hyderabad sightseeings, hyderabad tourist attractions, tourist places in hyderabad, hyderabad attractions

Charminar
Charminar in Hyderabad is a vivid example of Cazia style of architecture comprising of granite and lime-mortar. Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah built this Islamic architectural splendor in the year 1591. Charminar is the most famous landmark of the city and most tours to Hyderabad include the Charminar as an absolute essential. It is a must see if you are visiting Hyderabad. The wonderful monument with its four arches is so proportionately planned that when the fort is opened one could catch a glimpse of the bustling Hyderabad city as these Charminar arches were facing the most active royal ancestral streets. At each corner stands a tall minaret, which measures more than 55 meters long and also have a double balcony. The monument has the signature style of Islamic architecture.
Golconda Fort	Top^
Golconda fort is one of the most magnificent fortress complex in India which lies on the western outskirts around 11km from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. This 400-year-old majestic and imposing Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya dynasty in the 13th century. It is also popularly known as "Shepherd`s Hill" or "Golla Konda", in Telugu. The fortress is built on a granite hill 120 metres high, surrounded by massive crenellated ramparts. It is also considered as one of India`s most outstanding fortresses and it epitomizes the `Nawabi` culture and military architecture due to the bulk of the ruins of this fort that date from the time of the Qutub Shahi kings, who had ruled this area in the 16th and 17th century. The defenses of this fort were so strong that no known attack of the time could penetrate its strong fortifications. Though this fort in a state of shambles it yet continues to mystify everyone with its architecture and historical significance.
Birla Mandir	Top^
Birla Mandir is a structural wonder that dominates the skyline of Hyderabad. It is a fine specimen of man-made marvel, dedicated to the spiritual powers of Lord Venkateshwara. Perched on the Kala Pahad (Black Hill), the temple offers a panoramic view of the twin cities of Andhra Pradesh. Birla Temple was built by Birla Group of Industries, one of the largest business houses of India. Hussain Lake, being in the forefront, adds to the stunning beauty of the temple. Established in 1976, the marvelous edifice took about ten years to complete. The sanctum sanctorum is accessible by a flight of steps. Along the oblique path, you can see many marble figures of Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu Mythology. In the temple, one can trace the ceilings adorned with intricate art work and beautifully carved structures on the walls. Most of the scenes were illustrated from the great epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Falaknuma Palace	Top^
Falaknuma Palace situated on a hill of 2000 feet high was built by Nawab Vikarul-Umra Bahadur, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad and a Paigah noble in1883-84. Located 4kms from the Charminar, the palace was purchased by Nizam VI in 1897 to be used as a royal guest house and has till now played host to luminaries like King George and Queen Mary, King Edward-VIII etc. Designed by an Italian architect, the palace took nine years to complete. Built entirely of Italian marble, the palace's facade is reminiscent of European architecture. Known for its lavishly decorated interiors, the palace is laid out in the shape of a scorpion with two stings spread out as wings on the north. The middle part is occupied by the main building while the kitchen and harem quarters stretch out to the south. The interiors of the main building have an Italian marble staircase supporting marble figures and lined with portraits of British Governor Generals. The palace's glass stained windows throw a spectrum of colors into the rooms. The palace also houses an exciting collection of rare treasures - paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts and books collected by the Nizam from countries round the globe.
Nehru Zoological Park	Top^
Nehru Zoological Park is one of the largest zoo in India, located near Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad was established in vide G.O.Ms. No.247,Dated 26 October 1959.It was declared open to the public on 6 Oct 1963.The park extends over 380 acres, and is a premier recreation spot in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.The Nehru Zoological Park is run by the Forest department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. and named after the first prime minister of the country, Jawaharlal Nehru. It is spread over an area of 380 acres and 600 acres Alam Tank lake and has a wide selection of animals - nearly 100 species of birds, animals and reptiles are housed here. The zoo runs different safari trips every day, such as Lion Safari, Tiger Safari, Bear Safari, and Butterfly Safari. Other attractions include elephant rides, a natural history museum, and a children's train, indigenous animals and birds, like the Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Tiger, Panther, Gaur, Orangutan, Crocodile, Python etc., not to speak of number of Deer, Antelopes and Birds. Several animals bred in the Zoo were rehabilitated in various Deer Parks and Sanctuaries to restock the depleted natural population. Zoological park opens from 0900 to 1700 hrs. and remains closed on all Mondays.
