Telangana Tourism
“The Newest State of India”
Telangana is the newly born 29th state of India, consisting of the ten north-western districts of Andhra Pradesh. It was originally part of the region comprising Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh. With the separation, Telangana has got a whole new identity, packed with rich history and culture this state is exploring its tourism strengths.
The capital city of Hyderabad is shared between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The famous Char Minar is located here, which is also a shared monument among the two states. However, Telangana has a lot more to offer than just that. The Chowmahalla Palace, the Golkonda fort are some of the historically significant sites situated in this state.
The Kuntala waterfalls born out of a love story between a prince and a sage’s daughter is one the largest waterfalls in this state which offer a cool respite to the tourists. Apart from this, there are many famous temples here such as Bhadrachalam and Mahabalipuram Temples; of which the Mahabalipuram temple is also called the Shore Temple owing to it’s proximity to the beach.
Diverse Destinations
Explore a myriad of our mind-boggling locations
Charminar
An identifying feature of the city, Charminar is the most prominent landmark located right in the heart of Hyderabad. The monument was erected by Quli Qutub Shah to signify the founding of Hyderabad. As is evident from the structure, it was so named as it consists of four minarets. Although it lies right in the centre of the city with traffic and crowds milling all about it, Charminar certainly manages to hold the gaze. It is also famous for the market that sprawls around it and is called ‘Laad’ or ‘Chudi’ Bazaar.
Since the construction of the monument in 1591, Charminar has been synonymous with the culture of Hyderabad standing tall as a reminder of the glorious days of the past era. It is a massive structure which has four minarets which many believe stand for the first four ‘khalifas’ (Prophets) of Islam. Towards the north of the monument, there are four gateways known as Char Kaman which have been constructed in the cardinal directions. The structure was intended to serve as a Madrasa or a Mosque. In its present form, Charminar, along with Qutub Shahi Tombs and the Golconda Fort, has been added to the ‘tentative list’ of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Golconda Fort
“The Untouched Grandeur of India”
Situated in the Western part of the beautiful city of Hyderabad at a distance of approximately 9 km from Hussain Sagar Lake, Golconda Fort is one of the region’s best-preserved monuments. The construction of this fort was completed in the 1600s and it is reputed for being the area where once, the mighty Koh-I-Noor diamond was stored. It is said that if you clap your hands at the bottom of the fort, the echoes of it can be heard right to the top! The architecture, the legends, the history, and the mystery of Golconda Fort add to its allure and make it one of the must-visit places in Hyderabad.
The mines here are known to produce some of the most coveted and popular gems ever known in the world such as Idol’s Eye, the Hope Diamond, Darya-i-noor and the famous Koo-i-noor.
In the evening, Golconda Fort comes to life with the light and sound show which showcases snippets from its regal past. The grandeur, the rise, and the fall of the fort are all spectacular in their own right. With its fascinating history, the place is definitely worth a visit.
Hussain Sagar Lake
Renowned as Asia’s largest artificial lake, Hussain Sagar Lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions located in Hyderabad. The lake itself was commissioned by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1563 and is renowned for its monolith of Lord Buddha that stands right in its centre. Incidentally, this monolith structure is the tallest of its kind in the world! Hussain Sagar lake is also Called Tank Bund and lies on a tributary of River Musi. The attraction also has 3 km long dam wall and connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. It is bordered by Indira Park, Sanjeevaiah Park, and Lumbini Park on 3 sides and is truly a relaxing and calming getaway from the city.
Although the Hussain Sagar Lake is popular for activities such as fish culture, water sports and boat rides, the major attraction of the lake is a monolithic Buddha statue situated right at the heart of the lake. The statue of Buddha was installed in the year 1992 and was inaugurated by His Holiness Dalai Lama himself. Standing at the Tank Bund, you can see the whole lake shimmering around you as the lights sparkle on the shore. Thus, the road is also known as the ‘Necklace Road’. Owing to its unique heart-shaped outline, the Hussain Sagar Lake has been declared as the ‘Heart of the World’ by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Ramoji Film City
A place that is perfect for all the lovers of cinema and Bollywood! Set up by Ramoji Rao, the head of Ramoji group in 1991, Ramoji Film City is a spectacular getaway a little outside the city of Hyderabad. It is spread over 2500 acres and has been certified as the World’s largest Film Studio Complex by the Guinness Book of World Records. Ramoji Film City can accommodate 20 film units at one go and has various shooting locations including London Street, Hollywood signage, Japanese gardens, airport, hospital, landscapes and buildings as well as laboratories. Being one of the most popular places to visit in Hyderabad, one can reach Ramoji Film City through a number of packaged tours and buses that leave regularly from the city.
Ramoji Film City is a fun and diverse venue where you can indulge in a number of activities ranging from film city tours to adventure sports and toy train rides to a number of gardens. Smaller renditions of famous monuments in the country such as the Amer Palace are also present here. What’s more, you can also stroll through a number of other sets and settings such as royal courts and other locations that have drawn inspiration from different architectures throughout the world. If you decide to visit this destination, after all, be sure to keep aside an entire day for this fun-filled location!
Chowmahalla Palace
Once the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, the Chowmahalla Palace was built in Hyderabad between the years 1857 and 1869. In essence, Chowmahalla can be literally translated to mean ‘Four Palaces’. The magnificent monument consists of two massive courtyards as well as a grand dining hall known as ‘Khilawat’. This splendid monument that once served as the official residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad during their reign still retains some of its past splendour. It is still the property of Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah, heir of the Nizams and has been decorated with UNESCO’s Asia Pacific Merit award in 2010 as well.
The architecture of the Chowmahalla Palace is an imposing sight to behold. The facade itself is a delicate artwork of domes, arches, windows and meticulously carved out designs. The complex is elegantly embellished with gentle fountains, expansive lush gardens, numerous palaces, Clock Tower, Roshan Bangla and the Council Hall. The Courtyard here is a fairytale venue to hold the most exquisite dinner parties, with the palace standing firmly in the background.
Nehru Zoological Park
With over 1500 species finding habitat here, the Nehru Zoological Park is one of the most loved attractions in the city. Neighbouring the Mir Alam tank, it is also known as Hyderabad Zoo. The massive enclosure plays host to Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Bengal Tiger, Indian Elephant as well as panthers, pythons, deer, and antelopes. Given the proximity to the tank, a number of migratory birds can also be spotted here. It is among the largest zoos in India at 380 Acres and is popular among visitors as the animals here have been kept in enclosures that resemble their natural habitat.
Once inside, the zoological park offers a number of safaris including Lion, Tiger, and Bear Safaris. For kids, there are many fun activities and enclosures like the Dinosaur Park visit, Mini train ride and elephant rides. The zoo also has a museum detailing its natural history. Migratory birds are known to arrive every year to the Mir Alam tank lake and its embankment, making it their home for a few months and adding to the biological diversity of the place.
Food in Hyderabad
When you are in Hyderabad, you are bound to try out the very famous Hyderabadi Biryani that comes along with a curry and raita. It is one of the top things to do in Hyderabad and it comes with mutton, chicken and even with vegetables (for all you vegetarians).
Other than that, the popular mouth-watering foods of the city include Mirchi ka Saalan, Dum Pukht, keema samosa, Paaya, khatti daal etc.