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Ramoji Film City: Ramoji Film City, owned by entrepreneur-cum-film producer Ramoji Rao, is magnificently built across 2,000 acres of land. The splendid looking place is famous for its film sets something along the lines of Universal Studios. Hawa Mahal, along the lines of the Golconda Fort, is on a hilltop from where you can have a bird’s eye view of the whole place. RFC has carved a niche for itself with its Japanese garden, the ETV planet (a multi-purpose editing suite), a multi-purpose building, a pool and artificial waterfalls. Sets of the airport and the hospital leaves one amazed.
At the Prince Street one can shop for nice handicrafts, pottery and other decorative articles.
Golconda Fort: The Golconda Fort was built by the Kakatiya Kings in 1140 AD. Later it was expanded by the Qutub Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite with walls and ramparts extending to a length of 5km in circumference. This massive fort is 11 km in perimeter and its walls are 15 to 18 ft high. The whole fort is built in granite and is flanked by 70 ramparts and 8 huge gates. Previously the whole fort was surrounded by a deep gorge but slowly this was filled up. While entering from the main gate of the fort, if one claps below the Grand Portico, echoes are heard in a Durbar hall some 128 meters away.
The fortress city within the walls was famous for its diamond trade and is said to have been the origin of the famous Koh-i-noor diamond. The historic fort lies 11kms west of the city of Hyderabad. The name originates from the Telugu words "Golla" meaning Shepherd and "Konda" or hill - The 'shepherd's hill'. The fort was later taken over by the Bahamani kings, subsequently passing into the hands of the Qutub Shahis, who held it from 1512 to 1687 AD. The first three Qutub Shahi kings rebuilt Golconda over a span of 62 years.
Famous features of Golconda include its system of acoustics, palaces, factories, the water supply system. The famous Rahban cannon was used during the last seize of Golconda by Aurangazeb to whom the fort ultimately fell.
Sound and Light Show: The dazzling Sound and Light show at Golconda Fort holds the audiences spellbound. The show has Amitabh Bachan's voice as its voice over, taking audiences down history lane. Events of the bygone era are narrated. The events that unfold reverberate in Bachan’s booming voice and the place on the fort is tastefully illuminated. This colorful spectacle is organized by the AP Tourism Department. The show can be watched in English, Hindi, and Telugu.
Show timings
Winter (Nov-Feb) 6.30 pm
Summer (March-Oct) 7.00 pm
Duration: 55 minutes
English: Wednesday, Sunday
Hindi: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday
Telugu: Thursday,
Closed on Mondays.
Osman Sagar
Osman Sagar is located 20 kms from Hyderabad. This beautiful lake was formed by constructing a dam on the river Musi in the year 1920 by H.E.H Mir Osman Ali Khan, planned by renowned engineer of the time Mokshagundam Visweswarayya for the water supply to Hyderabad city. The catchment area of the lake is 46 sq.km.
It is the main drinking water source for the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The place offers an excellent picnic spot with well-laid gardens. It is popularly known as Gandipet. Andhra Pradesh Tourism has a guesthouse called "Sagar Mahal", which was the summer resort of the then Nizam.
Shamirpet: Shamirpet is a Tourist Complex located 27 kms from Hyderabad in the vicinity of the man made Jawahar Lake. A Deer Park run by the Forest Department in the area is worth visiting. Apart from that, the complex has gardens and is a good picnic spot.
There are cottages and a restaurant inside the complex.
Sanghi Temple: The Sanghi temple atop the hillock Paramanand Giri is located 25 kms from Hyderabad. The 15 feet tall Raja Gopuram of the temple can be seen from afar. A huge Maha Dwaram or gateway welcomes the visitors. Once on top of the hillock, a heavy, beautifully carved door forms the main entrance of the temple complex. The majestic temple complex is built in the Chola-Chalukya style of architecture.
Lord Venkateswara, known, as the giver of piety and plenty is the presiding deity of the complex. The 9 1/2 feet tall idol of the deity is a true replica of the one at Tirumala and resides in the imposing sanctum sanctorum in the center of the complex. To the right of the Balaji temple, stands the abode of Goddess Padmavathi, the consort of Lord Venkateswara. The Vimanam of Padmavathi Temple is 32 feet. Described as the epitome of love, mercy and compassion, the deity here is seated on a lotus and is also holding lotuses in her hand.
