Hussain Sagar - Tank Bund

Tank Bund

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 statues of 33 famous personalities of the state (which are now partially destroyed) stand along the bund. The lake was notorious as a suicide location. This has reduced in the last few decades, possibly due to the worsening water quality.

The beautiful, well-laid-out Lumbini Park, part of the Buddha Purnima project, has a musical fountain. The lake is encompassed on one side by the Lumbini amusement park. 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 designed 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 lion statues 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). Throughout the year the Tank Bund presents a picture of hustle-bustle of the city.

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 close to the Tank bund, where many sailors participate in events held 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 road is heralded by the well known Missamma temple, the sprawling green Indira Park, Bharat Sevashram Sangha, Ramakrishna Mission and Snow world.