Hussain Sagar

Hussain Sagar హుస్సేన్ సాగర్
Location	Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
Coordinates	17.45°N 78.5°E / 17.45; 78.5
Lake type	artificial lake
Basin countries	India
Max. length	3.2 km (2.0 mi)
Max. width	2.8 km (1.7 mi)
Surface area	4.4 km2 (2 sq mi)
Max. depth	32 ft
Surface elevation	1,759 ft
Islands	Buddha Statue (artificial)
Settlements	Hyderabad and Secunderabad

Hussain Sagar (Telugu: హుస్సేన్ సాగర్, Urdu: حسين ساگر‎) is a lake in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It was 5.7 square kilometres built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city. There is a large monolithic statue of the Gautam Buddha in the middle of the lake which was erected in 1992. At the end of the Hussain Sagar one can find the Masjid and Dargah of Sayedani Maa Tomb.

Tank bund

Tank bund road

Built in the 16th century, the lake was named to express the gratitude of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah to Hussain Shah Wali who helped him to recover from illness. It is a sprawling artificial lake that holds water perennially, built during the reign of Ibrahim Qutub Shah, across a tributary of the river Musi in 1562. Linking the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the lake and its environs have several parks and scenic spots. The broad road on the tank bund is lined with lawns, and statues of 33 famous personalities of the state (which are now partially destroyed) stand along the bund. The lake was notorious as a suicide location. This has reduced in the last few decades, possibly due to the worsening water quality.^{[citation needed]}

The beautiful, well-laid-out Lumbini Park, part of the Buddha Purnima project, has a musical fountain. The lake is encompassed on one side by the Lumbini amusement park. There is the enchanting Birla Mandir hewn on a hillock nearby. Standing on the Tank Bund at night, one is awe-struck to see the glimmering row of lights outlining the lake that look like “a diamond studded necklace”. This is the necklace road designed to enhance the beauty of Hussain Sagar.

The majestic white arch that forms the entrance stands high and immaculate into the bluish white sky beckoning the motorists a free and easy passage on the wide, long stretch of the Tank Bund. The two lion statues standing straight in support of the roof of the arch beside the pillars and the tapered dome with globular design akin to pinnacles on top are all styled after the traditional Hindu temple designs, much like the "simha dwaram" (the lion gateway). Throughout the year the Tank Bund presents a picture of hustle-bustle of the city.

This boulevard has beautiful gardens on both sides, with well-laid foot paths and benches, and a good volume of traffic running in between. This road gets busy during the evenings as people come here to enjoy the view and cool air from the lake and to relax at gardens. Moving further from the Tank bund road towards the other side one can connect with the Necklace road, which is another popular boulevard which many consider as a twin to the Tank bund. The sailing club is close to the Tank bund, where many sailors participate in events held throughout the year, in spite of the terrible water quality.

Parallel to the Tank bund, is the Lower Tank Bund road which was primarily built to reduce traffic congestion. This road is heralded by the well known Missamma temple, the sprawling green Indira Park, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Ramakrishna Mission and Snow world.

Landmarks and attractions

Map of Hussain Sagar

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The road on the Tank Bund was very narrow during Nizam's era and was widened in 1946 when Sir Mirza Ismail was the prime minister of Hyderabad Deccan. Further widening and beautification of the Tank Bund took place during 1987-88 with the addition of fountains with dancing waters, tantalising coloured lights at night, and the installation of nearly 33 well-sculptured bronze statues mounted on high platforms, in the memory of historical and eminent personalities of Hyderabad State and Andhra Pradesh.

Patton Tank

The Pakistan M47 Patton tank is a war trophy given to the 54th Infantry Division and is one that the battalion had disabled during the Battle of Basantar in Pakistan, during December 15–17, 1971. It was given to the city by the 54th Infantry Division after the 1971 Indo-Pak war. It is kept for display on center of Tank Bund, thus became an attraction for visitors to the Hussain Sagar.

