Having being built in various cities across
India, the delightfully enchanting Birla Temple erected by the popular Birla
Family carves its existence even in Hyderabad. The temple is situated on the
high hillock called Naubath Pahad at the South end of Hussain Sagar. With its
advent in 1976, the temple is a true dedication to Lord Venkateswara (Vishnu).
Much of its natural beauty is enhanced by the euphony of cuckoos, Kirtans of
Ramadas, Tyagaraja and Annamayya whereas the rest is catered by the
artificially installed white marbles specifically brought from Rajasthan.
Nonetheless, the “Kausalya Supraja Rama Poorvia Sandhya Pravartate” pious
chanting to awake the Lord can be heard at the backdrop every morning and
evening.
History
The contemporary and fascinating temple
stands at a height of 280 feet and a plot of 13 acres. Established in the year
1976, the astounding edifice took as long as 10 years to flaunt its beauty.
According to Swami Ranganathananda’s beliefs, the man responsible behind its
consecration, the temple is devoid of any bells so as to have a peaceful
environment for meditation.
Architecture
The framework is a crisp amalgamation of
South Indian and Orissan temple architecture. The majestic “Rajagopuram” at the
very entrance greeting its visitors and the towers over the sanctum are a mere
reflection of the South Indian architectural style. However, the
"Jagadananda Vimanam" or the shrine of Lord Vishnu highlights the
Orissan style of architecture. This 11 feet tall, grafite shrine even has a
lotus carved to display an image of an umbrella which makes it look even more
stunning. The intricate and elaborate replication of the artwork of the exotic
scenes from Mahabharata and Ramanaya does hint about the excellence of the
artisans. In fact, there exist several carvings like 'Mukha Mandapam' -
highlighting happenings from Indian mythology as well as the inner shrine of
the temple is a copy from the Venkateswara temple situated at Tirupati.
Shrines
The Birla Temple is one among the most
visited religious places in India. In fact, the journey to Hyderabad is
definitely incomplete without having witnessed its spectacular beauty
particularly at early morning or late evenings when it’s illuminated. The
consorts of Lord Vishnu, ‘Andal’ and ‘Padmavati’ even reside under the same
roof.
Nearby
Attractions
Golconda Fort: Built at the time of Yadava
dynasty of Kakatiyas and Deogiri, the Golconda Fort is yet another main
attraction of Hyderabad. Having derived its name from Telugu words, “Golla
Konda” meaning “Shepherd’s Hill”, the glory of the Qutub Shahi dynasty is at
its peak at the light and sound show held every evening.
Charminar: The popular monument of
Charminar with its existence dating back to 1591 by Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah is
the main centre of attraction for all tourists visiting Hyderabad. 54 metres
high, the entire monument is adorned with lotus buds.
Qutub Shahi Tomb: The Qutub Shahi Tomb
built close to the Golconda Fort was established under the reign of Qutub Shahi
Dynasty. Its majestic umbrella shaped domes, designed for the kings to rest are
its major highlight.
Mecca Masjid: The Mecca Masjid is the
oldest and the biggest mosque of South India. Built in 1614, the credit for
laying its foundation goes to Abdula Qutub Shah. Center of main pilgrimage for
the majority of residents of the city, the view of this magnificent edifice can
even be enjoyed from the Charminar. Not only this, some piece of art by the
Asaf Jahi rulers in the form of tombs can be seen in its mosque.
Best
Time to Visit
The perfect time to visit any monument is
in a cool and pleasant weather. To enjoy your journey to the Birla Temple at
Hyderabad, the time from October to March is the best for any tourist.
Besides the months, early morning at around
5:30 a.m at the time of aarti or late evenings when the entire temple is lit is
the perfect time for anyone to have a wonderful time alone or with family.
How
to Reach
Reaching Hyderabad from anywhere around
India or in fact abroad is not at all a tiring task. With ease in
transportation by three mediums, air, road and railways, one can choose any
medium according to his/her suitability.
By
Train: The Nampally railway station is the major
station of the city. It has a major railway network connecting all the major
cities of the country. In fact, the city’s twin, Secunderabad also has a well
established railway station.
By
Air: Much like railways, its air network also has a
strong foot holding. From its International Airport i.e. Rajiv Gandhi
International Terminal to its N T Rama Rao domestic terminal, both the airports
are well connected to all the major cities of the country. The airports even
have private flights operating on its bases. Not very far, but just 20 km from
the city, one can reach both the airports located at the same place, Begumpet.
With taxis easily available, in not more than a basic fare of Rs 350 can a
tourist reach any of the airports.
By
Road: In order to reach Chennai, Bangalore,
Vijayawada and Vishakhapatnam one can avail the super deluxe, deluxe, Volvo and
A/C tourist buses to connect to any of the nearing cities of Hyderabad. In
fact, Hyderabad is a renowned hub for its convenient road services.
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