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Hyderabad, the magical name that
brings to the mind's eye visions of royal grandeur and
leisurely "Nawabi" (kingly) atmosphere. A Vacationer's
delight, this legendary city with a 400-year-old
history, of the splendour of Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi
dynasties, Moghal grandeur, exotic cuisine, and
exquisite markets, is world famous for its fascinating
contrasts and unrivalled attractions.
Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, is the fifth
largest cosmopolitan city in India. The City thrives
with a variety of cultures intermingled into an
astounding culture that gives it a distinct identity of
its own. This is where tradition fuses with modernity,
and heritage structures vie with modern high-rise
buildings to add to the beauty of the city.
Located in the heart of the Deccan plateau, 1760 ft
above the sea level, Hyderabad has an invigorating
climate with awe inspiring prehistoric rocks and natural
lakes, along with a variety of flora and flauna.
Hyderabad offers a variety of tourist attractions
ranging from Heritage monuments, Lakes and Parks,
Gardens and Resorts, Museums to delectable cuisine and a
delightful shopping experience. The city of Hyderabad is
a shopper's delight! From the world famous pearls to
traditional arts & crafts, from textiles of all modern
brand names to ethnic wear, the city offers an
astounding variety of shopping. Hyderabad is famous
world over for its fabulous diamond markets, glass
embedded bangles and the delectable "Hyderabadi
Cuisine".
It is unique in being one of the few cities where
tradition and technology co-exist, a revolution that has
already attracted Microsoft and other major MNC's to set
their overseas base here. With a dynamic leadership, the
state is steering the nation to new dimensions in the
fields of Information Technology, Biotechnology,
Pharmaceuticals, Business Management, Construction, and
more - to emerge as a land of immense business
opportunities. |
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The city of smiles, of lights, of a
thousand faces. Endearingly called the Pearl City,
Hyderabad offers a variety of tourist attractions
ranging from Heritage monuments, Lakes and Parks,
Gardens and Resorts, Museums to delectable cuisine and a
delightful shopping experience. Some of the tourist
attractions include...
Charminar:
The Charminar is as much the signature of Hyderabad as
the Taj Mahal is of Agra or the Eiffel Tower is of
Paris. Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, the founder of
Hyderabad, built Charminar in 1591 at the centre of the
original city layout. It was said to be built as a charm
to ward off a deadly epidemic raging at that time. Four
graceful minarets soar to a height of 48.7m. above the
ground. Charminar has 45 prayer spaces and a mosque in
it. Visitors can view the architectural splendour inside
the Charminar. The monument is illuminated in the
evenings and a pedestrianisation project around the
monument is under implementation.
Golconda Fort:
Golconda is one of the famous forts of India. The name
originates from the Telugu words “Golla Konda” meaning
“Shepherd’s Hill”. The origins of the fort can be traced
back to the Yadava dynasty of Deogiri and the Kakatiyas
of Warangal. Golconda was originally a mud fort, which
passed to the Bahmani dynasty and later to the Qutb
Shahis, who held it from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The first
three Qutb Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda, over a span of
62 years. The fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces,
ingenious water supply system and the famous Fateh
Rahben gun, one of the cannons used in the last siege of
Golconda by Aurangzeb, to whom the fort ultimately fell.
Sound & Light Show at Golconda Fort
The glorious past of Golconda Fort is narrated
effectively with matchless Sound and Light effects. The
unique Sound & Light Show takes you right back in time,
when Golconda was full of life, glory and grandeur.
Qutb Shahi Tombs:
The tombs of the legendary Qutb Shahi kings lie
about a kilometre away from Banjara Darwaza of the
Golconda Fort. Planned and built by the Qutb Shahis
themselves, these tombs are said to be the oldest
historical monuments in Hyderabad. They form a large
group and stand on a raised platform. The tombs are
built in Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural styles
using grey granite, with stucco ornamentation, the only
one of its kind in the world where an entire dynasty has
been buried at one place.
