Hyderabad is one of the largest city in southern india . It was established by sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb shah in the year 1591 . This city was famous for it’s diamond for centuries and the famous Kohinoor diamond was mined from here . For that reason this place was inhabited for centuries and ruled by different dynasty king like chalukya (7 th to 11 th century ) , kakatiya (12 – 13 century) , Bahamani kingdom (14th – 16 th century) , Qutb shahi dynasty (16 th – 1 7 th century) , NIzams(18 th century – independence) . Muslim rulers , specially the sultans from the Qutb shahi dynasty and the Nizams made lots of Mosques and prominent historical buildings . So there is lots of places to visit near hyderabad within 50 kms .
Some of the famous places to visit near hyderabad are Charminar , Chowmahalla Palace , Faluknama Palace , Golconda Fort , Qutb shahi tombs , Macca Masjid , maula ali dargah , Birla temple , St george’s church and st joseph church , Nizam’s Museum , Salar jung museum , telengana state archiological park , hussain sagar , osman sagar , Himayat sagar , Statue of Equality , Ambedkar statue , Lumbini Park , NTR Gardens , Ramoji Film City and many more . It is a bit long list and many more are coming in the city . The city is famous for it’s Hyderabadi Biriyani .
Char minar :
Charminar is a four pillered building , build for the respect toward almighty allah to protect the city of Hyderabad from plague pandamic in the sixteenth century .Sultan of Golconda Mahammad quli qutb shah of Qutb Shah dynasty build this magnificent building in the year 1591 . This is a historical monument and also a Mosque .
Previously people can climb to the top floor of this building but after a accident it was closed to go in the upper floor .
Macca Masjid :
Macca Masjid is the biggest masjid in the hyderabad city and was commissioned by Muhammad quli qutb shah in 1617 and completed by Aurangzeb in 1694 . In this mosque on one time 10000 people can pray .
It is belived that Mahammad quli qutb shah put the first brick of this building , made from the holy soils of Macca . For that reason this mosque is named so . The arch gate of this mosque is a monolithic structure . That is one of the wonders of this mosque .
This mosque is opened from 4 am to 9 : 30 pm everyday and free for everybody .
Moula Ali Darga :
Moula Ali Darga is a shia Muslim religious spot which was build in the respect of Ali (Son – in Law of Muhammad) in a hill top in Hyderabad . This dargah was build in 1578 by the sultans of the Qutuab sahi dynasty and there is a hand mark of ali .
People feel that the mark of the hand has a healing power and lots of pilgrims come here to fulfill their wish .
Entry to this darga is free and opened from 9 am to 8:30 pm .
St George’s Church :
St Joseph Cathedral is one of the oldest church in Hyderabad build in the year 1875. It is a beautiful European style white building .
It is opened daily from the 6 am to 6 pm but entry is restricted for outsider . May be on sunday they allow everybody .
St Joseph Cathedral :
This is one of the oldest church in southern India . It was established in the year 1802 by Fr Anthony for the 1600 staff of the British East India Company .
The main building was completed in the year 1872 and the tower was completed in the year 1891 . The bell you can see , were installed in the year 1892 .
Birla Mandir :
This one of the famous temple in hyderabad with white marbel by the birla group in the year 1976 on a hill top . The main deity of this temple is vishnu and there is lots of other gods as well .
Specially the night view of the city from this temple is wonderful . Birds eye view of Telengana Sectery building , hussain sagar lake , buddha statue and Lumbini Park is very nice .
There is no entry fees to this temple but you can not take camera and mobile phone inside this temple . So can not take picture of the art around this temple .
Ambedkar statue :
This is going to be a new attraction of the Hyderabad city . This 125 feet statue is situated just beside the NTR gardens , facing the Hussain Sagar . This statue is unveiled by Telengana CM K Chandrashekar Rao on the 132th Birth Anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar .
This statue is made of bronze . This statue is almost finished but still not opened for the general public.
