Vanasthalipuram

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Vanasthalipuram (వనస్థలిపురం)is a residential suburb of Hyderabad and houses one of the largest residential colonies of Asia. It is situated 18 km from the centre of the city on Hyderabad, on the Vijayawada highway; NH-9. Today the 20 year old suburb is fast changing into an urban centre.

In the early decades of 19th century, the area housing the present day colony was a densely wooded area boasting an abundance of wild animals and was famous as a hunting ground or shikarghar(hunting ground in Urdu) of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Hence the name Vanasthalipuram (Vana="forest"+sthali="place"+puram-a Telugu prefix for a locality or site). This once beautiful forest is today regarded as ‘janasthali’ with over a lakh population in about 42 colonies in and around this locality. Due to its serene surroundings the place has become one of the preferred residential areas for people working in the city.

Mahavira Harina Vanasthali (deer park), Vipasana mediation centre, Venkateswara Swamy temple and Somnatha Kshetram are some of the attractions of this area. Touristic attractions and entertainment areas like Ramoji Film City, Deer Park and Mount Opera are located within 10 - 15 km of Vanasthalipuram, on the highway.

The main commercial sections of Vanasthalipuram are Ganesh Temple, NGO's Colony and Rythu Bazar. It hosts three cinemas, Sushma, Vishnu and Sampoorna, all of which are located within 1 km of each other.

Vanasthalipuram is well connected to the city centre by public transport. Due to its accessiblity and location it has potential to become a major tourist hub within the Hyderabad metro area.

Vanasthalipuram has good educational institutes like the Siddartha Public School,Nagarjuna High School, Loyola Schools, and Colleges such as Narayana, Rajadhani and Chaitanya.

Vanasthalipuram used to be a residential colony with a peaceful atmosphere, trees and lanes. In the 21st century it has become the hub of commercial activity with a rapidly expanding commercial and business establishment, which is giving the colony a town-like atmosphere and thus depriving the residents of the once peaceful atmosphere.