Click here to see the virtual tour of Qutb Shahi Tombs
Mecca Masjid:
A two hundred yards southwest of the Charminar is
the Mecca Masjid, so named because the bricks were
brought from Mecca to build the central arch. The Qutb
Shahis never finished the building of the mosque, which
was completed by Aurangzeb in 1694. Mecca Masjid is
poetry in stone, with a hall measuring 67m and soaring
to a height of 54m. Fifteen graceful arches - five to
each of the three sides, support the roof. Towards the
southern end of the mosque lie the marble graves of
members of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
Legislative Assembly:
Built in 1913, the building was originally the
Hyderabad Town hall. The architecture is a synthesis of
Rajasthani and Persian styles, with an all white,
aesthetic look. Located adjoining the picturesque Public
Gardens, a massive statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a sitting
posture is erected at the entrance park to the Assembly.
Osmania University:
Established in 1918, it is one of the oldest
universities in India. Named after Nizam Mir Osman Ali
Khan, the university buildings are splendid, especially
the Arts College, which is a perfect example of Indo-Saracenic
architecture.
Birla Mandir:
This white marble temple of Lord Venkateshwara
floats on the city skyline, on Kala Pahad. The idol in
the temple is a replica of the one at Tirupati.
Salar Jung Museum:
This museum houses one of the biggest one-man
collections of antiques of the world by Mir Yousuf Ali
Khan, Salar Jung III. The objects d’art include Persian
carpets, Moghal miniatures, Chinese porcelain, Japanese
lacquerware, famous statues including the Veiled Rebecca
and Marguerite and Mephistopheles, a superb collection
of jade, daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jahan and the
Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb’s sword and
many other fabulous items.
Andhra Pradesh State Archaeological Museum:
A visit to the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeological
Museum is a delight for art lovers. Located in the
picturesque Public Gardens, the museum boasts of one of
the richest repositories of antiques and art objects in
the country. Built in 1920 by the Nizam VII, the museum
building itself is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic
architecture. The museum contains a Buddhist gallery,
Brahmanical & Jain gallery, Bronze gallery, Arms &
Armour gallery, Numismatics gallery, Ajanta gallery and
more. Adjacent to the State Museum is the Contemporary
Art Museum.
The Nizam‘s Silver Jubilee Museum:
The stately Purani Haveli, the palace acquired
around the year 1750 by the second Nizam, is now
converted into a museum with a fascinating collection.
The museum exhibits the gifts and mementos presented to
the last Nizam on the occasion of the silver jubilee
celebrations in 1937. A 1930 Rolls Royce, Packard and a
Mark V Jaguar are among the vintage cars displayed.
There is an interesting collection of models made in
silver of all the prominent buildings of the city and
citations in Urdu about H.E.H. Mir Osman Ali Khan, gold
burnished wooden throne used for the silver jubilee
celebrations, gold tiffin box inlaid with diamonds, and
a gold model of Jubilee Pavilion.
Birla Planetarium/Birla Science Museum:
Birla Planetarium is India’s most modern planetarium
and first of its kind in the country. It is equipped
with advanced technology from Japan and is built on
Naubat Pahad adjacent to Kala Pahad. And the Science
Museum stands tribute to the advancement achieved by
Science and Technology.
Chow Mohalla Complex:
Built in several phases by the Nizams between
1857-1869, this is now one of the heritage buildings.
The complex comprises four palaces in Moghal and
European styles, of which the main palace is double
storeyed with the others being single-storeyed blocks.
Nehru Zoological Park:
Spanning 300 lush green acres, the Nehru Zoological
Park is a must for nature lovers. It has over 250
species of animals and birds, most of which are kept in
conditions as close to their natural habitats as
possible. This is the first zoo to create moated
enclosures for animals. The Lion Safari Park, Natural
History Museum and Children’s Train are the added
attractions. APTDC runs an ice-cream parlour and
restaurant here.
Shilparamam - The Arts & Crafts village:
Another attraction at Madhapur beyond Jubilee Hills
in Hyderabad is the 30-acre village, which showcases
arts and crafts of the country. India is an ocean of
various arts and crafts but the talent of most of the
artisans and artists goes unrecognized. To encourage
them and give the necessary boost to their art, the
crafts village hosts annual bazaars, where artists and
artisans from all over the country exhibit their talent.
Public Gardens
Hyderabad has several beautiful gardens, one of the
most popular being the Public Gardens, which also
encloses the State Legislature, State Archaeological
Museum, Jubilee Hall, Jawahar Bal Bhavan and Telugu
Lalita Kala Thoranam, an open-air theatre.
