fort through the Fateh Darwaza Gate.]]

Farhat carried only a small purse for the picnic. As her friends wondered what she got for the picinic, she pulled out a paper with a naughty smile on her lips. It contained the Fables of Golconda fort.

One Fable described how the Sultan Abdulla Qutub Shah in Golconda could hear the singer Taramati, a courtesan, singing 2 kms away from the fort!

Another fable talked about the two dancing sisters Taramati and Premamati, who danced on ropes tied between their pavilion and the balcony of the sultan!

According to the third fable, clapping under a specific dome at Fateh Darwaza fort would resound at the top (more than 1 km away) at Bala Hissar pavilion alerting the Nizam and his army at the top during an enemy attack. The Nizam could leave the fort through one of the underground tunnels in case they enemies defeated his army.

After seeing the dwellings of the queens and princesses at the base of the fort, the children climbed up the fort munching on the Grapes brought by Gayathri and Herbal Boli made by Harish’s mother. Indira brought along small musical Instruments like the mouth organ and tambourine. The arduous climb was lightened by the kids playing the instruments and singing along the way.

At the next level, the kids saw armories, magazines, mosques, granaries, reservoirs and audience chambers. They admired the intricately built water systems with Persian wheels which would help raise water at different levels to feed various Mahals, roof gardens, fountains and stone aqueducts. The kids also saw various buildings inside the fort like Habshi Kamans (Abyssian arches), Ashlah Khana, Taramati mosque, camel stable, private chambers (kilwat), Mortuary bath, Nagina bagh, Ramasasa's kotha, Durbar hall, Ambar khana and Ramdas jail and the mosque built by Ibrahim Qutub Shah at the top.

After taking a breather and drinking cool mugs of orange and apple Juice served by Jayesh, they started climbing down. Kavya handed over packets of Kumera(a type of sweet potato) halwa made by her mother. Lalitha provided the Laughs while climbing down the steep Golconda as Mohan handed over Mango Murabbas.

Down came the kids laughing and joking and fully tired.

After finding a big group of trees enclosing a lawn to rest, the kids rolled on the grass talking noisily. About 1.30 p.m., lunch preparations started. Niranjan brought out the Naan and Oviya the crunchy Onion rings Pervez pulled out the Paper cups and old newspapers to ensure cleanliness around. Qureshi laid out the Quilts as Roopa and Rupesh served Rice and the vegetable dishes to everyone. Shreya doled out the Side dishes - Paneer kofta and Navratna kurma for the Naan while Tryambakeshwar served bread Toasts. Lunch was completed with the Upside down cake brought by Uma.

After a heavy lunch, the kids lay on the grass chatting noisily. After some time, Vijay took out a Volley ball to play and the kids who still had some energy left, joined him.

After purchasing Knick-knacks and mementos outside the Fort, the kids hopped onto the bus at 4.30 p.m. On the way back Xavier distributed X-buns, Yousuf gave everyone a cup of flavored Yoghurt while Zaheer doled out the last item on the list Zwieback rusks for everyone to enjoy.

After a happy but exhausting day, the kids returned home to tell their parents how much they enjoyed their day.