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Golconda Fort:
Golconda is one of the famous forts of
India. The name originates from the Telugu words
“Golla Konda” meaning “Shepherd’s Hill”. The origins
of the fort can be traced back to the Yadava dynasty
of Deogiri and the Kakatiyas of Warangal. Golconda
was originally a mud fort, which passed to the Bahmani
dynasty and later to the Qutb Shahis, who held it
from 1518 to 1687 A.D. The first three Qutb Shahi
kings rebuilt Golconda, over a span of 62 years.
The fort is famous for its acoustics, palaces, ingenious
water supply system and the famous Fateh Rahben
gun, one of the cannons used in the last siege of
Golconda by Aurangzeb, to whom the fort ultimately
fell.
Sound & Light Show at Golconda Fort
The glorious past of Golconda Fort is narrated
effectively with matchless Sound and Light effects.
The unique Sound & Light Show takes you right
back in time, when Golconda was full of life, glory
and grandeur.
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Qutb Shahi Tombs:
The tombs of the legendary Qutb Shahi kings
lie about a kilometre away from Banjara Darwaza
of the Golconda Fort. Planned and built by the Qutb
Shahis themselves, these tombs are said to be the
oldest historical monuments in Hyderabad. They form
a large group and stand on a raised platform. The
tombs are built in Persian, Pathan and Hindu architectural
styles using grey granite, with stucco ornamentation,
the only one of its kind in the world where an entire
dynasty has been buried at one place.
Click
here to see the virtual tour of Qutb Shahi Tombs
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Mecca Masjid:
A two hundred yards southwest of the
Charminar is the Mecca Masjid, so named because
the bricks were brought from Mecca to build the
central arch. The Qutb Shahis never finished the
building of the mosque, which was completed by Aurangzeb
in 1694. Mecca Masjid is poetry in stone, with a
hall measuring 67m and soaring to a height of 54m.
Fifteen graceful arches - five to each of the three
sides, support the roof. Towards the southern end
of the mosque lie the marble graves of members of
the Asaf Jahi dynasty.
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Legislative Assembly:
Built in 1913, the building was originally the Hyderabad
Town hall. The architecture is a synthesis of Rajasthani
and Persian styles, with an all white, aesthetic look.
Located adjoining the picturesque Public Gardens, a
massive statue of Mahatma Gandhi in a sitting posture
is erected at the entrance park to the Assembly.
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Osmania University:
Established in 1918, it is one of the oldest universities
in India. Named after Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan,
the university buildings are splendid, especially
the Arts College, which is a perfect example of
Indo-Saracenic architecture.
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Birla Mandir:
This white marble temple of Lord Venkateshwara
floats on the city skyline, on Kala Pahad. The idol
in the temple is a replica of the one at Tirupati.
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Salar Jung Museum:
This museum houses one of the biggest
one-man collections of antiques of the world by
Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III. The objects
d’art include Persian carpets, Moghal miniatures,
Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquerware, famous
statues including the Veiled Rebecca and Marguerite
and Mephistopheles, a superb collection of jade,
daggers belonging to Queen Noor Jahan and the Emperors
Jahangir and Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb’s sword and many
other fabulous items.
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Andhra Pradesh State Archaeological
Museum:
A visit to the Andhra Pradesh State Archaeological
Museum is a delight for art lovers. Located in the
picturesque Public Gardens, the museum boasts of
one of the richest repositories of antiques and
art objects in the country. Built in 1920 by the
Nizam VII, the museum building itself is a fine
example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. The museum
contains a Buddhist gallery, Brahmanical & Jain
gallery, Bronze gallery, Arms & Armour gallery,
Numismatics gallery, Ajanta gallery and more. Adjacent
to the State Museum is the Contemporary Art Museum.
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The Nizam‘s Silver Jubilee
Museum:
The stately Purani Haveli, the palace acquired around
the year 1750 by the second Nizam, is now converted
into a museum with a fascinating collection. The
museum exhibits the gifts and mementos presented
to the last Nizam on the occasion of the silver
jubilee celebrations in 1937. A 1930 Rolls Royce,
Packard and a Mark V Jaguar are among the vintage
cars displayed. There is an interesting collection
of models made in silver of all the prominent buildings
of the city and citations in Urdu about H.E.H. Mir
Osman Ali Khan, gold burnished wooden throne used
for the silver jubilee celebrations, gold tiffin
box inlaid with diamonds, and a gold model of Jubilee
Pavilion.
