The busy city of Hyderabad is considered to be one of the richest places in India in terms of culture and history. While, there is no dearth of attractions in the city, you may well want to check out other fabulous nearby attractions. Here are four popular tourist destinations near the ancient city.
Mahabubnagar
Mahabubnagar, formerly known as Plamaoor, has been named after one of the Nizams of Hyderabad. It is famous for being the source of the world class Golconda diamonds, including the famous Kohinoor diamond. The town has various places and monuments of historical significance. It also boasts some of the most picturesque natural settings in the area.
It is located just 134 kilometres from Hyderabad and the best time to visit the place is from December to February.
Warangal
The historic city of Warangal was ruled by the Kakatiya Dynasty. They built numerous spectacular monuments across the whole region. Swayambhu temple, Bhadrakali Temple and Ramappa Temple are some of them. There is also the Thousand Pillar Temple which is shaped like a star. It is a perfect example of the architectural skills of the Kakatiyan Dynasty. You can also spend your day at the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary on the banks of River Godavari. For some photography, bird watching and boating, head to the Pakhal Lake. The best time to visit is between October and March.
Belum Caves
Belum caves have a length of 3229 metres. The cave is known for its large chambers, long passages and smooth walls. A recurrent stream flows through these caves between the stalagmites and the stalactites. Some of the stalagmites and the stalactites also produce musical sounds. The period between August and December is generally considered the best time to visit these caves.
Hampi
Hampi is surrounded by the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Home to the ancient Virupaksha Temple as well as various other ancient temples and monuments, Hampi is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
The Hindu temples at Hampi have walls displaying stories from the Veda and other religious scriptures. Some of the most prominent temples here are Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple, Badavi Linga and the Achyutaraya Temple. The best time to visit the place is from October through February.