HYDERABAD: His Instagram handle’s description ‘Traveller | Urdu Lover | 4x4 Connoisseur’ is a dead giveaway that he will love Hyderabad. Needless to say, Mohit Kharbanda, 33, avid traveller, photographer and storyteller with around 60,000 followers on Instagram @movingcompass, loves the city with all its flaws. What American entrepreneur Ivanka Trump recently saw in Hyderabad is just a tip of its beauty’s iceberg. We ask the globetrotter to tell us if our city really stands out on the world map and why?
Born and brought-up in Patiala, Punjab, and featured in Tripoto and Condé Nast Traveller, Mohit completed his graduation from Modi College and moved to UK for a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management. A self-trained photographer, he started amateur photography with his phone, which later on developed into a passion. An off-road enthusiast, he has travelled almost the entire India in his open jeep, solely. Apart from India, he has also explored other countries such as Switzerland, Austria, France, Czech Republic, Belgium, UK, Italy, Nepal to name a few.
He has started documenting his travelogues since 2009. “Social media is a good place to share experiences. However, there are some stories that are too close to my heart and I don’t put it out on social media.” This solo traveller has Raptor, his pickup jeep as his only travel companion. The only other fixture in his travel is his compass. “This map can never fail you,” he says. Mohit was in Hyderabad a few weeks ago and has travelled to the city over 25 times since his first time in 2005. Here are his thoughts about mana city.
You are a globetrotter. Can you tell us what you think is unique about Hyderabad? What is overrated in this city and what is grossly underrated?
Hyderabad is a beautiful city and more importantly, it is the ‘fusion’ that makes it different. On one hand, you find the town fascinating with majestic forts, palatial homes and everything that defines aristocracy and on the other hand, as you pass by the Hi-Tech City Road, you are spellbound by the modern structures. Not many cities in India have let modernism blend so perfectly with tradition. Contrast is one word that defines the unique quotient of this pearl city.
The city’s Necklace Road, the promenade on the banks of Hussain Sagar is perhaps the most underrated thing about the city. While Mumbai has made its Marine Drive the pride of India, Hyderabad is yet to deliver justice. With a little more life added, it can easily be a conversation starter. Travellers confine themselves to Charminar and Golconda, thus missing out on Chowmahalla Palace, its museum and the Qutub Shahi Tombs.
We Hyderabadis are super proud of our biryani. Do you think Hyderabadi food is all it is made out to be?
Not only Hyderabadis, the whole country is proud of Hyderabadi biryani. While most of the other biryanis are a little on the drier side, this one is left moist to perfection. The closest that comes to Hyderabadi Biryani is the Awadh biryani with lesser colours and spices. Another standout favourite from Hyderabad is the Nihari Gosht. A dish that was cooked overnight and served to workers before they commenced the day’s work.
The dish was as good as currency and what started as a commoners’ meal is now relished by the rich and famous. Overall, the city is very serious about its food, keeps it traditional and ensures that it is presented well to the travellers. At the street food level, there are great sandwiches available in the busy lanes of places. Ramgopalpet and Momos are fast catching up in town. This in contrast with the Mirchi Bhajji at Lamakaan at the posh Banjara Hills and numerous chaat corners. “Contrast” is the key to everything here.
Can you please recount any experience in our city which you think reflects the city?
After Kolkata, this is one city where the people are a bit more relaxed than their counterparts across the country. There is that rare emotion of “Ease” which reflects on most of the faces here. This reflects in almost everything at Hyderabad –- the cab drivers, the traffic and the waiting at restaurants. Everyone possesses and has almost mastered the art of being patient. As I just finished my lunch and was waiting for a cab/auto I was politely refused by quite a few drivers. All were headed for their lunch and I knew they had the priorities set just right.
Most eventful journey so far?
From Delhi to Leh in September 2011, where I was stranded on the road for three days, caught in a blizzard. The temperature was -11 degrees and I had no clue if I would survive it. I realised the beauty and fierceness of nature and the human side of the people. The locals gave me shelter, love and care.
Quick takes with the wanderer
Where can people follow you: My Instagram handle @movingcompass. A compass is one of the key tools for the travellers and my eternal wish is that my compass always keep moving, hence it’s moving compass
The best destination so far: The next one
Best food in India: Kashmiri Rogan Josh
Best stretch: Srinagar-Leh road and the Kargil-Drass sector
On my bucketlist: Mongolia, Nagaland, Andaman
Monument that is yet to get its due: Humayun Tombs, Delhi
Most recent destination: London, Milan, Amsterdam
Tips on budget travel: Travel solo. Eat roadside food.
Stay in hostels. Befriend the locals
Do you have a day job: Yes, brand manager in Gurgaon
Must-haves during travel: Headphones (music can change your perspective towards life), medicines, international charging sockets, laundry bags (to avoid plastic bags), photocopies and hard copies of tickets and visas (don’t rely on internet)
What every traveller must-do while on the go: Go incommunicado and cut off yourself from the world.
Cyber detox is a good medicine
Tip on international travel: For international travel, plan at least three months ahead. Thank God that I booked my tickets in advance from London to Leicester at 20 pounds. It spiked to 60 pounds the day I was travelling