ANDHRA PRADESH

Hussain Sagar: 1.5 Km.
This lake, around which the city is spread, was constructed in 1562 A.D. This lake marks the gratitude of the Qutb Shahi King Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah to Hussain Shah Wali, who helped him recover from his illness. The road across the bund, is a busy thorough fare connecting the twin cities. Boating and Water Sports are a regular feature at the Hussain Sagar, Another major attraction is the 18 metre 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 state

Mahankali Temple : 6 Km.
This temple in Secunderabad is dedicated to Mahakali and is well known for its Bonalu Festivities in June – July.

Mecca Masjit : 7 Km.
One hundred yards South-West of Charminar lies Mecca Masjid, the most impressive mosque in South India. It was started in 1614 A.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 ad entrance arches are made of single slabs of granite brought from a stone quarry, 11 Km north of Charminar. Legend says, 1400 bullocks were required to pull these. Mecca Masjid is poetry in stone, with a hall measuring 67 m and soaring to a height of 54 m. 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 all Nizams, from the time of Nizam Ali Khan (who died in 1803 A.D.) and his successors, except that of Mir Osman Ali Khan Nizam VII.

Nehru Zoological Park : 10 Km.
Spread across an area of 300 lush green acres, this Zoo is a must 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 Mondays. Timings : 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Purani Haveli : 6 Km.
A splendid palatial Mansion worth viewing. Prior permission is required to visit.

Qutb Shahi Tombs : 12 Km.
1 Km away from the Banjara Darwaja 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 ad Hindu architectural styles using grey granite, with stucco ornamentation.
(Timings : 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.  Closed on Fridays).

Vanasthalipuram Deer Park : 17 Km.
A 300 acre deer park with natural Vegetation, it shelters wild life such as the Spotted deer, Black buck, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Python and over a hundred species of birds.

Salarjung Museum : 5 Km.
This Museum is a unique art collection of a greet Connoisseur of art, Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, better known to the world as Salarjung III, scion of an illustrious ad wealthy family and a short lived Prime Minister of Hyderabad. The objects of d’art include Persian carpets, Mughal miniatures, Chinese procelian, Japanese acquerware famous sculptures 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, Aurangzeb’s sword, silver bidri and brocade, rocco, baroque and pre-Raphaelite art, even cuckoo clocks and walking sticks.
(Closed on Fridays) (Timings: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

Jami Masjit : 7 Km.
Also near the Charminar, this is the oldest Mosque in Hyderabad (1597 A.D.)

Birla Observatory and Planetarium : 1 Km.
The most modern and the first of its kind planetarium in India, it is equipped with the most advanced technology from Japan. This is built on the Naubat Pahad, from where, in the times of the Nawabs royal edicts were read out.
(Timings : 10.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.  Closed on last Thursday of the month).

Public Gardens : 1 Km.
One of the several beautiful gardens and the most popular, the public garden enclosed the State legislature, State archeological Museum, Jubilee Hall, Jawahar Bal Bhavan and Telugu Lalitha Kala Thoranam, an open air theatre.

Osman Sagar : 13 Km.
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, Osmansagar is known as Gandipet.

Laad Bazar : 7 Km.
This famous, colourful shopping center of the old city, is tucked away in one of the streets leading off from the Charminar. Bridal wear, Pearls, Attar (Perfume) and the traditional Hyderabadi glass and stone studded bangles are sold here.

The areas surrounding charminar are truly a shopper’s paradise. “Charkaman” and Mitti-ja-Sher” are famous for antique Kundan and enamel jewellery, temple sarees, old bidri and silver, crystal and pearls. “Darushafa” is famous for the tissue – thin silver leaf that decorates Indian sweetmeats, and Bidri ware. The appliquéd patchwork skirts, bags and belts, set with sparkling mirrors and tiny beads of the Banjara gypsies: Nirmal lacquerware, ornate brass from pembarthi: Kondapalli carved toys; leather puppets and warangal carpets combine to make Hyderabad truly a shopper’s paradise.

Birla Archaelogical Museum : 9.5 Km.
A lesser known but exquisite museum consisting of excavations at historical sites. The entire collection is housed in Asman Ghad Palace.

Khazana Museum : 12 Km.
On the way to Golconda, this is another of the city’s museums which houses a number of stone sculptures.

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