Hyderabad Tourism
Places of Interest in Hyderabad
Char Minar
A
magnificent edifice, it epitomises Hyderabad and marks its 400 years of history.
Built by ruler Quli Qutb Shah it stands 180ft. tall, the four minarets soar
to height of 48.7Mts. each above the ground. Within are 45 prayers spaces and
a mosque. It is being pedestrianised for better access as well as safety of
the monument. Must See!
Birla Mandir
This beautiful white marble temple of Lord Balaji is built on a hillock, the
kala pahad. This exquisite temple has great sculpture excellence and a profusely
carved ceiling. It is a beautiful sight at night when illuminated, standing
against the dark sky and looking down on Hussain Sagar Lake. Timing: 7 a.m.
to 12 noon & 3 p.m to 9 p.m.
Hussain Sagar Lake
This lake, around which the city is spread, was constructed in 1562 A.D. Today,
it is the bejeweled heart of the twin cities with the newly built Necklace road.
In the recent past it has evolved as one of the single largest gathering place
for recreation. The road across the bund is a busy thoroughfare connecting the
twin cities. Boating and Water Sports are a regular feature at the Hussain Sagar.
Jutting out of the middle is the 18 meter high, 350 tonne monolithic statue
of Lord Buddha on the rock of Gibraltar, in the middle of the lake. The bund
is lined with 33 statues of famous personalities of the states.
Salarjung Museum
This museum is a unique art collection of a single, great connoisseur of art,
Mir Yousuf Ali khan, better known to the world as Salarjung III, scion of an
illustrious and wealthy family and a short lived prime minister of Hyderabad.
The object d'art include Persian carpets, Mughal miniatures, Chinese procelain,
Japanese acquerware, famous Pearls Of Hyderabad sculptors including the veiled
Rebecca and Marguerite and Mephistopheles, a superb collection of Jade, Daggers
belonging to Queen Nur Jahen and the emperors Jehangir and Shahjahan, Aurangazeb's
sword, Silver,Bidri and Braocade,Rococo,Baroque and Pre-Raphaelite art,even
cuckoo clocks and walking sticks. Must See! (Closed on Fridays. Timings: 10a.m.
to 5p.m.)
Mecca Masjid
South-West
of Charminar lies Mecca Masjid, the most impressive mosque in South India. It
was started in 1614A.D. by the sixth Qutb shahi King Abdullah Qutb Shah and
completed in 1687 A.D. by Aurangzeb, when he annexed Golconda. This mosque is
said to have bricks from Mecca built into its central arch. Its lofty colonnades
and entrance arches are made of single slabs of granite brought from a stone
quarry, 11km north of Charminar. Legend says, 1400 bullocks were required to
pull these. Mecca Masjid is poetry in stone, with a hall measuring 67m and soaring
to a height of 54m. The roof is supported by 15 graceful arches. It can accommodate
10,000 worshippers at a time. The southern end of the mosque has the tombs of
all Nizams, from the time of Nizam ali Khan (who died in 1803 A.D.) and his
successors, exept that of Mir Osman ali Khan Nizam VII.
Nehru Zoological Park
Spread across an area of 300 lush green acres, this zoo is a must for all nature
lovers. The biggest zoo in India, it has over 1,500 different kinds of animals
and birds, most of whom are kept in conditions close to their natural habitat.
Other attractions are a lion safari park, a natural history museum, a prehistoric
animal park and a children's park. (The Zoo is closed on Monday's Timings: 9
a.m to 5 p.m).
Qutub Shahi Tombs
1
km away from the Banjara Darwaza of the Golconda Fort, lies this cluster of
graceful structures. This is the last resting place of the Qutb Shahi dynasty,
where seven out of the eight sultans are buried. The tombs are built in persian,
Pathan and Hindu architectural styles using grey granite, with stuco ornamentation.
It features an annual Ghazal festival and other cultural entreaties. (Timings:
9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Closed on Fridays)
Osman Sagar
Osman Sagar is a jewel lake, formed by the damming of the river Musi, in 1920,
to maintain a regular supply of drinking water for Hyderabad. Beautiful gardens
on either side of the bund, and a guest house make this a popular picnic spot.
More popularly, Osman Sagar is known as Gandipet.
Jama Masjid
Also near the Charminar, this is the oldest mosque in Hyderabad (1597 A.D.)
Khazana Museum
On the way to Golconda, this is yet another museum which houses a number of
stone sculptures.
Lumbini Park
A new amusement park near Hussain sagar. This has a musical fountain show at
6.30 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. open from Tuesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Government Archelogical Museum
Housed in Public gardens, this is a museum with interesting sections on Prehistoric
implements, Sculptures, Paintings, Inscriptions, illuminated Manuscripts, Old
China and Textiles. The special attractions is an ancient Egyptian Mummy.
Ocean Park
Ocean park is located at Gandipet in 20 acres of landscaped gardens. The park
provides number of world class amusement rides, water rides and equipped with
fastfood joints offering a variety of cuisine at affordable prices. A thrilling
family outing! Rs. 125/- is charged as entry fee.
Ramoji Film City
The
Ramoji Film City is a colossal creation. This is Hyderabad's answer to Universal
Studios- nearly 2000 acres, a complete world created for assisting the dream
merchants of cinema. Luxury hotels, Japanese gardens, parisian boulevards, lavish
palaces, make-believe airports/railway stations and a host of other fantastic
creations.
Sanghi Temple
In the nearby industrial town Sanghi Nagar,this temple named after its patron
family, Sanghi, is situated on top of a hill. This is a beautiful temple contructed
in the south Indian Style of temple archetecture and hosts all important Hindu
god idols. It is a favourite getaway point for the Hyderabadis as well as a
popular tourist spot.
Hi-Tech City
One of the modern monuments of trade and technology, it embodies the new found
attitude of Hyderabad and today finds a place of pride. Situated on the outskirts
of the city, it is the nucleus of Cyberabad, the IT destination in these parts
of the world.
Shoppers Stop
The ultimate shopping experience at India's largest shopper's Stop at Hyderabad.
Located very conveniently walking distance from the Hyderabad Airport, it offers
a buyer all that he is looking for.
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