Statue of Equality :
This is a statue of the 11 th century indian philosopher Ramanuja in the outskirt of the Hyderabad city . This statue was build to celebrate 1000 th birth day of Ramanujacharya . He was a saint believing in social equality among the people .
This statue is the 2nd tallest sitting statue in the world and was build by the five metal alloy of gold , silver , copper , brass and zinc ,
The temple is opened from 11 am to 8 pm and closed on wednesday . Entry fees for this temple is 200 INR .
Lumbini Park :
Lummbini park is a entertainment park in the bank of the Hussain sagar Lake . This park was build by HUDA in the year 1994 .
There is some children activities rides , 3D shows and the Laser Shows . People come here mainly to visit the big buddha statue situated in the middle of this Lake . People also come here to relax and enjoy the evening .
It is opened from the 9 am to 9 pm in everyday and entry ticket is 20 INR . Normal boating toward the buddha statue is 50 INR per head and 350 for four person in a speed boat .
Qutb Shahi Tombs :
This is one of the fascinating place to visit in the Hyderabad city and most historical place near to the Golconda Fort . This place has been inscribed in the tentative list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site . This park has graveyard , Shahi Hammam , stepped well and many more .
Shahi Hammam is really something you should don’t miss . As this ham mam had hot and cold water facility . This was build by the irani technology .
This graveyard has been opened from 9:30 am to 6 :30 pm everyday in week . Entry fees is 10 INR for Indian adult .
Salar Jung Museum :
This museum was mostly the personal collection of the Nizam Salar jung III . In 1951 most of the materials were bring in this building and formed a museum .
You can see art pieces from all over the world , paintings , sculpture , different coins , weapons , jewellery , royal dresses , printed books and manuscripts . It has 38 galleries of collected items from the far west europe to eastern Japan . The museum is one of the must visit place in the city of Hyderabad .
Opening time of the Museum is between 10 am to 5 pm except Friday . Friday is totally closed . Entry fees of the Museum is 50 INR per adult .
The Nizam’s Museum :
This museum has the collection of the items received by the Last Nizam Osman Ali Khan in his silver jubilee celebration . This museum is opened on 18 th februry 2000 for the general public .
This museum is full of the items of Gold and Silver and Diamond . The golden throne of the Osman ali khan was really impressive . The collection includes Golden Tiffin Box , Golden dagger stucked with diamond and other precious metal , silver perfume container , golden cups , plate and a golden mason’s trowel used to lay the founding stone of Osmania university .
This museum is opened from 10 am to 5 pm except friday . Entry fees for this museum is 125 INR per adult . For taking picture you need another Ticket .
Telengana state archiological Museum :
This is a govt museum and it was established in the year 1940 . A mound was found under earth and the items found there were put inside the museum.
In this museum there is a mummy and lots of artefacts of Hindu , Jain and Buddhist . The beautiful dancing Nataraja was one example .
This museum is opened from 10 : 30 am to 5 : 30 pm except Friday . Entry fees is 10 INR for adult .
Chowmahalla Palace :
‘Chow’ means four and there is four palaces inside this complex . This palace has been the private residence of the sultans of the Qutb Shahi Dynasty and the Nizams . Building of this palaces started in the year 1769 by Nizam ali khan Asaf Jah .
Inside this front building lots of oil paintings were saved . The chandelier from the top is really impressive . There was lots of royal elements like cutlery , dresses and the furniture which are impressive art shows .
This palace has been opened from 10 am to 5 pm except Friday . Entry fees to this palace is 50 INR per adult .
Falaknuma Palace :
This is one of the biggest palace in the world and now a days famous Taj Hotel . It is situated in a hillock and build in the year 1893 . In 1893 the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad buy it from british and made Guest House for the royal visitors .