Public Garden	Top^
Hyderabad Public Gardens is one of the biggest and oldest parks of the State Capital with several attractions for tourists and locals alike. It is home to the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeological Museum and the Health Museum. The Lalitha Kala Thoranam is a beautiful open-air theatre that plays host to several film festivals, fashion shows and beauty pageants. If you are a culture buff, you would do well to schedule your visit to take in one of the cultural shows. The Department of Horticulture conducts several workshops for garden lovers on various aspects of gardening. The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly is a stunningly beautiful white structure that stands majestically amidst the sprawling green lawns. As you walk down the tree lined avenues, you will stumble upon an ancient mosque, a quiet testimony to a bygone era.
Macca Masjid	Top^
Mecca Masjid is one of the largest mosques in the world and one of the oldest in India. The foundation of the mosque was laid in 1614 during Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah's reign. When the foundation stone was being laid, Muhammad Qutub Shah invited the religious elders and announced that one who had never missed his prayers would lay the foundation stone. No one came forward; therefore Sultan Muhammad laid the stone for he had never missed a prayer since the age of 12. It took almost 80 years for completion and is said to accommodate 10,000 worshippers. Enormous arches and pillars made from single slabs of black granite were quarried and then dragged to the location by 1,400 young bulls. Several bricks above the central gate are from Mecca, thus the name of the mosque!
Botanical Gardens	Top^
Hyderabad Botanical Gardens at Kothaguda near Hitec City, which is the first to come up in Andhra Pradesh.Botanical Gardens is established in Kothaguda Reserve Forest near Hitec City, jointly by the State Forest and Tourism departments, both as eco-tourism project and for growing plants for scientific, educational and aesthetic purposes. The Garden would comprise of all major varieties of Plant Kingdom and some rare species too. It was inaugarated on August 05, 2001. Objectives of the garden include bringing diverse collection of plants from different habitats and establishing a gene bank, creating awareness among people about values of conserving plants, developing garden as a centre for recreation and developing facilities for research, particularly in medicinal plants.
Husain Sagar Lake	Top^
The Hussain Sagar was constructed on a tributary of the Musi river by Hussain Shah Wahi during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1562. It is a sprawling artificial lake that holds water perenially. Every Sunday cultural programmes are conducted by the Department of culture in the evenings and admission is free for the public. One of the largest man made lakes is situated at Hyderabad. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. A famous monolith of Lord Buddha is installed at the center of the lake. Hussain Sagar Lake is popularly known as the Tank Bund, a major spot of tourist attractions.
Osmania University	Top^
Osmania University, one of the oldest "modern" universities in India. It is the seventh oldest institution of higher learning in all of India, and the first in Hyderabad back when it was a princely state. It has ten faculties, 52 departments, and with more than 500 constituent campuses and affiliated colleges that offer almost all courses at all levels, ranging from diploma to post-doctoral degrees. It is also considered to have one of the best management institutions under the university system. All in all, it is one of the largest university systems in the Indian subcontinent. As its founder, Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad said at the opening of its Arts College: "God be praised that this glorious edifice is now ready. This structure has no parallel in the world or in India for beauty, grandeur and nobility." Established in 1918, the university is not just famous for its excellence in the field of higher learning. Its architecture is also unparalleled in educational institutions around the country. It is the reason why the university also attracts so many tourists, as much as students.
Salarjung Museum	Top^
Salar Jung Museum is situated on the southern bank of the river Musi. It is not far from the other important monuments of the old city. The historic Charminar, Jama Masjid, High Court, State Central Library and the Osmania General Hospital are all within a radius of one mile from the Salar Jung Museum. Hyderabad's Salarjung Museum, the third largest museum in India is one of the largest one-man-collections in the world. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Jawaharlal Nehru had declared open the entire collection of SalarJung to the public on December 16, 1951.The collection was shifted to its present building in 1968. This museum houses magnificent exhibits of European and Indian paintings and statuary.
