Osman Sagar: A Must Visit in Hyderabad

Osman Sagar, popularly known as Gandipet, is one of the major tourist attractions of Hyderabad. Osman Sagar popularly known as Gandipet, is a reservoir in the Indian city of Hyderabad. It is a lake cum reservoir which is spread around 46 square km and the stretch of this water body is around 29 km. The lake is surrounded by a picturesque terrain with beautiful rocks, lush green tree cover, flora and fauna.

Osman Sagar Lake, which we all know as Gandipet is a relief spot within the extended Hyderabad city. A cool driveway of about 45 mins to 1 hr from the center of Hyderabad would reach you to a serene landscape, where the lake would be visible with the sky at its end. The lake consists of some beautiful rocks scattered here and there and to have different views of the lake, the place is rich with a nice viewpoint made of bricks where you have to climb a few brick-made steps and get the full view of the city at one direction and the entire lake at the other. The other two directions would give a spectacular view of a canal with lush green tree cover and trees with enticing flowers.

The place has a corridor which is now been protected by metal framed wire-mash but you can see the beauty as it is as that gives you an elevated view to the place as a whole.

There are two beautifully landscaped parks where children can play to their wish. The park too has a nice and rare collection of trees with a rich combination of flowers.

On the other side of the viewpoint there is an open space made of flat rocks from where you can get another part of the place to see.
Earlier there used to be an open restaurant for the visitors, but to keep the crowd and crime in control, they have removed it and placed a police control room instead, which though ensures a level of security, is a heartbreak for the visitors.

The lake is full in the season of monsoon and you get to see Flemingos if you are among the lucky few.

When the sun sets, the place is filled with the chirps of different birds and you can get back to your place driving through a lovely route.

The Government has created two nice childrens' parks right at the bank of the lake. Ideal for family trips, school or group picnics, Gandipet has always been a hot spot for tourists who visit Hyderabad.

The place has been developed as a major tourist attraction as it is surrounded by plenty of eateries, restaurants, resorts and amusement parks. It is a pleasure drive way too.

But side by side, real estate is taking its big bites on the place, and the spot is losing out its boundaries too fast. Before it loses its beauty, visitors to Hyderabad must have a visit to this place and enjoy the natural beauty and peace it has in its treasure.

Travel Tips

The parks close down sharply at 6 pm. To avoid an early shutdown to the visit, it is recommendable to reach there at your earliest, and preferably in the early afternoon. Carry your food inside the park, if required but please don't litter around. Going near the water is prohibited asit is a good habitat for the crocodiles.

How to Reach

To reach Osman Sagar (Gandipet) from Hyderabad, one has to take the route from Mehdipatnam Ring Road towards Old Mumbai Highway. From Nanal Nagar one has to take the first exist and continue till Langar House Road. Continuing on the same road by taking the Langar House Flyover, the Osman Sagar Road will arrive after going for 7 Kms. From the round about one has to take the 1st exit to Gandipet Main Road. After continuing for 5mins, a left turn would take you to the spot.

Activities

There is a childrens' park and a general one. From both the parks you can get the full view of the lake and enjoy the peace and beauty, which you must b missing in the city. The brick-made viewpoint is a good spot for photography and you can explore the place, if you love adventure. There are two amusement parks nearby, which are worth visiting, namely, Ocean Park and Treasure Island.

Timings & Season

The lake is full in the season of monsoon, so the ideal timing to visit it is from June to September. But in winter season too, it will make a good day out for a family, especially for the children to bask in the soft sunlight till it gets dark.

History

Osman Sagar was made as a dam, on the bank of the Musi River in 1920 by the last Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan, on whom it is named. The dam was created to provide the city of Hyderabad an additional source of drinking water and to protect it after the Great Musi Flood of 1908.