You can not travel normally like other palaces in Hyderabad . You have to book a lunch or a dinner in this Hotel then you can visit this palace . Which is almost impossible for a budget traveler to visit this palace
Golconda Fort :
Golconda fort is the oldest places to visit near hyderabad and symbol of power for centuries . It has been first established in 11 th century by the Kakatiya dynasty (they build the world famous Ramappa temple ) later it was transferred to Bahamani Dynasty and further to Qutb shahi dynasty . This fort has been the capital of this region until 1501 .
It is a fort situated in the Hill top gradually upper from the ground . It has a totally fortified fort and inside there is a cantonment . It ibis difficult andto climb to the top but the view from the top is really impressive .
This fort has been opened from monday to sunday from 9 am – 5:30 pm . Entry fees to this fort is 25 inr for Indian National
Hossain sagar :
Hussain Sagar is a man made lake situated in the Heart of the city where the big Buddha statue was positioned . It was established by sultan Quli Qutb shah in the year 1563 . The Lake reserviour has been filled by the Musi river . It was the main source of water before the Himayat Sagar and the Osman Sagar .
Himayat sagar :
It is a artificial lake build in the year 1927 and it’s reserviour has been filled by the Musi river’s water . This lake was build to supply fresh water to the Hyderabad city and also for the flood control .
This lake has been build by the 7 th Nizam and by the name of his son Himayat Ali the lake was named Himayat Sagar .
Osman sagar :
Osman sagar is also a artificial lake which was build by making Dam on the Musi river . It was named by the name of last Nizam Osman ali khan .This places is also to visit near by hyderabad .
This lake was made to protect the city of Hyderabad from flooding and to supply the drinking water to Hyderabad . In winter time lots of foreign birds come in this place .
Silparamam
Silpagram is a initiative by the state govt to represent the tribal life of the Telengana and also the market of the Handicrafts for those tribal people .
There is some idols which represents the lifestyle of this people but the handicraft items sold here are not only limited to this place but everywhere of India . The burned clay pots are most authentic to this place .
This place have been opened from 10 : 30 am to 8 pm all days . Entry fees to this place is 60 INR for Indian Adult .
Inorbit Mall :
In Orbit Mall is one of the oldest and biggest shopping mall inside Hyderabad City . It is situated in the Hi Tech City (It is the IT park of Hyderabad ) . It has variety of brand inside the Mall .
This place have been opened all days from 10 am to 10 pm .
Mozzam jahi Market :
This market has been build by the Nizam Osman Ali Khan in the year 1933- 1935 . This is situated in the heart of the city . This market is mostly famous among the tourist . This is one of the earliest shopping mall in India . Now there are lots of food stalls and Handicraft shops .
This market has been opened from 8 am to 10 :30 pm in every day of the week .
places to eat in hyderabad :
Hyderabad is famous for it’s islamic architicture but it is also famous for it’s food . Hyderabadi Biriyani is world famous . You can also taste Irani tea , Hyderabadi naan , Osmania Biscuit , dry fruit cake , Halim and many more . You can taste Hyderabadi Biriyani in Babarchi Hotel , Paradise Biriyani shop or in Hotel Shadab . This are the famous Biriyani shops . Second Irani tea in Nimrah Cafe near Charminar and Osmania Biscuit in Karachi Bakery are famous in Hyderabad . You can taste Hyderabadi naan near to the Golconda Fort or in the old Hyderabad near Charminar . This bread are soft and having a unique shape . People take it with the curry or tea .
Summary :
Hyderabad is full of places to visit . One way it has the modern sites like Ramoji Film City , inorbit mall , Ambedkar Statue , statue of Equality and Lumbini Garden on the other hand it has ancient sites Golconda Fort , Tombs of Qutb Shahi Dynasty and Charminar . The city has lots of museum like Salar Jn Museum , Nizam Museum and telengana state Museum . In this city there are some biggest man made artificial Lake like Hussain Sagar , Osman Sagar and Himayat Sagar . The Last Nizam of Hyderabad Osman ali khan was recognised as the richest man in the world by TIME magazine in 1937 for his diamond business .
