| Hussain Sagar | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Lake type | artificial lake |
| Basin countries | India |
| Max. depth | 32 ft |
| Surface elevation | 1,759 ft |
| Islands | Buddha Statue (artificial) |
| Settlements | Hyderabad and Secunderabad |
Hussain Sagar (Urdu: حسين ساگر) is a lake in Hyderabad, India, built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It was a lake of 24 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.[1] [2]
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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 33 statues of famous personalities of the State(which are now partially destroyed) stand along the bund of the lake. The well laid out Lumbini park located in the Buddha Purnima project has a musical fountain. The lake was a hot spot as a suicide location but these have reduced in the last few decades, possibly due to the worsening water quality.
The lake is encompassed on one side by the beautiful Lumbini Park, an amusement park for the young and old alike. Then 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 being readied 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 lions 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). Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Throughout the year the Tank Bund presents a picture of hustle-bustle of the regular traffic.
The road on the Tank Bund was originally very narrow during Nizams 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 lighting during nights, and the installation of nearly thirty three (33) well sculptured bronze statues mounted on high platforms, in the memory of historical and eminent personalities of Hyderabad State and Andhra Pradesh.
The Pakistan Patton tank M-47, 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, between December 15 - 17, 1971. And it is a gift for the city from 54th Infantry Division, after 1971 Indo-Pak war. It is kept for display on center of Tank Bund, thus became an attraction for visitors to the Hussain Sagar.[3]
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 on them. Located at north end of the Tank Bund, Saidani Maa Saheba Ki Dargah and mosque is one of the most renowned dargahs of Hyderabad. One of the woman saints of the Nizam Era in Hyderabad, it is one of the sacred places wherein people throng in large numbers. The fact behind the dargah construction is believed to be that it was built as a tribute paid to a mother from her son. One of the remarkable instances of Islamic architecture, the tomb has been carved intricately with marble lattice work.[4]
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 monolithic statue was chiselled 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 the initial problems, the statue was erected on 12 April 1992 on a red coloured Lotus pedestal. Attached to it, Lumbini park was inaugurated with musical fountains, Bonsai Plants and a boat ride from Lumbini Park to the Buddha Statue. The whole atmosphere reflects peace and perseverance. Madan Singh, Civil Engineer with Endowments Department, Govt. of AP. was incharge for chiseling out, design and carve, transport and install the statue at midst of Hussain sagar on Gibraltor Rock.
Annual immersion of Ganesh idols after the 10 day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on Ananta Chaturdashi. Locally this event is called Ganesh Nimajjanam. 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 and 1990s the immersion of Ganesh idols during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi has led to the further pollution of the polluted lake. Currently there are numerous[5] environmentalist groups and government agencies that are trying to improve the condition of the lake.
Hussain Sagar Lake is a popular spot for sailing. Various 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 strength to strength from 10 Laser entries in 1984 to 110 Laser entries in 2009. The event has traditionally been a multi class event jointly hosted and conducted by the EME Sailing Association and the Secunderabad Sailing Club and been conducted with military precision and elan for the past 24 years. In august 2009 the lake was witness to the monsoon regatta in which sailors from all over India had 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.[6][7]
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 Governor is on the western banks.
Hussain sagar has MMTS Train stations at Necklace road and Sanjeevaiah park.
State owned APSRTC runs the city bus service, connecting all the major centres of the twin city.
A project feasibility report has been prepared for the conservation & restoration of Hussain Sagar Lake under National Lake Conservation Plan. The Hussain Sagar Lake has been the centre of Hyderabad civilisation and is among the most beautiful national heritage. It has played a major role in the economy of the State of Andhra Pradesh through its attraction of tourists as well as its utilisation 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 zone of the twin cities.
During the past few years grave concern is being voiced by people from different walks of life over the deteriorating conditions of Hussain Sagar Lake. As a result of heavy anthropogenic pressures, the lake eco-systems are not only strengthening in its surface becoming poor in quality, posing health hazards to the people living in close proximity to the lake. Over the years the entire eco-system of Hussain Sagar Lake has changed. The water quality has deteriorated considerably during the last three decades. Over the years the lake has become shallow due to siltation and accumulation of plant debris. 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 & financing from NLCP. The PFR focuses various physical, chemical, biological features of lakes including the technical & other sub-projects for the conservation of lake. Abstract of costs of all technical & other sub-projects have also 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 also 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.
The Tank Bund dams Hussain Sagar Lake on the eastern side and connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. There are 33 statues of famous people of Andhra Pradesh erected by former chief minister N.T. Rama Rao. On March 10 2011, Telangana state activists held a protest march at Tank Bund. During this, they broke several statues and threw them in to Hussain Sagar.
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 present close to the Tank bund, where many sailors participate in events held at the lake 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 lower Tank Bund road is heralded by the well known Missamma temple, the sprawling green Indira Park, Hyderabad, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Ramakrishna Mission and Snow world. An important flyover Telugu Talli flyover rises from the Lower tank bund road and flies across the end of the Tank bund road.
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