Gautam Buddha monolith in the middle of Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad

Hussain Sagar is a lake in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, built by Hazrat Hussain Shah Wali in 1562, during the rule of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah. It was 5.7 square kilometres built on a tributary of the River Musi to meet the water and irrigation needs of the city. There is a large monolithic statue of the Gautam Buddha in the middle of the lake which was erected in 1992. At the end of the Hussain Sagar one can find the Masjid and Dargah of Sayedani Maa Tomb. 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.

An 18-meter high monolithic statue of Lord Buddha towers over the lake from atop the Rock of Gibraltar. The idea of erecting a giant monolith Buddha statue in the midst of Hussain Sagar Lake on the Gibraltar rock was a part of the Buddha Poornima project in 1985. The statue was chiseled out of a white granite rock, weighting 450 tons. It was carved by 200 sculptors for two years. The statue was transported to Hyderabad in November 1988. After initial problems, the statue was erected on 12 April 1992 on a red lotus pedestal. Attached to it, Lumbini Park was inaugurated with musical fountains, bonsai plants and a boat ride from Lumbini Park to the statue. The whole atmosphere reflects peace and perseverance.

Source: Wikipedia

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