Tourism in Telangana - Telangana Tourist Places, Temples, Wildlife Sanctuaries: Hyderabad

Showing posts with label Hyderabad. Show all posts

Sitaram Bagh Temple, Hyderabad

Sitaram Bagh Temple, Hyderabad, TelanganaSitaram Bagh temple is an ancient temple situated in Mangalhat suburb of Hyderabad in the Indian state Telangana. Dedicated to Lord Rama and his wife Sita, the temple is one of the oldest temples devoted to these deities. It spans over an area of 25 acres and has been listed amongst the heritage buildings by INTACH. The temple was constructed in the year 1833 by Puranmal Ganeriwala, who was a banker by profession and a great devotee of the deities. The construction of this temple dates back to the rule of Qutub Shahi Kings.

Deities of Sitaram Bagh Temple
Sitaram Bagh temple has a main sanctum sanctorum where the images of main deities, Lord Rama and Sita, are installed. The idols are carved in marble. In addition to this, the temple also houses shrines dedicated to Varadarajaswamy, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Hanuman and Lord Shiva.

Architecture of Sitaram Bagh Temple
Sitaram Bagh temple has an imposing architecture which exhibits an amalgam of South Indian, Rajasthani, Mughal and European architectural styles. A colossal wall surrounds the temple which rises to a height of 20 feet and gives the temple the appearance of a fort. The major area of Sitaram Bagh temple has an open scrub while the minor area has a complex of temples, residential quarters and samadhis. The courtyard of the temple showcases a unique structure, style and facet which enthral the viewers with its magnificence. The temple has three enormous gateways facing three directions east, west and south. The main gateway is situated on the Mallepally - Mangalhat, embellished with beautiful gopuram resting on two walls. These in turn have balconies having European features. A zigzag path leads to the temple complex.

There is a canopied overhanging balcony exhibiting Rajasthani style which comprises the most noteworthy feature of the temple. Other prominent features of the temple include several inns and rooms with facades decorated with stucco decorations, three step wells and a stone mandapam in South Indian style. A pair of fluted domed pavilions built in Indo-European style also lies there which have been constructed in the memory of Puranmal and his son, Premsukh Dasji. It is said that some of the structures of the temple complex are about 200 years old.

Visiting Information
Sitaram Bagh temple has a good connectivity of roadways and railways. Nearest railway station to reach the temple is situated in Nampally whereas Sitaram Bagh station is the closest bus stop.

Sri Ranga Natha Swamy Temple- Gachibowli, Hyderabad

Sri Ranga Natha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Sri Ranga Natha Swamy located in Gachibowli locality of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. It’s built in South Indian architectural style and it’s among the sacred temples of Sri Ranganatha. Sri Ranga Natha Swamy is a famous God mostly worshiped in South India which is a resting form of Lord Vishnu.

Sri Ranga Natha Swamy Temple was constructed in 1990 during the regime of Nizam Kings. It’s believed that Sri Ranganatha Swamy brings prosperity and health to the followers. Sri Ranganatha or Ranga is a Hindu deity mostly popular in South India. During the month of March-April, based on the Indian Calendar a grand festival is held and this is called Brahmostsavam, which is the best time to see the temple with mass gathering. Also during Vaikunta Ekadasi you can spot major celebrations here. The good thing about this temple is unlike other temple which asks for darshana and Archanas, there is no fee charged here for the same.

Beside Sri Ranganathaswamy being the primary deity, you can spot His consort Goddess Lakshmi (also known as Ranganayaki) and other secondary Gods idols.

The temple is open for darshanam from 6 Am to 12 noon and 4 Pm to 8 Pm on all days. The closest bus stop is Nanakramguda and the closest MMTS railway station is Hi-Tech City. It’s better you have your Google Maps on and travel according to pathfinder assistance but asking people for the route here can mislead you.

Durgam Cheruvu, Hyderabad

Hyderabad has many glorious places to its array of perfect getaways and leisure destinations. The royal city of Nawabs is home to a secret lake, which is popularly known as the Durgam Cheruvu.Durgam Cheruvu is a freshwater lake located in Rangareddy district, Telangana, India. The lake, which is spread over 83 acres (34 ha), is located near the city of Hyderabad. The lake is also known as Secret Lake because it is hidden between the localities of Jubilee Hills and Madhapur.
Durgam Cheruvu is in a secluded location that is spread over an area of sixty-three acres and is a picturesque location surrounded by green pastures and scenic hills of the Deccan Plateau. The reason behind this intriguing name is indistinct but old timers assert that for many years the lake remained hidden as there were no roads to reach the place and it was well kept away from naked eye for twenty years.