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Birla Planetarium/Birla
Science Museum:
Birla Planetarium is India’s most modern
planetarium and first of its kind in the country.
It is equipped with advanced technology from Japan
and is built on Naubat Pahad adjacent to Kala Pahad.
And the Science Museum stands tribute to the advancement
achieved by Science and Technology.
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Chow Mohalla Complex:
Built in several phases by the Nizams between 1857-1869,
this is now one of the heritage buildings. The complex
comprises four palaces in Moghal and European styles,
of which the main palace is double storeyed with
the others being single-storeyed blocks.
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Nehru Zoological Park:
Spanning 300 lush green acres, the Nehru
Zoological Park is a must for nature lovers. It
has over 250 species of animals and birds, most
of which are kept in conditions as close to their
natural habitats as possible. This is the first
zoo to create moated enclosures for animals. The
Lion Safari Park, Natural History Museum and Children’s
Train are the added attractions. APTDC runs an ice-cream
parlour and restaurant here.
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Shilparamam - The Arts
& Crafts village:
Another attraction at Madhapur beyond Jubilee
Hills in Hyderabad is the 30-acre village, which
showcases arts and crafts of the country. India
is an ocean of various arts and crafts but the talent
of most of the artisans and artists goes unrecognized.
To encourage them and give the necessary boost to
their art, the crafts village hosts annual bazaars,
where artists and artisans from all over the country
exhibit their talent.
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Public Gardens
Hyderabad has several beautiful gardens,
one of the most popular being the Public Gardens,
which also encloses the State Legislature, State
Archaeological Museum, Jubilee Hall, Jawahar Bal
Bhavan and Telugu Lalita Kala Thoranam, an open-air
theatre.
Boating: AP Tourism operates pedal boats
in Public Gardens pond.
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Ramoji
Film City:
A dream world created for the celluloid on a sprawling
1000 acres, with every imaginable set and location,
Ramoji Film City on the outskirts of Hyderabad offers
facilities to produce any kind of movie. Apart from
sets, there are hotels where artistes and technicians
can stay. Visitors too can go round in conducted
tours that the management organises.
Click
here to see the virtual tour of Ramoji Film City
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Hitec City:
One of the modern monuments of trade and technology,
it embodies the newfound attitude of Hyderabad and
today finds a place of pride. Situated on the outskirts
of the city, it is the nucleus of Cyberabad, the
IT destination in this part of the world. Cyber
Towers is the main building here.
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Lumbini
Park:
This beautiful entertainment park is situated on
the shore of Hussainsagar lake. The landscaping
here is a visual treat. A musically synchronized
water fountain and a floral clock are major attractions
here. Lumbini Park jetty is a major point for pleasure
boating of AP Tourism.
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Hyderabad Botanical Gardens:
The
first Botanical Gardens in Andhra Pradesh, spread
over 120 acres. Already open to public is the first
phase, with the completion of some sections. The
sections include medicinal plants, timber trees,
fruit trees, ornamental plants, aquatic plants and
bamboos. The Park has been designed to have large
water bodies, rolling meadows, natural forests,
rich grasslands and exquisite rock formations.
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Hussainsagar Lake:
Excavated in 1562 A.D. by Hussain Shah Wali
during the time of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah, the lake
has a promenade that is a busy thoroughfare today.
Boating and water sports are a regular feature in
the Hussainsagar. One of the World’s tallest monolithic
statues of the Buddha stands on the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’,
in the middle of the lake.
Added to all these, AP Tourism has additional boating
facilities like speed boats, motor boats, 48 seater
launch etc. Starlit dinner on-board and private
parties also can be arranged on the Launch.
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Osmansagar Lake:
Osmansagar, better known as Gandipet, on the
outskirts of Hyderabad is an excellent picnic spot.
Osmansagar is one of the two lakes on the city’s
periphery that supplies drinking water to the great
metropolis. The lake is a reservoir created by a
dam across the Isa, a tributary of the River Musi.
Abutting the lake and the bund are lush gardens
that provide the ideal ambience for an outing. Overlooking
the lake is the heritage building, Sagar Mahal,
built as a resort by the Nizam of Hyderabad and
converted now into a lake resort managed by AP Tourism.
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Shamirpet:
Located 24 km to the north of Secunderabad,
Shamirpet has a beautiful lake and a deer park.
