The capital of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is an important centre for Islamic culture. It is well known for its crowded bazaars, surrounded by huge and impressive Islamic monuments. The extensive ruins of Qutab Shahi tombs and its nearby tombs are a major attraction. Charminar, the huge triumphal arc, is one of the most famous landmark of the city. Next to Charminar lies the Mecca Masjid, one of the world's largest mosque. The stunningly beautiful Birla Mandir is a very popular Hindu pilgrimage centre. Excursions include Golconda fort, a citadel built on a granite hill, well known for its acoustics; Warangal, famous for its various branches of Hindu temples; Nagarjunasagar, one of the largest masonry-constructed dams in the world.

• NAGARJUNASAGAR called 'Vijayapuri' in ancient times is an important Buddhist site located 150 kms from Hyderabad. Nagarjunasagar is named after the Buddhist saint Acharya Nagarjuna, one of the outstanding Buddhist teachers in the Andhra Kingdom. The relics of Buddhist civilisation dating back to the 3rd Century A.D. that were excavated here are carefully preserved on the picturesque island Nagarjunakonda situated in the centre of a man-made lake. The Nagarjunasagar Dam is the tallest masonry dam in the World. The Museum at Nagarjunakonda, which displays relics also has pre-historic finds in the form of tools from Paleolithic and Neolithic times.

• NAGARJUNAKONDA The excavated remains of the Buddhist civilization have been reconstructed and are carefully preserved at Nagarjunakonda, a unique Island museum, situated in the midst of the man-made Nagarjunasagar lake. Constructed In the shape of a Buddhist Vihara, the museum houses a stupendous collection of relics of Buddhist art and culture. Famous relics include a small tooth and an ear-ring believed to be of the Buddha. The main stupa of Nagarjunakonda called Mahachaitya is believed to contain the sacred relics of lhe Buddha. A partly ruined monolithic statue of the Buddha, that's at once a striking-image of peace and poise, is the main attraction at the museum.

• WARANGAL , 157 kms from Hyderabad, is noted for its beautiful lakes, splendid temples and wildlife. It was once the capital of the legendary Kakatiya Kingdom The Thousand Pillar temple is the most famous perched elegantly on the slopes of the hills of Hanamakonda. There are rock-cut elephants or either side of the main shrine and a Nandi in front which measures 1.8 metres in height.

  Warangal Fort is another masterpiece of the Kakatiye rulers, built in the 12-13th centuries. The fort has two walls, the outer has a circumference of 49 kms, the largest of its kind in India.
  
  The Ramappa temple at Palampet, 64 kms frort Warangal dates back to 1234 A.D. It has rich, intricate sculpture covering walls, pillars, brackets and ceiling depicting scenes from Ramayana and Mahabarath. Kolanupaka is situated mid-point between Hyderabad and Warangal where stands a 2000 year old Jain Mahavir temple with a 1.5 meters high jade image of Mahavira. The Sree Veeranarayana temple, Sri Someswara Temple and Kolanupaka Museum are also nearby.
  
  

• MEDAK , situated at a distance of 100 kms from Hyderabad, has a beautiful Cathedral built in Gothic style with gloriously coloured stained glass windows. The construction of this Church was taken up in 1914 and the building operations continued for 10 years. The Cathedral is 60.96 metres high and accommodates 5,000 people at a time. The tower over the entrance is 53.34 metres.