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  Saidaanimaa tomb

Masjid and tomb of Saidani Maa Saheba

Saidanimaa tomb and mosque, also known as Sayedani Maa Tomb, is an ASI-declared heritage site. These unique lime and mortar tombs are beautifully carved and have marble inlay work. At north end of the Tank Bund, Saidani Maa Saheba Ki Dargah and mosque is one of the most renowned dargahs of Hyderabad. She was a saint of the Nizam era in Hyderabad; it is a sacred place where people throng in large numbers. The dargah is believed to be a tribute to a mother by her son. A remarkable instance of Islamic architecture, the tomb has been carved intricately with marble lattice work.

Buddha statue

Main article: Buddha Statue of Hyderabad

Statue of Buddha

An 18-meter high monolithic statue of Lord Buddha towers over the lake from atop the Rock of Gibraltar. [4] The idea of erecting a giant monolith Buddha statue in the midst of Hussain Sagar lake on the Gibraltar rock was a part of the Buddha Poornima project in 1985. The statue was chiseled out of a white granite rock, weighting 450 tons. It was carved by 200 sculptors for two years. The statue was transported to Hyderabad in November 1988. After initial problems, the statue was erected on 12 April 1992 on a red lotus pedestal. Attached to it, Lumbini park was inaugurated with musical fountains, bonsai plants and a boat ride from Lumbini Park to the statue. The whole atmosphere reflects peace and perseverance.

Ganesh immersion

Ganesh immersion in the lake

Once the source of drinking water for the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the lake's current condition is far from desirable. Since the 1980s the immersion of Ganesh idols during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi has led to the further pollution of the lake. Immersion of Ganesha Idols continued despite the ban on immersion of idols into the lake by honorable High court of Andhra Pradesh. However, the ban was lifted after the right-wing Hindu organisations protested the court ruling. There are numerous environmentalist groups and government agencies that are trying to improve the condition of the lake.

Sailing

Hussain Sagar lake is a popular spot for sailing. Regattas have been held here since 1971 jointly by the EME Sailing Association and the Secunderabad Sailing Club. The Hyderabad Sailing Week has been conducted here since 1984 when the first laser boats (an Olympic class boat) were introduced by the Laser Class Association of India. The event has grown from 10 laser entries in 1984 to 110 laser entries in 2009. The event has traditionally been a multi-class event. In August 2009 the lake was witness to the monsoon regatta in which sailors from all over India participated. Different classes of sailboats and yachts were raced including four J24, eighteen Hobie Cat and Fourtyseven Optimist (dinghy). The regatta was conducted by laser sailor Suheim Sheikh.

Statues of Icons of Telugu culture

Former chief minister NT Rama Rao commissioned statues of historical figures who played iconic role in the development of Telugu culture. The following 33 personalities are commemorated in the order of appearance from Secunderabad.

• Rudrama Devi
• Mahbub Ali_Khan, Asaf Jah VI
• Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
• Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy - Partially destroyed.
• Gurajada Apparao - Completely destroyed.
• Ballari Raghava
• Alluri Sita Rama Raju
• Sir Arthur Cotton - Completely destroyed.
• Tripuraneni Ramaswamy
• Pingali Venkayya
• Makhdoom Mohiuddin
• Suravaram Pratapareddy
• Gurram Jashuva - Completely destroyed.
• Matnoori Krishna Rao - Completely destroyed.
• Srirangam Srinivasa Rao - Partially destroyed.
• Raghupathi Venkataratnam Naidu - Partially destroyed.
• Thyagaraja
• Ramadasu
• Sri Krishnadevaraya - Competeley destroyed.
• Kshetrayya - Partially destroyed.
• Potuluri Virabrahmendra Swami
• Bramha Naidu - Completely destroyed.
• Molla
• Taneesha
• Siddhendra Yogi - Partially destroyed.
• Yogi Vemana
• Potana
• Annamacharya - Partially destroyed.
• Yerrapragada - Partially destroyed.
• Tikkana
• Nannayya - Partially destroyed.
• Gautamiputra Satakarni

