Hussain Sagar Lake and Buddha Statue, Hyderabad

Lake built

1562

Buddha statue height

About 18 m

Access to statue

By boat only

Nearest airport

Rajiv Gandhi International, about 33 km

Nearest railway station

Nampally, about 5 km

Ideal time needed

3–4 hours

History

Hussain Shah Wali had the lake built in 1562 during Qutb Shahi rule, to store water for the city in dry years. It is one of the older man-made lakes in the country and still separates the twin cities, with the Tank Bund road running along its embankment.

The Buddha statue

In the middle of the lake stands a monolithic Buddha about 18 metres tall, carved from a single block of granite and set on a concrete platform called the Rock of Gibraltar. It is counted among the tallest monolithic Buddha statues in the world. The sculptor was Ganapathi Sthapati, a noted temple architect, and the work took close to two years. The Dalai Lama later consecrated it, and it is now regarded as a place of pilgrimage. The island can be reached only by boat.

Around the lake

Lumbini Park, on the shore, has a musical fountain, a laser show and play areas that make it popular with families. NTR Gardens nearby offer lawns and rides. Birla Mandir, a white marble temple on a hill above the lake, gives good views. Necklace Road curves along one side with gardens and food stalls, and speed boats run in the evenings.

• Boat trip out to the Buddha
• Lumbini Park and its musical fountain
• NTR Gardens
• Birla Mandir
• Necklace Road and Tank Bund

How to reach

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is about 33 km away. Nampally railway station is roughly 5 km from the lake, and the central bus station about 8 km. Autos, cabs and city buses reach the lakefront easily.

Tips for your visit

Late afternoon is the best time to arrive: take the boat in daylight for photos, then enjoy the illuminated lake after dark. Weekends are crowded, so weekdays are calmer. We can include the lake in a Hyderabad city tour along with Charminar and Golconda.

Also nearby