Heritage
The lake is shielded by granite rocks that are said to be only one of its kinds in entire Asia. The stones date back to more than some 2,500 million years. Nature lovers are very attracted to this place
This secret lake is situated close to Shilparamam craft village and the city’s software hub, Hitech city. The lake has now been developed into a haven for visitors. The tourism department has introduced boating facilities to lure people into visiting this exotic place. The visitors throng this place for the entertaining activities like fishing, which is very rare in the city. This appealing lake serves as one best place for the film shootings. It is also the most recommended picnic spot for busy Hyderabadis who look for a rejuvenating weekend.

Tourism
The tourism department initiated steps in 2001 for promoting the lake as a tourist destination. As a part of this plan, five boats were to be deployed at the lake. In 2002, the lake is considered as an ideal destination for people who intend to indulge in fishing as a pastime. The lake has been adorned with various beautification steps while the area surrounding the lake has been illuminated with artificial waterfalls, a rock garden and a floating fountain were added. In addition to this, a 2-kilometer walkway was created and opened for public.

For heritage lovers, the rocks of this lake are living fossils while nature enthusiasts collect specimens from the lake and the shrubs nearby which is replete with good flora and fauna.

Facilities
The Tourism Department has provided camping, pedal boating, and trekking facilities. The park on the top is a perfect place to spend a quiet evening and watch the sun set. The water during sunset takes a golden colour and the lush green trees surrounding it make it a wonderful sight. There is yet another view of the secret lake, from the road that is equally beautiful, where one can spot peacocks and birds in the early mornings. There is also a well-maintained restaurant for people looking for food and refreshments.

Boats are usually hired for film shootings at Rs. 2,500/- per day for a 4-seater pedal boat and for water scooter the tariff is approximately Rs.3,000/- per day. Boating of all types such as Mechanized Boat, Water Scooter & Pedal Boat is readily available here, a major highlight of the lake. The trip on a mechanized boat is very much thrilling as it takes tourists from one end of the lake to the other. Similarly, a ride on a putty’, that has been newly introduced, is indeed quite thrilling and it costs you around Rs. 20/- per trip.

Added attractions
Adventure activities such as rock climbing, trekking, rappelling, an art gallery and a sculptor park for artists are now some of the added attractions. It also has an amphitheater, with a capacity to hold 1,500 people at a time. Youngsters of Hyderabad and some adventure clubs organize trekking activities at Durgam Cheruvu during weekends, which are a big draw.
The lighting facility in the backdrop of heritage rocks here adds a completely different dimension to the beauty of the lake. The silent chirps of birds and the easy access to Hyderabad’s IT corridor has earned Durgam Cheruvu a unique name and is frequented by employees of the technology companies located close by.

Other facilities
This lake is one best place for the film shootings and it is recommended for its picturesque picnic spot. The cost of film shooting is around Rs.75,000/- per day. You can have a very relaxing time, exploring the gentle waves of water, the lush greenery around and the rocky terrains. If you intend to unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, then this is a right place for you.

How to Reach
The lake is a 2-kilomtere drive from Cyber Towers and one has to traverse short lanes and urban settlements from Jubilee hills. It takes 10 minutes to reach Durgam Cheruvu from Madhapur police station.

Time to Visit
The best time to visit the lake is during the evening. However, the lake is a paradise for people living in the vicinity where one can enjoy morning work and jog around in an environment with fresh air.

Shahi Masjid, Hyderabad

Shahi Masjid is a majestic mosque and popular pilgrimage center located inside the Public Gardens, one of oldest gardens in Hyderabad that was built in 1846 during the Nizam rule.

The last Nizam used to come here with his family members on Fridays and during special festivals like Eid to offer prayers, thus giving the mosque its name, Shahi Masjid or Royal Mosque.

Truly depicting the Shahi architecture which is characterized by arches, domes, columns and minarets, this mosque can accommodate up to 102 worshippers at one time. This mosque has two Niyaz Khanas or kitchens built on either side, constructed to feed the visiting pilgrims and poor.

