💎 Necklace Road
PV Narasimha Rao Marg – Hyderabad's Boulevard of Dreams on Hussain Sagar's Shores
Hyderabad's Prized Promenade: A drive along this long boulevard is a great way to unwind in an otherwise hectic metropolis. The Necklace Road inherits its name from the way the road curves around Hyderabad's Tank Bund, resembling a beautiful necklace when seen from the sky. This long stretch of road connects NTR Gardens and Lumbini Park in Hyderabad to Sanjeevaiah Park in Secunderabad, creating a seamless ribbon of green and blue through the city's heart.
Often called Hyderabad's Marine Drive, the boulevard is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Be it your first date, a romantic night drive, a girls' catch-up zone, senior citizens' walking area, early morning cricket sessions, or just whiling away time – Necklace Road has always been there for every Hyderabadi.
🏷️ Name Origin – A Necklace from the Sky
💎 Why "Necklace Road"? The road from Sanjeevaiah Park connects to the Tank Bund Road, which in turn connects to NTR Gardens, completing a circle. This stretch of road, along with the Tank Bund, appears in the form of a necklace as seen from the sky – and hence the name. When lit up in the evening, the road looks like a string of pearls, adding to its jewelry-inspired name.
Renaming to PV Narasimha Rao Marg (2021): On 30 May 2021, the Telangana state Cabinet voted to rename the 5.5-kilometer Necklace Road after former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. The decision was made to mark the end of the centennial festivities of PV Narasimha Rao's birth anniversary. The road is now officially known as PV Narasimha Rao Marg (PVNR Marg). However, locals continue to affectionately call it Necklace Road – a name that has become part of Hyderabad's cultural lexicon.
📜 History – A Vision of Urban Beautification
Inception (1982): Necklace Road was established in 1982 by the then-Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh, Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy, under the Congress administration. The project was conceived as part of Hyderabad's urban beautification and tourism development initiatives around Hussain Sagar Lake.
Further Development: The project was further developed by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government led by N. T. Rama Rao, who installed the iconic Buddha statue in the middle of Hussain Sagar. Later, when N. Chandrababu Naidu became Chief Minister, he launched a number of development projects and significantly improved Necklace Road.
Key Milestones: Over the years, the area has evolved into an important recreational zone featuring parks, entertainment centers, and restaurants. The development helped transform the Hussain Sagar lakefront into a major tourism hub in the city.
🔄 The Necklace Circuit – Connecting the Twin Cities
The Necklace Road forms a complete circuit around the Hussain Sagar lake when combined with Tank Bund. The route connects:
- NTR Gardens – The 36-acre memorial garden dedicated to N. T. Rama Rao
- Lumbini Park – The 7.5-acre park with laser shows and musical fountains
- Tank Bund – The historic embankment road with 34 bronze statues of Telugu icons
- Sanjeevaiah Park – The 92-acre public park on the Secunderabad side
This complete circuit, when viewed from above, forms the shape of a necklace – giving the road its iconic name.
🎡 Attractions and Highlights
🌳 Lush Parks Along the Route
The boulevard connects to several beautiful parks that provide open spaces and a calm environment:
- NTR Gardens – 36-acre memorial garden with NTR museum, mini train, and Desert Garden
- Lumbini Park – 7.5-acre park with laser auditorium and musical fountain show
- Sanjeevaiah Park – 92-acre public green space with rose garden and rock sculptures, popular as "Lover Park"
- Jalavihar – Family amusement park with water games and slides
🚤 Boating on Hussain Sagar Lake
Boating is one of the most popular activities on Necklace Road. There are two boarding points – one at Necklace Road itself and another at Lumbini Park. Visitors can enjoy:
- Speed boating for an adrenaline rush
- Regular pedal boating for a relaxed experience
- Evening boat rides to see the illuminated Buddha statue
- Photography opportunities of the city skyline from the water
🍽️ Dining on the Waterfront
🍴 Eat Street and Water Front: The Necklace Road is bejewelled with a wide array of recreational activities along with umpteen numbers of restaurants and eat-outs. You will also find many stalls of ice cream, tea, and other snacks. There are stalls of balloons and toys for kids. The stretch of lush green lawns acts as a perfect area where people can be seen sitting out with kids and families.
Water Front is a well-known restaurant offering more buffets and a variety of cuisines, while Eat Street is more of a fast-food joint. Both offer stunning views of the lake along with the city. For those looking for a fine dining experience, there is a waterfront restaurant offering a beautiful setting to relish your meal.
🎪 People's Plaza – A Cultural Hub
People's Plaza is a recreational area located on this boulevard which is busy throughout the year with exhibitions, music shows, sports, games, and cultural performances. Local artists and musicians showcase their talents, creating a lively atmosphere that invites you to join in the fun.
🎨 Tank Bund – The 34 Bronze Statues
The Tank Bund stretch of Necklace Road is famous for 34 well-sculpted bronze statues of Telugu cultural icons, including Komaram Bheem, Rudrama Devi, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Sri Krishnadevaraya, Annamacharya, Yogi Vemana, and many others. These statues, mounted on high platforms, commemorate people who played iconic roles in the development of Hyderabad and Telugu culture.
