Ornate entrances with traditional pillars common among the homes in Pacific Heights, San Francisco.

Ornate entrances with traditional pillars common among the homes in Pacific Heights, San Francisco.
This is the heart of Chowmahalla Palace, Hyderabad, India. It is held in high esteem by the people of Hyderabad, as it was the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. The grand pillared Durbar Hall has a pure marble platform on which the Takht-e-Nishan or the royal seat was laid. Here the Nizams held their durbar and other religious and symbolic ceremonies. The 19 spectacular chandeliers of Belgian crystal were recently reinstalled to recreate the lost splendor of this regal hall.