Its peaceful environs make it a great picnic spot.
AP Tourism offers comfortable cottage facilities
for accommodation, while the forest
lodges can be booked with the AP Forest Department
office at Saifabad.
Tourist Cottages.
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Mir Alam Tank:
Mir Alam Tank is a large lake adjacent to Nehru
Zoological Park. AP Tourism operates boats on the
lake, for which one has to enter through the Zoo.
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Secret Lake (Durgam Cheruvu):
The ‘Secret Lake’ is situated close to Shilparamam
Crafts Village and Hitec City, behind Jubilee Hills.
AP Tourism organizes boating in the lake. ‘Something
Fishy’, a bar Secret Lake (Durgam Cheruvu)
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KBR National Park:
One of the largest parks within the city KBR National
Park is a Southern tropical deciduous forest and
the last vestigial representative of the endemic
flora of Hyderabad region, with over 100 species
of birds, 20 species of reptiles and 15 species
of butterflies.
Mrugavani National Park
(Chilkur):
Located 25 km. from Hyderabad, the park contains
the endemic flora of Hyderabad and is an urban refuge
for small mammals like wildboar, jungle cat etc.
and birds.
Mahavir Harina Vanasthali
National Park:
Located 15 Km. from Hyderabad, the park has more
than 350 black bucks, 400 cheetals and a number
of wild boars, small mammals, reptiles and over
100 species of
birds.
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Resorts
& Theme Parks
Ocean Park:
Ocean Park is located at Gandipet, 15
km from Hyderabad, in 20 acres of landscaped gardens.
It provides a number of amusement rides, water rides
and
is equipped with facilities like multi-cuisine restaurant.
Snow
World:
It is the World’s biggest and India’s
1st Snow Theme Park. The visitors can chill out
at minus 5°C and go merry with SNOW and have a SNOW-FILLED
fun holiday. The Snw Park has achieved yet another
milestone by introducing Snow Fall, this is the
first of its kind of Snow Fall introduced by any
Snow Theme Park or Snow Dome anywhere in the world.
Slide and skate on ice and throw snowballs at each
other, Enjoy India’s first snow park.
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Treasure Island:
A picturesque holiday spot, the Treasure Island,
located on 60 acres of landscape at Gandipet, offers
a variety of leisure and fun oriented activities
- horse riding, billiards, disco, go-karting, swimming
pool and so on. Night stay
facilities are available for Members
Dhola-ri-Dhani:
This is a typical setting recreated with
the entire rustic ambience and charm of an ethnic
Rajasthani village, situated at Kompally on Medchal
Road. Camel rides, puppet shows, folk dances and
authentic Rajasthani cuisine give you the taste
of the desert State. A large swimming pool, a lake
to go boating, an amphitheatre for plays and entertainment
programmes add to the ambience. Conferencing and
night stay facilities available.
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Pragati Green Meadows &
Resorts:
Spread over 26 acres and an hour’s drive from Hyderabad,
Pragati Resorts offers facilities like swimming,
boating, children’s park, coffee and snack bar,
restaurant, conference hall, uniquely designed cottages
for overnight stay. Pragati Sparsh, part of Pragati
Resorts, set in the sylvan surroundings, offers
a complete range of Ayurvedic Treatment and medicines
in association with Santigiri Ashram of Kerala and
in coordination with the Department of Tourism.
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Dream Valley Resorts:
Nestled amidst lush green environs and located at
Gandipet, Dream Valley Resorts is a water theme
park with waterslide, cascading waterfalls, water
squirts, a 9-hole golf course and go-karting track.
Aalankrita-the Ethnic Gateway:
Spread over an area of 10 acres, Aalankrita blends
the convenience of a 5-star resort, the ambience
of a heritage Aalankrita - the ethnic gateway site
and the ethnicity of the times gone by. Located
about 16 km from Secunderabad, the facilities here
include an air-conditioned conference hall, Well-side
Restaurant, a pyramid shaped Meditation Centre,
a covered swimming pool for day and night use, a
sunken dancing floor, air-conditioned cottages,
an antique shop, exhibition hall, walkways and a
sprawling open air theatre that can accommodate
about 3000 people.
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Mount opera
It is a huge
multi-theme' park. Far from the hustle
and bustle of the busy city, this amusement part
that offers a variety of entertainment and leisure
activities for the entire family. Built on a 50-acre
plot, the park has special packages for corporates
and non-resident Indians.
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