🚴 Recreation and Activities
Morning Bliss – Walks, Jogs & Cycling
As the sun rises, Necklace Road awakens with a gentle glow, inviting early risers to enjoy its tranquil atmosphere. The well-maintained pathways lined with lush greenery make for a perfect setting to stretch your legs and soak in the natural beauty. Morning walkers and joggers frequent the boulevard, and it also hosts marathon events. For those seeking more excitement, cycling along Necklace Road is a fantastic way to cover more ground while enjoying the fresh air.
Evening Magic – Sunset Views and Street Food
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, Necklace Road transforms into a magical setting filled with vibrant colors. The evening is the perfect time to unwind and soak in the breathtaking views of the lake as it reflects the stunning sunset hues. For the most awe-inspiring sunset views, head to the lakeside viewpoints – the area near the Buddha statue is particularly popular. The food scene comes alive with street food stalls offering spicy chaats, grilled kebabs, and the local favorite – irresistible shawarmas.
Nighttime Relaxation – Romantic Walks and Live Music
As the stars twinkle above, Necklace Road offers a serene escape. The gentle sounds of water lapping against the shore create a soothing soundtrack as you take a leisurely stroll along the illuminated pathways. For couples, a romantic walk is a must – the soft glow of streetlights and the shimmering reflections on the lake set the scene for a cozy evening. Several venues along the road host live music and performances, creating an inviting atmosphere for a night out.
📸 A Photographer's Paradise
Necklace Road is a photographer's dream. The best photography spots include:
- Sunrise over Hussain Sagar – Capturing the first rays of light on the lake
- Sunset with the Buddha statue – The statue silhouetted against the colorful sky
- Night lights on Tank Bund – The illuminated statues and string lights
- The circular views – Capturing the necklace-like curve from elevated viewpoints
🏛️ Nearby Attractions
⏰ Visitor Information
📍 Address
Necklace Road / PVNR Marg
Raj Nagar, Khairatabad,
Hyderabad, Telangana – 500040
🕐 Timings
Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:30 PM
(Public road, accessible 24/7; attractions have specific timings)
💰 Entry Fee
Free (No entry fee for the road itself)
Individual attractions like parks and boating have separate fees.
🚗 How to Reach
Metro: Lakdi-ka-pul, Assembly, and Khairatabad stations (Red Line)
MMTS Train: Necklace Road Railway Station (approx. 1 km)
Bus: Well connected by TSRTC buses to Khairatabad and Secretariat
Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (approx. 34 km)
📅 Best Time to Visit
Evening (4 PM – 8 PM): Sunset views and illuminated attractions
Early Morning (6 AM – 8 AM): Peaceful walks and jogging
October – March: Most pleasant weather
⏰ Recommended Visit Duration: Visitors typically spend 1 to 3 hours at Necklace Road, combining a walk with boating, dining, and exploring the nearby parks. To cover multiple attractions like Lumbini Park, NTR Gardens, and boating, plan for a half-day visit (3-4 hours).
📸 Photography Tips: The best time for photography is during the "golden hour" (just before sunset) when the sky is golden and the lake reflects the warm light. The blue hour (just after sunset) is perfect for capturing the illuminated Buddha statue and the string lights along Tank Bund. For panoramic shots, position yourself near the center of the boulevard to capture the curve of the road. The 34 bronze statues on Tank Bund are best photographed in the late afternoon when the sun highlights their features.
💚 Heart of the World: The lake that Necklace Road curves around – Hussain Sagar – was declared the "Heart of the World" by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on 27 September 2012. It is the world's largest heart-shaped mark on the face of the earth. When the road lit up at night curves around this heart-shaped lake, it truly looks like a glowing necklace adorning the heart of Hyderabad.
✨ Key Features Summary
- Official Name: PV Narasimha Rao Marg (PVNR Marg) – renamed May 2021
- Popular Name: Necklace Road (from its necklace-like shape when viewed from above)
- Length: Approximately 3 kilometers (1.16 km main boulevard + extended circuit)
- Location: Along eastern shore of Hussain Sagar Lake, Khairatabad
- Built: Established 1982 by Kotla Vijayabhaskar Reddy
- Developed By: N. T. Rama Rao (Buddha statue), N. Chandrababu Naidu (further development)
- Maintained By: GHMC & HMDA
- Nickname: Hyderabad's Marine Drive
- Key Parks Connected: NTR Gardens, Lumbini Park, Sanjeevaiah Park, Jalavihar
- Major Restaurants: Eat Street (fast food), Water Front (buffet), various lakeside cafes
- Key Activities: Boating, walking, jogging, cycling, photography, dining, cultural events
- Tank Bund Statues: 34 bronze statues of Telugu cultural icons
- Nearest Metro: Lakdi-ka-pul, Assembly (Red Line)
- Nearest MMTS: Necklace Road Railway Station
📚 References & More Information
- Wikipedia – Necklace Road / PVNR Marg
- Sakshi Post – Necklace Road Renamed as PV Narasimha Rao Marg
- Hyderabad Tourism – Necklace Road
- Times of India – Necklace Road Travel Guide
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