To understand the beauty of how this mosque used to be, one can visit the Nizam Museum at Purani Haveli where a beautiful model of Shahi Masjid is displayed.
As this mosque lies within the public gardens one can also visit the other prestigious institutions situated here or spend time admiring the beautiful landscaping of surrounding lawns and pathways.

The best time to visit this mosque would be during the Friday prayers.

Located in the heart of Hyderabad, Shahi Mosque is easily accessible by state run buses and taxis.

Kidihou Childrens Museum,Hyderabad

Indias 1st Childrens Play Museum providing fun, hands-on learning experiences for our communitys children 1 through 8 years. We envision creating fun and unique learning centers in India, which build community strength and improve quality of life by empowering both children and adults to engage in fun, innovative and interactive play.

WEBSITE :www.kidihou.com
FACEBOOK PAGE :www.facebook.com/Kidihou
ADDRESS :Sanjeev Enclave, Whitefields Road, Whitefields, Kothaguda, Hyderabad
040-23004348, 07382404348

City Museum, Hyderabad

City Museum is a museum located in Hyderabad, India situated in the palace Purani Haveli.

History
The museum was inaugurated on 11 March 2012 by Nizam`s Jubilee Pavilion Trust chairman, Prince Muffakham Jah, the grandson of the last ruler of Hyderabad state Mir Osman Ali Khan.

The Museum
The museum houses neolithic pots, megalithic sites, European styled terracotta figurines, coins of Satvahana period among others.

Bella Vista, Hyderabad

Bella Vista is a royal palace of the Nizam during the existence of Hyderabad State, now located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

It is the Indo-European building standing on a 10-acre (40,000 m2) verdant campus. The building's French architect christened it as Bella Vista, meaning beautiful sight, since it overlooks the Hussain sagar lake.

It is located at Saifabad suburb. It was modeled on the Henley-on-Thames of England. History It was in this palace that the heir apparent to the (throne) of Hyderabad, Prince of Berar, Nawab Mir Himayat Ali Khan, Azam Jah Bahadur, the elder son of the Seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, stayed.He stayed at the palace with his Princess Durru Shehvar. Some of the famous visitors to the palace include, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It now houses the Administrative Staff College of India.

Makkah Masjid, Hyderabad

The Mecca Masjid is the oldest mosque in Hyderabad and is situated near Charminar, Chowmahalla Palace and Laad Bazaar. The construction of Mecca Masjid was started by Sultan Mohammed Qutub Shah, but was completed after 77 years by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1694. A listed heritage building in the city of Hyderabad, Mecca Masjid is a remarkable structure built in granite with beautiful interiors.

Nearly 8,000 labourers were employed to build this imposing Masjid. As the visitors get past the main gateway and enter a huge court, a large pond of bluish waters welcomes them. On the periphery of the pond are two stone and slab benches and whoever sits on them, according to legend, returns to sit on them again.

The main prayer hall of the Masjid rises 75 feet above the ground, sufficient to house ten thousand people at a time. It has five passageways. The roof of the main Masjid has fortifications made up of granite boards on all four sides. The roof is supported by 15 elegant arches, five each on all three sides. The fourth side is blocked by a high wall to provide ‘mehrab’ i.e. direction of prayer towards Mecca. There are five intricately arched smokescreens which have been carved out of a single portion of granite.

There are also four minarets with spherical corners, arched galleries and octagonal balconies and a small dome above each. The domes at the apex of the Mecca Masjid were included in the mosque architecture by the Mughal emperors later. Inscriptions from the Holy Quran embellish many of the arches and doors of the Masjid. The floral motifs and frescoes over the arches display sculptural excellence and remind us about the emphasis given to details in the Qutub Shahi style of architecture.

The Mecca Masjid has within its premises the tombs of the Asaf Jahi dynasty rulers. The courtyard of the mosque has a room which stores some of the ancient and sacred relics and artefacts.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Mecca Masjid and Hyderabad is between the months of October and March after the monsoons. As the winters here are fairly cool unlike the summers which get very hot, this is ideally the best time to visit Mecca Masjid.

Trivia

Mecca Masjid derives its name from the bricks used in its construction, which were brought from the holy city of Mecca.