Boating: AP Tourism operates pedal boats in Public
Gardens pond.
Ramoji Film City:
A dream world created for the celluloid on a
sprawling 1000 acres, with every imaginable set and
location, Ramoji Film City on the outskirts of Hyderabad
offers facilities to produce any kind of movie. Apart
from sets, there are hotels where artistes and
technicians can stay. Visitors too can go round in
conducted tours that the management organises.
Click here to see the virtual tour of Ramoji Film City
Hi-tech City:
One of the modern monuments of trade and technology,
it embodies the newfound 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 this part of the world. Cyber Towers is the main
building here.
Lumbini Park:
This beautiful entertainment park is situated on the
shore of Hussainsagar lake. The landscaping here is a
visual treat. A musically synchronized water fountain
and a floral clock are major attractions here. Lumbini
Park jetty is a major point for pleasure boating of AP
Tourism.
Hyderabad Botanical Gardens:
The first Botanical Gardens in Andhra Pradesh,
spread over 120 acres. Already open to public is the
first phase, with the completion of some sections. The
sections include medicinal plants, timber trees, fruit
trees, ornamental plants, aquatic plants and bamboos.
The Park has been designed to have large water bodies,
rolling meadows, natural forests, rich grasslands and
exquisite rock formations.
Hussainsagar Lake:
Excavated in 1562 A.D. by Hussain Shah Wali during
the time of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, the lake has a
promenade that is a busy thoroughfare today. Boating and
water sports are a regular feature in the Hussainsagar.
One of the World’s tallest monolithic statues of the
Buddha stands on the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’, in the middle
of the lake.
Added to all these, AP Tourism has additional boating
facilities like speed boats, motor boats, 48 seater
launch etc. Starlit dinner on-board and private parties
also can be arranged on the Launch.
Osmansagar Lake:
Osmansagar, better known as Gandipet, on the
outskirts of Hyderabad is an excellent picnic spot.
Osmansagar is one of the two lakes on the city’s
periphery that supplies drinking water to the great
metropolis. The lake is a reservoir created by a dam
across the Isa, a tributary of the River Musi. Abutting
the lake and the bund are lush gardens that provide the
ideal ambience for an outing. Overlooking the lake is
the heritage building, Sagar Mahal, built as a resort by
the Nizam of Hyderabad and converted now into a lake
resort managed by AP Tourism.
Shamirpet:
Located 24 km to the north of Secunderabad,
Shamirpet has a beautiful lake and a deer park. Its
peaceful environs make it a great picnic spot. AP
Tourism offers comfortable cottage facilities for
accommodation, while the forest
lodges can be booked with the AP Forest Department
office at Saifabad.
Tourist Cottages.
Mir Alam Tank:
Mir Alam Tank is a large lake adjacent to Nehru
Zoological Park. AP Tourism operates boats on the lake,
for which one has to enter through the Zoo.
Secret Lake (Durgam Cheruvu):
The ‘Secret Lake’ is situated close to Shilparamam
Crafts Village and Hi-tech City, behind Jubilee Hills. AP
Tourism organizes boating in the lake. ‘Something
Fishy’, a bar Secret Lake (Durgam Cheruvu)
KBR National Park:
One of the largest parks within the city KBR
National Park is a Southern tropical deciduous forest
and the last vestigial representative of the endemic
flora of Hyderabad region, with over 100 species of
birds, 20 species of reptiles and 15 species of
butterflies.
Mrugavani National Park (Chilkur):
Located 25 km. from Hyderabad, the park contains the
endemic flora of Hyderabad and is an urban refuge for
small mammals like wildboar, jungle cat etc. and birds.
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali National Park:
Located 15 Km. from Hyderabad, the park has more
than 350 black bucks, 400 cheetals and a number of wild
boars, small mammals, reptiles and over 100 species of
birds. |
The
eternal city of love, art, and history, flourishing
together in perfect harmony making it one of the most
enchanting places in the world. Hyderabad's warm
hospitality, impressive monuments, mosques, minarets,
art and architectural richness, and technological
progress will take you through an amazing journey of its
glorious past and a spirited voyage into its promising
future.