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Hussain Sagar

This lake, around which the city is spread, marks the gratitude of Qutub Shahi King  Ibrahim Quli  Qutub Shah to  Hussain  Shah Wali who helped him to  recover from his illness, The  lake is Christened  after him . The 17th century Hussain Sagar divides Secunderabad from Hyderabad.Boating is a pleasureble passtime here. The 350  tonn monolith statue of Buddha installed here on the Rock of Gibraltar, is an interesting tourist spot.

Hussain Sagar bridges not only culturally disparate Hyderabad and Secunderabad, known as twin cities all over the country, but constitutes a continuum between history and contemporainty. It was a quiet and placid lake of 24 kilometres built by Hazrat Husain Shah Wali on a tributary of the Musi during the time of that great builder Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah in 1562 to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city. This was much before the historic Charminar overshadowed every other landmark in the city. It is now popularly known as Tank Bund, a truncated version of its original expanse, and has acquired trappings and environs that enhance its appeal to tourists as well as the denizens of the twin cities.

The simple bund that at one time connected the British and Nizam areas of the two cities is today a complex of parks, temples, statuary, sites of entertainment and the capital’s administrative hub, enriching and at the same time ecologically damaging the environs of the shrunken tank. The aesthetically built Secretariat buildings, the NTR memorial, the Lumbini park, the Hyderabad Boat Club, a flyover nearing completion add to the attraction of the southern side of the Tank Bund, while the Secunderabad Sailing Club, the Sanjeeviah Park and the Hazrat Saidani Ma Saheba tomb on the northern side enhance its allure for the tourist. Parallel to the tank bund is what is now known as the lower Tank Bund road, which, though built to reduce traffic congestion, has now become the axis of print media activity.

Hussain Sagar is not only a link between culturally different Hyderabad and Secunderabad, known as twin cities all over the country, but its a showcase of hyderabad, historically and contemporarily. This lake was built by Husain Shah Wali, hence the name, during the time of that great builder Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah in the 1500s to meet the water needs of the city. This is i belivee was before the historic Charminar, which overshadows every other landmark in the city. It is now popularly known as Tank Bund, it appeals to tourists as well as the residents of the twin cities. Now the city has many spots to while away ur time but tank bund still offers an affordable way of relaxing.

The tank bund has parks, statues, sites of entertainment and the capital’s administrative hub, some of it ecologically damaging the shrunken lake. We residents read in the papers daily about the damage being caused to the the lake by commercial activity round it. Hope the govt does something worthhile on this

It also has NTR memorial, the Lumbini park, the Hyderabad Boat Club, a flyover nearing completion since a long time on one side of tank Bund, while the Secunderabad Sailing Club, Sanjeeviah Park and the recently resstored Hazrat Saidani Ma Saheba tomb, which we didnt know existed, are on the secunderabad side of the lake are appealing for the tourist. But the centre of attraction literally is the Buddha statue in the middle of the ancient lake.

The lake, its size and purity are threatened by the immersion of Ganesha idols every year and industrial waste, not to mention encroachments by politicians. Yet Hussain Sagar is the most popular spot and very scenic. On tank bund u have wrought iron benches for romance-prone couples to forget time and the world. With huge number of statues of intellectuals. The Necklace Road and the Tank Bund are places to see at night as a relaxing way of spending time in hyderabad which does not have a wild night life.

Tank bund has been a place to have fun n relax n keep healthy for me for a long time. earlier as a kid we used to go there with my parents, my dad had an Enfield bike, where they used to sell kebabs, umm. or maybe icecream in summers. When we were growing up tank bund was used to learn driving or jus freaking out at high speeds at night on the bike. And now i regularly go there every morning for jogging, since my ingenious Chief minister has built an excellent jogging track for me.

Buddha Statue :16 mtr. tall, 350 tonne (approx.) monolithic Buddha statue is situated in the middle of the Hussain Sagar Lake, silhouetted against the sunset. Totally, it is made of white granite, the largest statues in all over the world.

Water Sports :Boating and Water Sports are a regular feature at Hussain Sagar. The yachting and Sailing clubs at the lake are active and the annual regatta draws a good number of sports persons and lay people alike from all around the country. During the regatta competitions, the lake looks picturesque and colourful with the yachts sailing on the shimmering waters.

Added to all these, AP tourism is providing new and better facilities like speed boats, motor boats, 48 seater Launch etc.Starlit dinner on board and private parties also can be arranged on the Launch.

Other Attractions within the Hussain Sagar Lake : If you are exploring Hussain Sagar Lake, you must see other nearby tourist spots like Lumbini Park, an amusement park and enchanting Birla Mandir and Planetarium. Standing on the Tank Bund at night, one is awe-struck to see the glimmering row of lights outlining the lake that looks like a diamond studded necklace. This is the necklace road that enhances the beauty of Hussain Sagar. The famous and ancient temple of Katta Maisamma, meaning goddess of the dam, is very close to this park and attracts a lot of devotees every year.

Best Time to Visit : October to March
Visiting Hours : Any Time
Famous as : One Of The Largest Man Made Lakes
Commonly Known As : Tank Bund
Unique Features : Connects The Twin Cities Of Hyderabad and Secunderabad
Fare : Free For Public
Other Attractions within the Hussain Sagar Lake : Lumbini Park & Birla Mandir, Necklace Road