There are various other temples dedicated to the Gods and Goddesses. A must see for ardent devotees.
Sightseeing off Hyderabad
Ananthagiri: Located just 64 kms from Hyderabad, Ananthagiri is both a pilgrimage as well as a tiny hill resort. It is the birthplace of river Muchkunda, more popularly known as Musi that flows through Hyderabad.
History has it that 400 years ago, an ancestor of the Nizam of Hyderabad, having heard of the place for its salubrious surroundings, healing breeze and waters and many animals, went there with his men and horses for hunting and healing, for he was suffering from a gunshot wound for long. During his stay, he noticed that the horses were looking well fed. He enquired with his men who confessed that they have been cutting grass from a nearby valley, where it grows over night back to the same height. Next day, he found for himself that what the soldiers had told him was true! He thought that the place was sanctified and asked his men to dig the place. A calcified fossil was found in the area. The same night, Anantapadmanabha (Lord Vishnu) appeared in his dream and asked him to build a temple. The Nawab, who was suffering from a gunshot wound in his leg, prayed to God to relieve him of his pain and he would do god's bidding. Soon, the Nawab's injury healed and he kept his part of the bargain and built a temple and made arrangements for regular worship of the deity. That is the reason why a Hindu temple has a typically Muslim architecture. Located in a dense forest infested by wild animals, the worship discontinued after some years due to its inaccessibility.
Ananthagiri is located within commutable distance from Hyderabad and a one day excursion would be sufficient to enjoy its beauty.
Bhongir Fort: Another one-day excursion 48 kms from Hyderabad. The Bhongir Fort exemplifies marvellous engineering and architectural skills.
Over 500 feet tall, the Bhongir fort is constructed in the shape of an egg on a humongous single rock formation on the hill of Bhongir. In its historical significance it is rated second only to the Warangal fort. Spread over 40 acres of area, the fort was well secured against enemy attack with a huge underground chamber and trap doors and many exits. Layered as it were with many rows of stonewalls, the fortress has a unique formation and was impenetrable. Its high elevation was a great advantage to its rulers to prepare against any threat.
Atop the hill was the majestic palace, a unique combination of the Hindu and Islamic / Saracenic culture with as many sculpted figures as there are arches. The sculptures have circularly designed steps. Providing protection to the royal palace within the fort are four cannons placed on all four sides.
The unique egg shaped fort has two routes of entry - from the north and west. But a high wall on either side with very huge boulders protects both entries. The wall has its origin somewhere deep down the hill. Along the circumference of this fortress are the steps. Sculpture in rock, about 6 feet wide and 10 feet high can be found on either side of the main entrance gateway. To reach this main entrance one has to climb 300 rock cut steps. This entrance is very dilapidated. Even to this day, there are traces of what must have been - the arsenal, the stables and seven ponds. A huge cellar had been built under the main fort palace to protect themselves from the enemy. All around the fort even today one can see the moat with varying depths. A deep well, which was used as a storage tank for supplying water to the royal palace, has a unique arrangement. Water carried by elephants lined up along the way up the hill poured the water into a channel, which would fill the tank. The depth of this tank has never been assessed.
All in all a unique gateway into the past. The fort can be seen as a one day excursion from Hyderabad.
Medak Fort: A twelfth century A.D. architectural marvel the fort is located 100 kms from Hyderabad. Originally built in typical Hindu style during the reign of the Kakatiyas, the later additions and modifications carried out by the Qutub Shahis exhibit Muslim architecture.
The fort has wide ramparts with several natural bastions carved out of the boulders and rocks on the hillock. Fewer steps leading to the top of the fort make the climb comfortable and less strenuous. Other attractions at the fort include a 17th century huge cannon (measuring 3.2 meters long and 7.5 centimeters in thickness with a muzzle diameter of 15 centimeters) with a trident sign etched on it and a mosque, from where a panoramic view of the town can be seen. Although in ruins, the Medak fort still retains its age-old charm, looking strong and majestic. Lush greenery formed into natural lawns along pathways and plain surfaces at the fort offers a cozy spot for picnickers.
Accommodation is available in the town.
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