A room in the courtyard of the Mecca Masjid is believed to house a strand of hair of Prophet Mohammed.

Timing
The Mecca Masjid remains open on all days from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Nehru Zoological Park,Hyderabad

Nehru Zoological Park (also known as Hyderabad Zoo or Zoo Park) is a zoo located near Mir Alam Tank in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is one of the most visited destinations in Hyderabad.

Location: Bahadurpur, at a distance of 16 km from Hyderabad, Telangana

Main Wildlife Attractions: fruit bats, slender loris, slow loris, civets,hedgehogs, barn owls, mottled wood owls, fishing owls

Coverage Area: 380 Acre

Established: 1963Zoo hours vary by season, and the zoo is closed on Mondays.

Significance:Largest zoo in India

Attractions:1,500 species of animals and birds, Lion Safari Park, Natural History Museum and Museum of Pre-historic Animals

Nehru Zoological Park is credited with being the largest zoo in India. It is located at a distance of 16 km from Hyderabad and comes under the Bahadupur region. The park was named after Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. For wildlife lovers, Nehru Zoological Park is the best place to explore the rich flora and fauna in its natural habitat. Sprawled over an area of approximately 300 acres, the zoo has a wide array of animals, birds and reptiles.

Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lions, Royal Bengal Tiger, White Tiger, Black Panther, Giraffes and Black Bears are some amongst the animals' treasure of the zoo. In case you are hunting for adventure and buzz, then you can take jeep safari of the Lion Park, a place with exclusive charm throughout the continent. Nehru Zoological Park is an abode to both, African and Indian Lions. If lucky enough, you may come across the Big Cats devouring their kill just a few feet away.

Apart from the animals, there are also reptiles, including Giant/Star Tortoises, Water Turtles, Chameleons, Hooded Indian Cobra, Monitor Lizards, Russell's Viper, Giant Rock-Python, Tree Snakes, Estuarine Crocodiles, etc. Amongst the herbivores, Nehru Zoological Park also boasts of Elephants, Rhinoceros, Hippopotamus, Zebras, Chousingha, American Bison, Chinkara, Antelopes, Black Buck, Deer, Sambar, Brow Antler Deer, etc.

Natural History Museum, which exhibits old artifacts and dummies of extinct animals, is another attraction at the park. In the periphery, there is a Nocturnal Birds Park also, housing atypical and exotic species of nocturnal birds and animals including owls and lemurs. There is another museum that displays pre-historic creatures which were present on the earth before the appearance of human race. Here, you can also see computerized dummies of dinosaurs and other pre-historic creatures, which look quite real.

Visit timing

April to June: 8.00 AM to 5.30 PM

July to March: 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM

Open every day (Except Monday)

Ticket charges

Entrance ticket for Zoo will be:

	Adult	Child
Entrance	Rs. 20	Rs. 10
Train Ride	Rs. 15	Rs. 5
Regular Elephant Ride	Rs. 15	Rs. 5
Maharaja Elephant Ride	Rs. 50	Rs. 50
Safari Ride	Rs. 25	Rs. 10
Nocturnal Animal House	Rs. 10	Rs. 5

Photography

Amateur Photography Camera: Rs. 20

Professional Photography Camera: Rs. 500

Amateur Video Camera: Rs. 100

Professional Video Camera: Rs. 500

Film Shootingwith ‘U’matic Video/Cine Camera: Rs. 8500 per location, Rs. 1500 Generator Fee

How to reach Hyderabad Nehru Zoological Park

Nehru Zoological Park is situated on the south-west corner of Hyderabad city next to the Mir Alam Tank. The tourists can reach Hyderabad either by air,by road or by train. To reach Nehru Zoological Park, the tourists need to board a bus from Bahadurpurawhich passes through Charminar. They can also hire a taxi or auto-rickshawfor reaching Nehru Zoological Park. The bus fare and taxi fare from secunderabadfor each person would be:

1.Rs 40/- for special bus.

2.Taxi fare is generally between Rs 12-15/Km

Precautions to be taken in zoo

Do not pluck the flowers and plants

Do not feed animals.

Do not use plastic inside zoo.

Do not make animals scared by shouting.

Don't go too near to the cage of an animal.

