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Hyderabad was founded in 1591 by Sultan Muhammed Quli Qutub Shah. It has long been a centre of Islamic culture and learning. Built on the banks of the river Musi, and surrounded by huge prehistoric rock formations, the city gives travellers fascinating glimpses of past splendours and new age India. Hyderabad is one of the fast developing cities in the country and a hub of Information and bio-technology. Hyderabad is also known as The City of Nizams after the title of last seven rulers of the region. The rule of the Nizams saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically. The state of Nizams was richest and the largest among the princely states of India. Hyderabad is also known for its distinct cuisine, a blend of Mughal and Persian cuisine.
Visit the Public Gardens which enclose the State Legislature and the Archaeological Museum and the vast personal collection of the Nizam’s prime minister at Salarjung Museum (closed on Fridays) and Zoological Park on Mondays). In the old city see Mecca Masjid whose central arch is said to have been made out of the bricks from Mecca. Visit Charminar, the major landmark of the city of Hyderabad. This granite minar built in 16th century has four graceful minarets enclosed by a square arcade and stands160 feet high.
Drive past the Falaknuma Palace, now a hotel built completely in Italian marble. The palace’s architecture combines Louis XIV-style decor, a lavish Mughal ambience and ornate fountains.
Also visit the wonderfully restored Chowmahalla Palace where the Nizam entertained his official guests and royal visitors. Initiated in 1750 and designed along the lines of the Iranian Shah's palace in Isfahan, the Chowmahalla consists of a group of palaces.
Amaravati was an important Buddhist site in antiquity where the largest stupa in the Indian subcontinent was built in the 3rd century B.C. It was one of the four important places of Buddhist worship in India. Built of kiln-burnt bricks and faced with marble slabs, the Maha stupa or the big stupa was richly adorned with carved relief’s portraying scenes from the life of Buddha. These reliefs ran in a continuous sequence along the gateway and the on the railing that encircles the stupa. Somewhere in history, the stupa was destroyed. Amravati site museum has a small replica of the stupa and the relics that were preserved in the stupa. Amravati stupa sculptures are displayed in the British Museum, London and the Government Museum, Chennai.
Golconda - The city of Golconda, 11 kilometers west of Hyderabad was home to one of the most powerful Muslim sultanates and centre of a flourishing diamond trade. In the 16th century, Golconda was the capital city of the Qutb Shahi kingdom. The fortress and the city are built on a granite hill that is 400ft high and surrounded by massive crenellated ramparts. The famous fort of Golconda has passed through many hands. It rose to prominence in early 16th century after the Qutub Shahi dynasty took control of the region and expanded the earlier fort into massive granite construction. Noteworthy features of Golconda Fort include its system of acoustics and a water supply system. Closed on Mondays
Lepakshi The temple town of Lepakshi, literally meaning ‘Get-up, Bird’ is guarded by the largest monolithic Nandi Bull in India. This 9 meter long Nandi welcomes you to the town where the main attraction is the Veerbhadra Temple. At the temple is the Nagalingam: a black granite lingam (worshipped as Hindu God Shiva’s phallus) crowned with a spectacular seven-headed cobra. The glory of the temple is its beautiful frescoes on the ceiling of the Natya mandapa or the dancing hall.
Nagarjunakonda named after a Buddhist saint is a historical Buddhist town that dates to the third century. The town of Nagarjunkonda was once the location of many Buddhist universities and monasteries. The present site of Nagarjunakonda is a result of salvage archaeology where a team of archaeologists saved the historic town from submerging in the dam. The Nagarjunasagar Dam is the tallest masonry dam in the world. The excavated remains of the Buddhist civilisation were reconstructed and preserved at a museum on an island situated in the midst of the man-made Nagarjunasagar Lake. The site of Nagarjunakonda also has a 14th-century fort, medieval temples. The site museum in its collection possesses a small tooth and an ear-ring believed to be that of Buddha. The main stupa of Nagarjunakonda named Mahachaitya is also believed to contain the sacred relics of the Buddha. A partly ruined monolithic statue of the Buddha is the main attraction at the museum. Museum is closed on Fridays - 9 A.M to 4 P.M
Tirupati -In the extreme south of Andhra Pradesh lies the temple town of Tirupati, the abode of the “Lord of the Seven Hills” and home to one of the richest temples in southern India. Its Tirumalai Hill Temple is picturesquely situated amid sacred waterfalls and tanks, and beyond it lies fine mountain scenery. This shrine is an “essential” pilgrimage for Hindus. Several gopurams (monumental gates) are visible from below during the ascent. The temple stands on a 2,500 ft. peak on a range and is surrounded by mango and sandal trees. In front of it is the Hall of Pillars, from where an attractive stepped way leads to the temple gate. Foreign visitors are allowed to see the temple from the outside. Non-Hindus are not allowed to see elaborate rituals inside the temple.
Warangal was the capital of a Hindu kingdom ruled by the Kakatiya dynasty from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The entire city is believed to have been carved in a single rock. The city of Warangal has developed and shaped under the political and historical influences of various dynasties that ruled it. Warangal is also noted for its beautiful lakes, splendid temples and wildlife. The city also finds mention by Marco Polo in his travel diaries. Visit the 12th century “Thousand Pillar Temple”, one of the finest examples of medieval architecture and sculpture. The temple is shaped like a star and has three shrines dedicated to Lords Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple has a majestic monolithic Nandi. Visit Warangal Fort that was destroyed in serious battles and presently lies in ruins. The fort had three layers of protection, remnants of which can still be seen today. Also visit Ramappa Temple that dates to 13th century.