Tourism in Ranga Reddy district in Telangana is a truly enriching experience as it has been the meeting ground for various civilisations and religions through the ages. Woven into its landscape are the most ancient and the most modern of structures - some made by myth and mystery and the others the handiwork of man. A number of tourist attractions, both religious and otherwise are seen all over the district. Some of the most popular places of tourism in the district are discussed below.
Pilgrimage Tourism in Ranga Reddy District
Pilgrimage tourism in Ranga Reddy District of Telangana includes the tourist sites like Maheshwaram, temple complex at Sanghi, Keesaragutta and many other pilgrimage tourist importance sites.
Maheshwaram
Maheshwaram is a popular tourist site located in the district. The remains of a magnificent temple of Lord Shiva are found among the ruins left by the ravages of time. Apart from the main temple, Maheshwaram also has two fortresses- Shiva Ganga and Vishnu Ganga- the Kacheri house of Akkanna and Madanna, famous ministers of Bhaktha Ramdas era, the Kodanda Ramalayam, and the Shivaji Durgam. Every edifice here bears the imprint of more than 500 years of history. The temples here house many exquisite and detailed sculptures.
Chilkur
Nestled in an arm of the beautiful Himayath Sagar Lake the little village of Chilkur is not only scenic but is also held sacred by the people of the region. The ancient temple of the Lord Balaji is located on an excellent spot by the side of the lake and is increasingly attracting devotees of God as well as of nature. The National Deer Park here is an attempt to protect and nurture the beautiful fauna of the land.
Temple Complex at Sanghi
The temple complex at Sanghi is a marble marvel built by the Sanghi family. This magnificent temple is situated at Sanghi nagar, 26 kms from Hyderabad. Sculpted by the renowned craftsman Sri Ganapathy Stapathy, this temple complex - `Paramanandagiri`, has temples of Lord Hanuman, Lord Venkateshwara, Lord Rama, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Durga and Goddess Ashtalakshmi. A visual delight, this temple complex has an ambience of serenity and sanctity.
Keesaragutta
Keesaragutta, a unique hillock with a thousand Gods, is well known as the place where Lord Rama worshipped Shiva ages ago. The temple here, with over a thousand years of history, has a unique sand sculpture in the sanctum sanctorum. The archaeological museum here houses artefacts dating back to the 4th century. Keesara is a testament to the Artefacts of the land.
Nature Tourism in Ranga Reddy District
A surprise feature in the rocky, brown landscape of the Ranga Reddy District is the Anantagiri hill range. This startlingly beautiful hill station is an ideal and upcoming summer resort. With ancient cave-like structures and bathing ghats, with the temple of Lord Ananta Padhmanabha built centuries ago by a Muslim king - this is yet another place that bears testimony to the glorious history of the land.
Durgam Cheruvu
Among the many lakes that dot the Ranga Reddy District and the twin cities, Durgam Cheruvu is the most unspoilt and quietest. Surrounded by the unique rock mounds that mark the plateau, the `cheruvu` or the lake makes for a welcome get away from the noisy urban milieu. Boat rides on the lake, games and food stalls add further to the atmosphere of relaxation here.
Himayat Sagar Lake
The Himayat Sagar Lake is located at a distance of 24 kms from Hyderabad and it is the chief source of drinking water for the people in the region. The placid and unpolluted waters of the lake are located in a placid surrounding which makes the site a welcome respite for those looking for some rest and relaxation.
Shamirpet Lake
Shamirpet Lake is a huge lake. It attracts a lot of visitors who come here to breathe in the fresh air and soak in the coolness of the place. Located at a distance of 42 kms from Hyderabad, it is an easy spot to reach for a rejuvenating weekend in the guest houses by the lake.
Leisure Tourism in Ranga Reddy District
Leisure Tourism in Ranga Reddy District includes the spots like Rajasthani Village, Ramoji Film City, Ghoomar-Jhoomar and many other sposts.
Ramoji Film City
The Ramoji Film City is the world`s largest film city. It offers excellent and comprehensive facilities for filmmaking. The guided tours through the fantastic landscapes are a major attraction here.
Dhola ri Rani
The Dhola ri Rani is a resort with a difference. Located 22 kms away from Hyderabad, it is a visually a typical Rajasthani Village. Complete with a temple, Ghoomar-Jhoomar the amphitheatre for performing arts, Kund- a swimming pool and the Maan Manuhar- the chowki style restaurant with ethnic cuisine, lawns a dance floor and the artefact shop. All these make for a functional blend of the ethnic and the modern.
Hi-Tech City
The most happening place for Information Technology lies in this part of the globe. Home for IT giants like the IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, GE, Motorola etc., the Hi-tech city in Madhapur is the symbol of man`s capacity and skill in the ever expanding frontiers of knowledge. Providing a great contrast to the historicity of the land, this technological hub is an energetic and creative response to the contemporary needs of the country and the world.
Shilparamam
With the backdrop of the Hi-tech city building, the symbol of the most modern skills of man, Shilparamam at Madhapur showcases the age old, exquisite arts and crafts of the state of Andhra Pradesh and the country. Spread over 50-acres of land and only 6 years old, this village has given a tremendous boost to arts and crafts and has become a commercial heaven for artisans. A thousand varieties of handicrafts are sold here by the craftsmen themselves. There is an amphitheatre for folk arts with daily performances and thousands flock here to savour their cultural, artistic, and aesthetic heritage.
Ocean Park
Ocean Park is a world class amusement and water theme park located in the Ranga Reddy district, right in the middle of the plateau. A number of activities of pure fun with a variety of water rides are available - sliding, rafting, going zip-zap-zoom, carousing in the wave pool and many more. Ocean Park offers variety of fun things to do in water, on land and in air for people of all age groups. It is situated just 15 kms from the state capital at Gandipet in 20 acres of landscaped gardens.
Runway-9
Runway-9 is a popular tourist attraction in the district famous for adventure sports. India`s first and a state-of-the-art Go-Karting facility, Runway-9 is on a 5 acre plot in Kompally on the National Highway-7. Runway-9 has a full scale 711 metres concrete track conforming to international standards. Illuminated at night, the track is attached to a huge grandstand that includes a club house with multiple restaurants and other facilities - pool parlours, archery range, even a play centre for children making it an ideal family recreation centre.
Ranga Reddy district therefore has a lot to offer the traveller. It is dotted with places of tourist attraction not just for religious or historical interest, but also promises to be a fun-filled ride for those looking for some adventure.