PriyaDarshini Park Saroornagar , Hyderabad

PriyaDarshini Park is located adjacent to Saroornagar Lake in Hyderabad, India. Though PriyaDarshini Park is not an important point of interest to the visitors from outside of the state or cities, it has got a lot of visitors who stay in the near vicinity of the park to provide a beautiful evening walk and nature touch from the busy city life. PriyaDarshini Lake is also known by its name Saroornagar Park as its located close to Saroornagar Lake and it’s also fall in the demographic of Saroornagar. People also refer this by the name Mini Tank Bund as it replicates Lumini Park and Hussain Sagar. This park is in existence since 2006.

PriyaDarshini Park is spread over an area of 5 acres near to Saroornagar Lake and it’s located on Gaddianaram to LB Nagar connecting road. As you know the Saroornagar lake is a man-made lake spread over an area of 180 acres which was constructed in 1626 for the purpose of drinking water storage and for agricultural needs to the farmers.

Saroornagar Park Saroornagar Park Saroornagar Park Saroornagar Park Saroornagar Park
This park has got a lot of features like landscapes which was amazing to see and pass by, sculptures of different varieties but not too many, lawns for the people to sit and relax, a variety of gardens spread on a small areas. Just at the northern end of the park there still exists water sewerage treatment plant in order to purify the water of Saroornagar Lake. If it’s a lovely day, I would prefer to have self-paddle boat which can be used for 20 minutes to enjoy the lake but mechanized boat and speedy boats are just take a round at the lake within 10 minutes. You would see a Que in the evening hours here for the eager people to take a ride.

It also features a small children park with equipment’s like A to B climber, Rocket Elephant, Climber, SeeSaw, Kinder garden, SS Slide, Merry Go Round, Jungle Jim and Swing. Apart from that it has got a lovely canteen with food like cool drinks, chips and a little of bakery items.
It was also got boating facility with self-paddle boat priced at Rs 25 per head, mechanized boats priced at Rs 30 per head and speedy boat priced at Rs 50 per head. This has been the recent addition along with ‘Giri Cricket Championship’ in which you would be provided to bat for three overs through self-bowling machines with a price of Rs 30 per head. If you score well then there was some surprise gifts for you but those score can be beaten.

PriyaDarshini Park Timings

With an entry fee of Rs 5 per head you can enjoy the beautiful lake side view through the PriyaDarshini Park. It is open from 9 Am to 12 Pm in the morning and from 4 Pm to 8 Pm in the evening on weekdays. On weekend it’s open from 9 Am to 12 Pm in the morning and from 3 Pm to 9 Pm in the evening.

To sum it up, Saroornagar Park or Priyadarshini Park it’s a perfect choice for a quick visit for the people who want to have a lovely evening in the near vicinity.

Mrugavani National Park, Chilkur, Hyderabad

Mrugavani National Park is a national park located in Hyderabad,Telangana State. It is situated at Chilkur in Moinabad mandal, 20 km from MGBS and covers an area of 3.6 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi) or about 850 acres. It is home to a 600 different types of plant life. The animals include: indian hare, forest cat, civet, Indian rat snake, Russell's viper, cheetal and the flower pecker.

It is located near in Moinabad Mandal near Hyderabad cityArea: Area 3.60 km

It was made in 1994 as a wildlife sanctuary by the Government of India and its the home of about 600 species of varied plans and animals life since then. Like all the major national parks, human interference is strongly observed to make sure that all the animals remains untroubled in their normal habits. Birds like warblers, peacocks, lapwings, flower peckers & more than 100 species of birds are kept in the park. The fauna of this park consists of boar, jackals, Black naped hare, lizards, forests cats, Mongoose, Cheetal (spotted deer), Sambar, Pythons snake, Cobra snake, rat snakes, Russell’s Viper, foxes, porcupines etc.,.

This park has a high view point in the form of watch tower to watch the animals at a closer quarters. This park has also got a library, auditorium, museum with wild life exhibits and environmental education center.

The entry fee for adults in Mrugavani National Park is Rs 5 per head. The safari bus costs is Rs 50 and has a capacity of 25 people. The operation timing is from 9AM to 5PM. The transportation might not be a big problem as Hyderabad has good connectivity through public road transport. It has also got accommodations through tents, cottages and dormitories with sets of price ranges. The best season to visit is throughout the year but in summer it provides you a cool climate which is not found in city during summer.

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