Historical Places in Hyderabad 2

Hussain Sagar

Hussain Sagar is a lake in Hyderabad, built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali. It was built on a tributary of the Musi river to meet the water and irrigation needs of Hyderabad, India.It is now popularly known as Tank Bund, and has become a tourist destination as well as a local attraction. Once the source of drinking water for the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the Hussain Sagar lake's current condition is far from desirable. Since the 1980s and 1990s the immersion of Ganesh idols during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi has led to the further pollution of the lake. Currently there are numerous environmentalist groups and government agencies that are trying to improve the condition of the lake. Main attractions An 18- meter- high statue of the Buddha is located on the Gibraltar rock in the center of the lake. The statue, which took 200 sculptors and 2 years to complete, was erected in 1992. Boat rides are provided by the tourism department. On one side of the Hussain Sagar lake is the Necklace Road, which indeed twinkles like a necklace. On the other side is the Tank Bund, that narrates the history of Andhra Pradesh in granite through the imposing statues of men and women, who have done their motherland proud. Dotting the lake on all sides are parks shimmering with greenery and bustling with life under the glitter and glory of city lights.

Salarjung Museum

The Salar Jung Museum is an art museum on the southern bank of the Musi river in the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. The museum opened to the public on December 16, 1951; it houses the collection of the Salar Jung family, who were important nobles in the courts of the Nizams , Muslim rulers of Hyderabad. The collection of Islamic art from all over Asia includes a variety of illuminated Korans,astrolabes, jewelled swords and daggers, and Persian carpets The museum also houses fine examples of European painting and sculpture, most famously the "Veiled Rebecca" of Italian sculptor Giovanni Maria Benzoni, as well as Chinese and Japanese pieces. The collection was mostly acquired by Mir Yousuf Ali Khan, also known as Salar Jung III. Some of the items he inherited were collected by his father, Nawab Mir Laiq Khan (Salar Jung II) and his grandfather, Nawab Mir Turab Ali Khan (Sir Salar Jung I). Situated on the southern bank of the river Musi ,the Salar Jung Museum is not far from the other important monuments of the old city. The historic Charminar, Juma Masjid, High Court, State Central Library and the Osmania General Hospital are all within a radius of one mile from the Salar Jung Museum. The museum houses the largest and greatest collection of antiques and artifacts by a single person, Nawab Salar Jung III, Prime Minister of the court of Nizam. From minia- tures of Mewar to modern art of Europe; from the daggers of Nur Jehan and Emperor Jahangir the museum houses priceless gems of art A place that will leave you dazed with the dazzle of time-less art. There are 38 galleries in the Museum spread on two floors. The ground floor has 20 galleries, and the first floor has 18 galleries. Even then, the total exhibited art objects constitute a little over 25% of the entire collection. The Indian Parliament has declared the museum an Institution of National Importance.

Falaknuma Palace

The Falaknuma palace is a remarkable edifice which stands atop a 2000 feet high hillock. It is located 5kms from Charminar Built by NawabVikar - Ul - Ulmara,the Prime Minister of Hyderabad, it is a stupendous palace and connotes the "heavenly abode". This exquisite palace made of Italian marble was built by one of the Paigah nobles Nawab Vicar Ul Umra in 1892.A majesty testimony to the glory of the Nizams, it stands atop a hill 2000 feet high. It has often been referred to as the 'Mirror of the Sky'. The palace was designed by a Italian architect and follows a western architectural style. Falaknuma houses a large collection of rare treasures collected by the Nizam including paintings, statues, furniture, manuscripts and books. The Jade collection of the Palace is considered to be unique in the world. The palace is laid out in the shape of a scorpion with two stings spread out as wings on the north. The middle part is occupied by the main building and the kitchen and harem quarters stretch to the south. The Falaknuma palace is a rare blend of Italian and Tudor architecture. Its glass stained windows throw a spectrum of colors into the rooms. The palace has a library with a walnut carved roof, a replica of the one at Windsor Castle. The library had one of the finest collections of the holy Quran in India. The Falaknuma palace has other unique things to its credit. It includes the largest Venetian chandeliers. It is said that it took six months to clean a 138-arm Osler chandelier and the palace has 40 such chandeliers adorning the halls ! The famed dining hall of the palace could seat 100 guests on a single table. The furniture is also very aesthetic. The chairs are carved rosewood with green leather upholstery. The tableware was made of gold and crystal to which fluted music was added.

Chilkur Balaji Temple

The Balaji Temple is located at Chilkur in R R district. It is 33Kms away from Mehedipatnam. Approximately 75,000 to 1,00,000 devotees visit in a week. Generally temple gets heavy rush on Fridays and Sundays. Sri Balaji Venkateshwara, the Pratyaksha Daiva in kaliyuga, is available at Chilkoor to shower blessings on His devotees who for any reason are unable to go to Tirupati. Many devout worshippers flock to the Chjilkur Balaji Temple, to receive the blessings of the Lord and his consorts throughout the year particularly during the Poolangi, Annakota and Brahmothsavams Back to Page-1