Birla Mandir
Birla Mandir Overlooking the Tank Bund, the Birla Mandir presents an arresting sight when illuminated in the evening. This magnificent structure built entirely out of marble from Rajasthan, stands atop the Kala Pahad, the twin hillock of the Naubat Pahad. Built by Birla Foundation over a span of ten years, the main temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara. Tel: 23233259

B.M.Birla Planetarium / Science Museum
B.M.Birla Planetarium / Science Museum In the heart of our city lies one of the most modern planetarium in the country. It is being developed into a centre for the study of astronomy.

Sky shows are held daily at different timings in different languages. Planetarium closed on last Thursday of the month. 10.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Science Museum closed on last Tuesday of the month. 10.30 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. Tel: 23241067

Charminar
Charminar Located in the heart of the old city, this magnificent edifice built by Mohd. Quli Qutb Shah, is the unique symbol of Hyderabad. A small mosque is located on the roof of the edifice. All around the Charminar is a bustling bazar of pearl and jewellery shops, perfume and attar dealers.

Close by is the Laad Bazar or the bangle alley with rows of shops selling lacquer and glass bangles. Tel: 24522990 Entry Fee:Rs. 5/-

Warangal Fort
Warangal Fort Built with Geometric intricacies during the reign of Ganapathi Deva, the Warangal Fort with its impressive and beautifully carved thorana arches, and pillars inside spread over a radius of 19 kms.The main fort has 45 towers, and a Temple of Mother Earth in the middle of the fort.
Warangal True to its name this city was destined o stand like a solid rock, "Eka Shila Nagaram" as it is called and now transformed into Warangal.

Thousand Pillar
Thousand Pillar Temple located on the outskirts of Warangal at Hanumakonda, built in the Chalukyan Style, the star shaped triple shrined temple is dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Surya. The temple is notable for its richly carved pillars, perforated screens and exquisite icons with a special and an impressive rock cuts of elephants and Nandi.

Golconda Fort
Golconda Fort Founded originally by the Kakatiyas in the 13th century, the existing structure was expanded by the Qutb Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite with walls and ramparts extend-ing some 7 kms in circumference. The fortress city within the walls was famous for the diamond trade.

The Koh-i-noor diamond, the Hope Diamond and the Orloff Diamond of Catherine the Great are said to have come from here. Through an amazing feat of acoustics, a hand clap at a certain point below the dome at the entrance reverberates and can be heard clearly at the Bala Hissar, the highest point almost a kilometre away. A sound and light show in the evenings is an added attraction. Tel: 23512401

Shilparamam
Shilparamam is a crafts village set up at Madhapur beyond Jubilee Hills. It is spread over 30 acres and has annual bazaars where artists and artisans from all over the country participate. For programme details contact 3100455

Mecca Masjid
The few bricks from Mecca which are embedded in the walls of this impressive mosque, gives it its name. Originally started by Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutb Shah, it was completed by the conqueror Aurangazeb. The largest mosque in the twin cities, second largest in India and seventh largest in the world, it can accommodate upto 10,000 worshippers. Its enormous colonnades are carved from single slabs of granite. Close to the mosque are tombs of the Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty.

Tirupati Tirumala
Tirupati, in the foothills of Tirumala, is the location of one of the most venerated shrines in India, dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. One of the oldest and richest temples in the country, it was patronised by Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas and the Vijayanagar kings and mentioned in the Sastras, Puranas and the Sthalamahattyams. The range of Tirumala hills, according to the Puranas, represent the body of the serpent Adisesha, on which Lord Vishnu, protector of the world, rests. The seven hills represent the seven heads of the serpent. The main temple is a magnificent example of Indian temple architecture.

Undavalli Caves
The Undavalli caves are at a distance of 8 km from Vijayawada and nearly 280 kms from Hyderabad. The high hill overlooking the Krishna river at the village of Undavalli, hosts fine specimens of cut-in architectural and sculptural models. This long multi storeyed cave with a huge Anantasaya Vishnu figure, is one of the best and earliest caves in this area.