Places to Visit

Golconda Fort

The origin of the Golconda Fort can be traced to Yadava dynasty of Deogiri and Kakatiyas of Warangal. The name originates from the telugu word "Golla Konda" "Shephard's Hill", Earlier it was a mud fort and existing structure was expanded by Qutub Shai kings into a massive fort of granite with walls having eight gates and 87 bastions extending upto 7 kms, in circumference over a span of 62 years.

The fort which passed to Bahami dynasty and later to Qutub Shahi who held it from 1518 A.D. and finally fell to Aurangzeb in 1687. It is famous for its acoustic system, palaces and ingenious water supply system.

It was once famous for Diamond market. The world famous diamond "kohinoor" is said to have come from here.

A sound and light show in the evening reenacts the glory and grandeur of Qutub Shahi dynasty.

Qutub Shahi Tombs

Just half a km. away from Golconda Fort lie the Royal Tombs of Qutub Shahi Kings where seven of the sultans lie buried in the midst of the Ibrahim Bagh.

Charminar

This is a symbolic monument with its four imposing minarets each 54 meters high, well decorated with lotus buds and petals. It also houses a mosque.

It was built by Mohd. Quli Qutub Shah in 1591 to commemorate the cessation of plague in the city.

Hyderabad is also known as "City of Pearls". Also famous for stone studded colored bangles and other bridal finery is the Lad Bazar which provides a feast for the eyes.

Mecca Masjid

A stone's throw away from Charminar one can see Mecca Masjid. Its foundation was laid by Sultan Mohd. Qutub Shah in 1614 and was completed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in 1694. The mosque is said to have bricks from Mecca were placed on the top of central arch. hence it is called Mecca masjid. It is the biggest mosque in South India accommodating 10,000 persons for prayer at a time. In the chamber adjoining Mecca masjid are the tombs of the Asaf Jahi rulers.

Salarjung Museum

The Salarjung Museum houses one of the biggest one man collection of priceless antiques in the world, displayed in 35 rooms. Among them Jade room contains priceless objects belonged to former Indian rulers like Aurangzeb, Tipu Sultan, Shahjahan and the Asaf Jahis of Hyderabad.

Public Garden

One of the best laid out gardens in the country, it houses the State Legislature, State Archaeological Museum, Jublee Hall, Jawahar Bal Bhavan and Telugu Lalitha Kala Thoranaman open air theater.

Sri Venkateshwara Temple

Popularly known as 'Birla Mandir', it is built on 280 feet high Kala Pahad over looking the picturesque, Hussain Sagar lake by the Hindustan Charity Trust on a 13 acre plot. The temple was built with 2000 tones of white marble.

The magnificent architecture of this temple is synthesis of north and south Indian style. The main temple is of the North Indian style and RajaGopuram (main entrance gate) and Garudalaya are of south Indian style of Architecture. The main deity is 9.5 feet high made of granite brought from Phirangipuram in Guntar District.

Birla Planetarium

Birla planetarium is India's most modern planetarium and first of it's kind in the country. It is equipped with the most advanced technology from Japan and built on Naubath Pahad

Osmania University

The University named after the Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan was established in 1918 and for several years it was situated in various buildings, finally in 1939 shifted to Arts College. It is fine piece of Architecture with a blend of Indo-Persian and Arabic style.

Paigah Tombs

Paigahas are the noble family of Hyderabad, next only to Nizams. They were the only Jagirdars who were permitted to maintain army. The tombs are situated at Santoshnagar. Each tomb was built with unique lime and mortar in Indo Sarcenic Architecture well decorated with flowers, famous jali work and have marble inlay work on them.

Nehru Zoological Park

Sprawling across 300 lush green acres, the Nehru Zoological park is the biggest Zoo in India with over 250 species with 2450 Nos, of different kinds of animals and birds kept in natural environment. The Lion safari park, the first in Asia, Natural History Museum, pre-historical Animals park, Nocturnal Birds, a children park with a train ride are other impressive sights.

Hussain Sagar

Hussain Sagar Lake which links twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad was constructed during the reign of Ibrahim Qutub Shah, by Hussainshah Wali, in 1562. There are 33 statues of historical personage of Andhra Desha placed along the bund of the lake. Another major attraction of Hussain Sagar Lake is the installation of an 18 meter high 350 ton monolithic statue of Lord Buddha on the rock of Gibraltor in the middle of the Lake. Boat rides and musical fountain in the Lumbini Park located in Buddha Purnima are popular attractions.