Other attractions

The aesthetically built Andhra Pradesh Secretariat buildings, NTR Memorial, Lumbini Park, Prasads IMAX, Hyderabad Boat Club, Birla Mandir and Telugu Thalli flyover are on the southern side. The Secunderabad Sailing Club, Sanjeevaiah park, Hotel Marriott, Sayedani Maa Tomb and Mosque are on the northern side of the lake. Necklace road connects these two sides along the western banks. The railway line between Hyderabad and Secunderabad runs parallel to this road. Raj Bhavan, the residence of Andhra Pradesh's Governor, is on the western banks.

• Boat club and rides are provided by the A.P. Tourism Department.
• Lumbini Park features a musical fountain and well-landscaped garden.
• Necklace road has been opened to public. It passes round the Hussain Sagar Lake and has many recreational facilities and gardens such as Jalavihar, Eat Street and Sanjeevaiah Park.
• NTR Gardens on the Necklace road is a good attraction.

Transport

The state-owned APSRTC runs the city buses connecting Hussain Sagar to major centres of the twin cities. Hussain Sagar is serviced by MMTS Train stations at Necklace Road and Sanjeevaiah Park.

Conservation

A project feasibility report has been prepared for the conservation & restoration of Hussain Sagar Lake under the National Lake Conservation Plan. The Hussain Sagar Lake has been the centre of Hyderabadi culture and is among the most beautiful national heritage sites. It has played a major role in the economy of the State of Andhra Pradesh through its attraction of tourists as well as its use as a source of food and water. As with other urban lakes in India, the Hussain Sagar now serves as one of the main sewage collection zones of the twin cities.

Lake in the evening

Environmental conditions

During the past few years grave concern has been voiced by people from different walks of life over the deteriorating conditions of Hussain Sagar Lake. As a result of heavy anthropogenic pressures such as unplanned urbanization and , the lake eco-systems are resulting in its surface becoming poor in quality and posing health hazards to the people living in its proximity. Over the years the entire ecosystem of Hussain Sagar Lake has changed. The water quality has deteriorated considerably during the last three decades. The lake has become shallow due to siltation and accumulation of plant debris. A 2008 study of the lake's water and sediment has found that it has exceeded its eutrophic condition, reaching hypereutrophic status.

Many undesirable changes in the structure of biological communities have resulted, and some important species have either declined or completely disappeared. Realising the importance of conservation of Hussain Sagar Lake, a project has been formulated. This project shall be implemented by APPCB, Hyderabad, India. In this respect, a project feasibility report has been prepared for the approval and financing from NLCP. The PFR focuses physical, chemical, biological features of lakes including the technical and other sub-projects for the conservation of lake. Abstract of costs of all technical and other sub-projects have been given in the PFR. In spite of the commission of a sewage treatment plant on the western side, large amount of untreated sewage and industrial effluents continue to flow into the lake. The immersion of Ganesh idols during the annual Ganesh Chatturti festival adds to the degradation of water quality and siltation due to the increasing use of toxic plastic and fluorescent paints in the making of the idols as well as the increasing scale of the immersion of clay idols every year.

Gallery

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  Buddha Statue

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  Necklace road station

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  Hussain Sagar lake during sunrise

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  NTR Garden

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  Lake at dawn

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  People enjoying morning walk

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  Necklace Road MMTS Station

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  Tank bund

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  Hussain Sagar at night

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  The Twilight at Hussain Sagar lake

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  Lake just after sunset

External links

• Husain Sagar in 7 Wonders of Hyderabad
• Laser India Group
• Laser Class Association of India
• Monsoon regatta
• Husain Sagar, more than just a lake: An article published in Mumbai Mirror