Hussain Sagar Lake

In addition to being a major tourist hotspot, the Hussain Sagar Lake is a hub of water sports as well. Different kind water sports such as sailing, yachting and boating are a regular feature of the lake. Sailing and yachting are among the most active clubs here, and Regattas have been held here since 1971 jointly by the EME Sailing Association and the Secunderabad Sailing Club. Other events such as the Hyderabad Sailing Week have been held here since 1984. The same year saw the introduction of laser boats by the Laser Class Association of India. Annual sports meet see a huge turnout of sports enthusiasts from all over the country.

Covering a massive area of 5.7 square kilometers, the Hussain Lake was artificially constructed over the Musi River by Quli Qutub Shah. A 3 km long dam wall connecting Hyderabad and Secunderbad is a part of the premises as well. A 16 m high monolithic Buddha statue weighing at 350 tonnes is erected right at the centre of the lake. Crafted entirely out of white granite, the magnificent statue is placed upon what is known as the "Rock of Gibralter".

Boating
If you want to spend a calm and pleasant evening amidst nature, you must take a boat ride around the lake. The boats start from the Lumbini Park that is adjacent to the lake. You can find varieties of boats to choose from according to your mood. The boats range from mechanised boats to speed boats and ferries. You will be provided with life jackets before the ride. What is the plus point of boating through the lake? You can see the gigantic Buddha Statue upfront. It will be a sight to behold. The fees for boating depend on the type of boat you hire.

Mechanized Boat- Rs. 55 per Adult
Jet Ski Boat- Rs. 250 per Person
Jet Ski Boat- Rs. 300 per Couple
Rajahamsa Boat (minimum five persons)- Rs. 100 per Person

Parasailing
If you have a knack for some adventurous time, you might want to check out the water sports options at the lake. The lake is famous for Parasailing and yachting. Don’t worry! They will provide you with adequate safety equipment and will take charge of your safety. The cost of Para Sailing is Rs. 400 per person.

Dining at Eat Street
Foodies, rejoice! Overlooking the calm and quaint waters of the Hussain Sagar Lake lies the famous Eat Street of Hyderabad which is the perfect destination to spend a peaceful evening with your family. This point lives up to its name and has a number of famous fast food joints such as Pizza Hut, Minerva Coffee Shop, Baskin Robbins, SubWay and McDonald's. And if you're in the mood for some good old desi chaat, Ohri's counter section has the perfect fix for you with its lip-smacking Dahi Puri, Golgappas, Chana Bhatura, Dahi Papdi, Pav Bhaji, Aaloo Chat, Raj Kachori and Pani Puri. Other delicacies served here include Hyderabad Biryani, Vegetarian, Chicken and Mutton Biryani, Rajma Rice, Naan, Roti, coffee, Dosas, Idli and Uttapams. 

Go Partying at The Bay
Everyone likes partying by the lake. So if you are in a mood to get some drinks and party hard, you must definitely visit The Bay. It is situated just above the Eat Street and will definitely give you some coastal vibes. If you love drinking, what’s better than a pint of beer in hand, some dancing and the beautiful lake in the background?

Lumbini Park
Lumbini Park is a small public park which is situated adjacent to the Hussain Sagar Lake. It covers around 7.5 acres of area and is dedicated to Lord Buddha. It is named after Lumbini of Nepal, which is a Buddhist Pilgrimage site in Nepal. This park is known for the attracting multimedia fountain, which is commonly known as the musical fountain by the locals as well as the tourists. You can also enjoy the laser shows that are put up every day after the sun goes down. Watching the beautiful laser show can be an opportunity of a lifetime, and you would not like to miss it.

Buddha Statue
The 18- meter high monolithic granite statue of Buddha is one of the main attractions of Hussain Sagar Lake. It is the tallest monolithic statue of Gautama Buddha and stands proudly at the centre of the lake. The statue was brought to Hyderabad in 1988 by N.T. Rama Rao, the then Chief Minister of the state. It was sculpted by 200 sculptors and was carved out of single granite rock. It weighs approximately 450 tons. Erecting the statue in the middle of the lake took tremendous effort. People from all over the world come to Hyderabad to see the statue.

Hussain Sagar Lake was built in 16th century by Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in appreciation of Hussain Shah Wali, who is believed to have been the force behind its unique heart - shaped design. Constructed on a tributary of Musi River in 1563, the water in the lake is perennially fed by canals from the Musi river. Hussain Sagar was the main source of water supply to Hyderabad before Himayat Sagar and Osman Sagar were built on river Musi. Today, it is flocked by tourists and visitors in large number and has become one of the most popular tourist attraction in the city.

The best time to go to Hussain Sagar Lake is during the morning when you will find joggers and people with dogs out on a walk, or during the evening when the weather is good for a stroll and the laser show is conducted. The best time to visit Hussain Sagar Lake is between June to February as the summer evenings can be quite pleasant for long walks and picnics. However, the best time of the day to visit the lake is from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm as this is the time when you can see the colour of the sky change at the horizon as the sun begins to set. It is also advised to take boat rides at this time as the weather will be cold and pleasant.

1. Do litter around the lake or through any garbage in the lake. 2. Be careful while indulging in water sports activities and take proper precautions as suggested.