Thursday, November 26, 2009

Culture:
St. Mary's Church, decorated on christmas eve

The city has a mixture of many religions.

The city has well known temples such as the Sri Ujjaini Mahankali Temple, one of most famous temples in the city. It is located in the heart of Secunderabad area, between R.P.Road and M.G.Road. There is an annual festival also known as the Bonalu Jatara held during the Ashada jathara on principal days which falls on Sunday and Monday.

The entrance to the Mahankali Temple

Other notable temples in the area include:

  • Sri Ganesh Temple, Gopalpuram - Secunderabad Station
  • Sri Hanuman Temple, Tadbund
  • Sri Sai Baba Temple, Near Passport Office
  • Sree Ayyappa Devasthanam‎, Bolarum
  • Lord Venkateswara Temple,(Ratnalayam), Shamirpet
  • Sri Sarveswaralayam‎, Marredpally
  • ISKCON Temple, Near Sangeet Theatre
  • Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple, Padmarao Nagar

Secunderabad is home to many old and beautiful churches. Most of these churches were built in the early nineteenth century during the British Raj. Many missionaries who have settled here have initiated the construction of these churches.

Most of these churches have established schools, providing early education to the natives and uneducated people. Their sacrifices have seen the development of the region. The churches are decorated every December for the Christmas and New year season. Some of the famous churches in Secunderabad are:

  • St.John the Baptist Church, Secunderabad
  • St.Mary's Church, Secunderabad
  • Wesley Church, Clock Tower
  • St.Thomas S.P.G. Church, Secunderabad
  • All Saints Church, Trimulgherry
  • Holy Trinity Church, Bollarum
  • Centenary Baptist Church, Secunderabad
Sports and recreation:
  • Gymkhana Grounds - These grounds are multi-purpose grounds and are very large. They are occasionally let out for various occasions such as exhibitions, trade fairs, musical concerts, etc. They are also a favourite for all kinds of sports especially inter-school/college and inter-city tournaments. There is a small, but, neatly laid out cricket ground which hosted several first class cricket matches in the past.
Parade Grounds
  • Parade Grounds - These vast grounds are under the control of the union Defence ministry and serve as the designated venue for all official events like Independence day and Republic day parade celebrations. The military establishment lets this ground out also for civilian purposes like political party rallies, meetings, cultural events, etc. The Gymkhana grounds lie adjacent to these grounds.
  • Polo Grounds - Abutting the Parade grounds and under the control of the union Defence ministry, the Polo grounds are used for military and NCC training purposes. Polo matches and annual tournaments are held in these grounds.
  • Golf Courses - The oldest and famous golf course is the Bollarum golf course located at Bollarum. This is the only 18-hole golf course in Secunderabad. This is owned and maintained by the Indian army and is not open to general public. For entry, one has to be either a defence personnel or affiliated with the Secunderbad Club.

Railway golf course is a well known golf course of the city, located at Tarnaka. Spread over a vast and lush green area, this place is a golfer's paradise and attracts various golfers from various parts of state and the country.

  • Shamirpet Lake - It is situated 24km north of Secunderabad. Its beautiful rocky terrain on its bank is a delight to the eyes. Its distance from the city is an incentive for the weekend picnics. It offers a serene location. Shamirpet lake attracts a lot of birds, hence a destination for bird watchers too. There is also a deer park belonging to the state government near the lake. The best time to visit this lake is during October to March. The proposed Outer Ring Road will pass close to the lake.
Transport:

Secunderabad Railway Station, another famous landmark of the city
Tank Bund road, an important road which connects the cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad

The city is the Head-Quarters of South Central Railway Zone of the Indian Railways. It is served by one of the oldest and largest Railway Station in the twin cities popularly known as the Secunderabad Railway Station. It is well connected to other cities of the State as well as the country. Thousands of people from both the cities travel everyday from this station, because of its convenient location.

The Railway station has been renovated to provide convenient facilities to passengers like toll booths for cars, increased parking space, additional ticketing counters and giving it a better overall look as well. Private Taxis are also provided for commuters. MMTS local services are also available via this station. Secunderabad is also a major railway junction in the Wadi-Vijayawada railway route.

Secunderabad is also one of the major hub for the City Bus transport run by the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and is well connected to all the corners of both Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Major bus stations are the Jubilee Bus Station and Rathfile Bus station handling thousands of commuters everyday.

The city has good road connectivity to all places within it as well as with its neighbouring twin, Hyderabad. Tank Bund road is a historical and an important road which connects the two cities. It is situated on the banks of the lake Hussain sagar. Every day thousands of people criss-cross the twin cities, and as such there is no difference between the two cities. Both of them are treated equally as one big city!

The city is also well connected by air to other cities of the state as well as to other major cities of the country and abroad, through the Begumpet Airport which is very close to the city centre. The airport being close to the city was convenient for citizens and tourists alike until March 2008 when a new airport was opened in Shamshabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad which is known as the Hyderabad International Airport.

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