Hyderabad: Four centuries of history had a new glow Tuesday evening as Charminar’s cobbled paths lit up with the footsteps of Miss World 2025 contestants. Beauty queens from 109 countries turned the iconic Old City monument into a scene straight out of a dream—marched in with red carpet treatment, music, and flashes popping all around.
It kicked off around 5 PM, with the echo of Arabic Marfa drums bouncing off the arches. Contestants were ushered in with floral welcomes and a full-fledged photo shoot right in front of the Charminar. Cameras rolled as they took in the intricacies of the structure, its historical roots explained in detail by heritage guides and officials.
After a good 30 minutes exploring the monument, they set off on foot—from Charminar through Choodi Bazaar to Chowmahalla Palace. A full 40-minute heritage walk, with Lad Bazaar’s famous bangles and pearl strings catching every eye.
Craftsmanship was the star of the evening. Some contestants stopped to see how glass bangles are made. Shopkeepers, delighted, refused to charge them for souvenirs. Instead, they offered rose petals and warm smiles, asking the guests to carry back tales of Hyderabad’s culture to their own countries.
The streets were cleared. Police kept crowds at bay to ensure a smooth walk. Among those spotted in front of Charminar were contestants from Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Japan, Vietnam, Australia, China, Mongolia—each adding colour to the heritage backdrop.
The photo shoot had rules. Contestants were grouped by region—America-Caribbean, Africa, Europe, Asia-Oceania—and styled accordingly. Dress code: long evening frocks with shoulders and elbows covered, flat shoes only.
The walk wasn’t just a photo-op. It was an immersion. And for a few moments, Hyderabad’s centuries-old heart pulsed to a global beat.
