Hussain Sagar Lake and Buddha Statue

Hussain Sagar is a large artificial lake built in the sixteenth century that separates Hyderabad from Secunderabad in Telangana, and its best-known feature is the 17.5 metre monolithic Buddha statue standing on Gibraltar Rock in the middle of the water. The statue was installed in 1992 and can be reached by ferry from Lumbini Park or from the Tank Bund promenade on Tank Bund Road. Boats run through the day, usually from about 9:00AM to 8:00PM, though timings vary, and the crossing takes around 15 to 20 minutes each way. At the island, visitors can walk around the base of the statue and photograph the lake and city skyline. Along the Tank Bund the promenade is a free walkway lined with statues of Telugu personalities, and on the far shore Necklace Road runs past parks and the Eat Street food area, where evening stalls serve snacks and street food. Lumbini Park nearby has gardens and a laser and musical fountain show in the evening. A complete visit including the boat ride and a walk along the shore takes about one and a half to two hours. The best photographs come from the boat, looking back toward the Tank Bund at sunset, and from Necklace Road with the statue in the frame. Crowds are largest on weekend evenings and holidays, when queues for boats can be long, and calmer on weekday mornings and afternoons. The boat ride costs about INR 100 to 150 per adult and INR 50 to 100 for children. The lake is easily reached by metro to Khairatabad or Lakdi-ka-pul followed by a short auto ride. Visitors are advised to follow life-jacket instructions and to check that boat services are running, as operations can pause during rough weather or during the immersion events held in the lake.