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali Park	Top^
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali park is located in Vanasthalipuram, on the outskirts of Hyderabad city at a distance of about 15-km on the Hyderabad- Vijayawada road. Once the Nizam's (former Hyderabadi rulers) hunting grounds, it is now home to the beautiful black bucks with their spiral horns along with several species of birds. The park named after the renowned Jain saint 'Lord Mahavira' was established in 1975, in commemoration of his 2500th birth anniversary. The deer park maintained by the Forest Department, has an undulating terrain, of 189 hectares dominated by acacia trees and grasslands. The park looks picturesque in the monsoon with the golden and white flowers of these trees on the lush green carpet of grass. Besides Acacias, neem, Bauhinias, Buteas ( Flame of the forest) and a variety of thorny scrub species are found in this dry scrub forest.
Yadagirigutta Temple Nalgonda	Top^
Yadagirigutta Temple Nalgonda the famous Shrine of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami stands on the Yadagirigutta hill, in Nalgonda district, about 64-km from Hyderabad. The temple is situated at the top of the hill, which is about 300ft in height. At the foot of the hill, there is a gateway with Gopuram, which is called popularly as "Vaikunta Dwaram". There are no inscriptions or recorded material available to give the history of the temple. There are, however, Puranic and traditional accounts, which are widely popular among the devotees. Tradition records that Yadagirigutta is connected with the Yadava chiefs who constructed the temple of Lord Narasimha. According to a legend, it is said that on this hill the Lord manifested himself in three different forms to the Yadavas.
Warangal	Top^
Warrangal is a major tourist destination located towards the north east of Hyderabad city. The place constitutes an ancient district situated some 150 kilometres from the famous capital of Andhra Pradesh state. There is a direct railway line and a major road from Hyderabad that leads to the township. Warrangal is an ancient district and used to serve as the capital of Kakatiyan empire in the twelfth and thirteenth century. The city was ruled by different dynasties the impressions of which are still found in the art and architecture of the place. The characteristic blend found in many attractions is attributed to the great Hindu and Muslim dynasties that used to rule Warrangal. Historian, archaeologists and tourists find it awesome. The beauty and grandeur presented by the monuments at Warrangal is amazing, it reveals the brilliance reached at the time when there was not even the concept of paper and pen.
Nagarjuna sagar	Top^
Nagarjuna Sagar in Andhra Pradesh located about 150 kilometers from Hyderabad, Nagarjuna Sagar is a well-known irrigation dam built on the Krishna River. The tallest and biggest masonry dam in the world, Nagarjuna Sagar creates the third largest man-made lake in the world. In ancient history, Nagarjuna Sagar was known as Vijayapuri. The name, Nagarjuna Sagar is derived from Nagarjuna, which is one of the most respected Buddhist monks who ruled the region in the 2nd century. Nagarjuna Sagar was earlier an important site for Buddhist teachings and propagation. Some of the tourist attractions to visit during a tour to Nagarjuna Sagar are the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, which was completed in 1966 and measures 124 meters in height and 1 kilometer in length. The dam has 26 gates. Around the dam are the historic sites where relics of Buddhist excavations dating back to the 3rd century were found. Nagarjunakonda is an interesting island museum located in the midst of the Nagarjuna Sagar Lake. The museum houses significant relics of Buddhist culture and art that make it an important place to visit during a tour to Nagarjuna Sagar. Mahachaitya, the main stupa of the museum contains relics of Buddha.
Ramoji Film City	Top^
Ramoji Film City is the world's largest film studio with a space about 2,000 acres. Ramoji Film City of Hyderabad is one of the chief tourist attractions of India and Asia. The film city was inaugurated in the year 1996. The film city is not only the place for the film sets, set construction, shooting stages and movie studio but is an ideal tourist destination too. Every year million of tourists add revenue to the state by visiting the place. Ramoji film city is located 16 miles away from the historic city of Hyderabad. Ramoji film city offers the tourist to know every detail about movie making. Starting from pre production to post production all the steps can be observed in this film city. The hills, lakes, fountains, pathways offer excellent landscapes for shooting films. The sets range from Japanese garden to horrified jungle of Africa to mock architectures of Paris to miniature of Taj Mahal. Different landscapes, costumes, antiques, furniture, paintings give the tourists to experience different eras starting from stone age to contemporary times. Not only Bollywood, but Hollywood producers prefer film shooting in this city where the world merges in to 2,000 acres of land. Eureka is the place where visitors can experience different surprises. The Mauryan art and the architecture will take you in a journey to ancient India. The tourist attractions of Ramoji Film City are manifolds. Tourists can experience the mock- film making procedure that is only organized for the tourists.