Swarnagiri Temple
In the morning after the complimentary breakfast at Treebo we left to the Swarnagiri Temple. During the partition the Tirupati temple stayed with Andhra Pradesh so Telangana needed this Venkateswara swamy temple. This is some 50 kms away from the Hyderabad city. We wanted to visit Yadagiri gatta temple after this but decided other wise due to the traffic and delay at fuel station. This temple is build by the Srivari trust under the guidance of Chinna Jeeyar swamigal. Bhuvanagiri were the temple is situated is a village developing now owing to the temple. As it was a Saturday, the queues were very long. So we had to go for Rs.500 special darshan ticket per head. We were let to workship the Lord Venkateswara right the entrance of the sanctum. A laddu and a red scarf was given while giving the ticket itself. A laddu prasadam was provided after the darshan like in Tirupati. The next complex is where the Lord sleeps in water. After this we went to the Annaprasadam hall and had lunch - sweet pongal, chutney, rice and dhal followed by sambar, rasam and butter milk.
Hitech city
After driving for another 2 hours we reached the Hitech city of Hyderabad, the IT worker's paradise. Never imagined a city like this dedicated only to the IT. A separate infrastructure has been planned and provided to the IT industry. Though Chennai has a huge IT population nothing can come up to this infrastructure. No wonder Tamil Nādu is losing many investments to this neighbouring state. One would just get awe struck looking at the many skyscrapers here when travelling for the first time.
Nilofeur Cafe
At the hitech city we went to the much talked about spot - Nilofeur Cafe. A cup of tea costs Rs.171 here. We had few biscuits - Rs. 50 each. The café was overflowing and huge crowd standing outside on a Saturday while parcels were flying past. Seems the buying power is more here and people preferring high class cafes.
IKEA
Our second spot at Hitech city was IKEA. This again a bucket list for a long time and dint disappoint too. Unlike other stores, IKEA had everything set up like at home or at an office space for one to pick and buy as suitable to their needs. We move as we keep looking at the set up of items sold. There is one floor dedicated to food. Ready to eat foods can be picked into our trays and once you get them billed you can eat them in the table available. One huge store and a must visit.
Telangana Martyr Memorial
From Hitech sity we moved to the other part of Hyderabad for more sight seeing. Located near the Hussain sagar lake is the Telangana Martyr Memorial built in memory of the students who lost their lives for the formation of separate state of Telangana. Its in the form of a lamp, stainless body and the diva in yellow.
Lumbini Part & Buddha Statue
As we walk towards the lake we go via the Lumbini park. Through this park we can get to the boating. Charging Rs.100 per person, the boat takes you to the Buddha statue at the middle of the lake. A 10 mins boat ride in the chill weather is an enjoyable one.
ISKCON Golden Temple
Right in Banjara hills we did make visit to the nearby places of interest. The ISKCON temple or the Narasimhaswamy temple. Lord Narasimha here is worshipped here like in any other temples while the Lord Radha Govindha follows the Hare Krishna movement.
Jagannath Mandir
This is said have built for the Lord Jagannath followers in this part of Hyderabad. The temple architecture follows that of Odisha's Puri Jagannanth temple. This temple was well maintained in spite fo the devotees thronging in huge numbers. We had a wonder dharshan of the Lord here.
Peddamma Talli Temple
Our friends had recommended we visit this Goddess temple. She is considered the village God who takes care of her people. Located in a commercial area, it was very difficult to navigate in the traffic and crowd. Devotees try to place a coin inside the temple in the standing position to get their prayers answered by the Goddess.
Shilparamam Arts & Crafts Village
This is a place in Madhapur is where one can witness the Arts and Crafts and buy their favourite handicraft items. The entrance fee here is Rs.60 per head. We got to look into some unique varieties of handloom fabrics and wooden decorative items.
Statue of Equality
The entrance fee to Statue of Equality is Rs. 250. After placing our footwears and mobiles in the cloak room, we have to go through security screening and getting a screened rubber stamp on the had only we can enter the temple. Initially one gets amazed at seeing the second largest statue in the world that of Ramanujar. The lighting work enhances the magnanimity of the 216 feet statue. Once we enter, we have to go through the 108 divya deshan Gods. All 108 Vishnu's are split in 4 separate buildings around the Saint Ramanujar. It was wonder to worship all 108 diva desham deities in one place. After that as we get to the Saint Ramanujar statue, we witnessed puja being performed to the small Golden deity of Saint Ramanujar. Beyond that elderly devotees are allowed to get into the hall and take the lifts to the upper floor near the Saint Ramanujar statue. Others will have to climb up 108 steps to reach there. Once we were there we could go around the statue and marvel at the intricate work, the lightings, the water work and the divinity. Since it was around the closing time we got to be there during the final puja and also witnessed the music and the colourful fountains. At the end of the puja we were given prasadams. With that we walked all the way to the huge parking area to leave.
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