Charminar plaster falls after rain on 23 September
Published on 09/27/2026 at 16:42 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Charminar in Hyderabad saw a small section of outer plaster fall after heavy rain on 23 September 2026, renewing attention on the conservation of the historic monument. The affected surface faces Laad Bazaar, and the Archaeological Survey of India said work on the western side would begin in about 20 days.
Plaster damage brings conservation work into view
The loose material fell from the first floor on the western side after rain in Hyderabad. Security staff cleared the fallen pieces from the area, and reports said the incident caused no injuries.
Officials described the damage as limited to the outer plaster or stucco layer rather than the structure itself. The conservation timetable supplied by ASI sources places the start of complete work on the western side about 20 days after the incident. Other reports said a tender was already in process for repairs to the affected exterior.
The development matters to visitors because the damaged side faces one of the busiest parts of the Old City. Laad Bazaar lies beside the monument, so the repair activity concerns the setting encountered on the approach as well as the surface of the building itself.
Charminar's four minarets frame the repair site
Built in 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah, Charminar is a four-sided archway with four minarets. The monument's square plan measures about 20 metres on each side, while each minaret rises 24 metres above its base, according to India's official tourism information.
Its construction used granite and lime mortar, and the design includes pointed arches, stucco decoration, balconies and balustrades. The first floor was used as a madarasa during the Qutb Shahi period, while the western side of the second floor contains a mosque. The upper portions are not open to the public, making the conservation report especially relevant to the exterior and the lower visitor route.
The 23 September incident therefore concerns a defined part of a 1591 monument rather than a general weather report. The reported surface damage was on the western side, while the building's four cardinal-facing arches and surrounding market setting remain the principal features visitors encounter.
Visiting Charminar: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The plaster incident took place on 23 September 2026 on the western side of Charminar, beside the Laad Bazaar-facing exterior.
- Security staff removed the fallen material, and officials said the damage was confined to the surface layer without affecting structural stability.
- The monument stands in Hyderabad's Old City, with Laad Bazaar directly beside it and the historic market streets forming part of the approach.
- The structure has four minarets, and each minaret contains 149 circular steps. The upper portions are not open to the public.
- India's national currency is the Indian rupee, while Hyderabad uses Telugu, Urdu and English in public life.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Charminar
What happened at Charminar on 23 September 2026?
A small section of loose outer plaster fell from the western side after heavy rain. Security staff removed the fallen material, and officials reported no structural damage.
What conservation work is planned at Charminar?
ASI sources said complete conservation work on the western side would begin in about 20 days after 23 September 2026.
Where is Charminar and how do you get there?
Charminar stands in Hyderabad's Old City beside Laad Bazaar, among the historic market streets surrounding the monument.
