Hyderabad city needs no special introduction for its popular temples, attracting devotees from far and wide. The city is considered home for many landmark temples, which are quite popular with visitors. There are two temples, in the locality of Banjara Hills, which belong to the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism.

Swayambu Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

There is an ancient Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple located on a hillock in Banjara Hills on Road No. 12. The temple's presiding deity Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy is an ancient Swayam Vyakta Deity (Swayambhu) that appeared on a Udbhava Shila in a standing posture which is very rare. The deity is said to be dating back to 7th century or 8th Century AD and discovered by devotees about 400 years back. In the year 1907, Maharaja Sri Krishna Prasad Jagirdar donated land to the extent of 47.19 acres to the Presiding Deity, and the temple has come under the purview of the endowment department since 1993. The temple was adopted by Yadagiri Gutta shrine in the year 2002. The management of this temple was handed over to the Hare Krishna Movement in the year 2011.

The magnificent golden temple was therefore built in the last few years with a fund of 15 crores. Devotees have donated a unique saligramam to this shrine. It is one of the largest saligramas in the world and it is believed to contain the water of River Ganges. The name of this unique Shila is "Jala Garbha Narayana Saligrama Shila” which reportedly took millions of years to form in a river called Gandaki (in Nepal), and it is a unique blessing that it has arrived at this Kshetram. Under the supervision of Hare Krishna movement, prayers are offered while special pujas are performed at this shrine. Devotees offer prayers to Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy to remove all obstacles and receive blessings for health, and happiness.

Jagannath Temple

The Jagannath Temple in Hyderabad, constructed by the Odiya community of the city is dedicated to the Lord Jagannath. The temple located close to Road no.12, Banjara hills in Hyderabad is also popular for its annual Rathayatra which is attended by thousands of devotees. The word ‘Jagannath’ means the ‘Lord of the Universe’. The temple was completed in the year 2009 and since it lies in the heart of Hyderabad City, it is well-accessible by road.

The sanctum sanctorum of this temple is the abode of Lord Jagannath, an incarnation of revered Lord Vishnu. The temple in Hyderabad is believed to be a replica of the original and popular Jagannath Temple located in Puri, Odisha state both in terms of context and also design. The highlight of the Jagannath temple, Hyderabad is the "Shikhara", the peak, which measures nearly 70 feet in height. The red colour of the temple complex is due to the extensive usage of sand stone. The breath-taking temple impresses tourists and devotees with its exclusive architecture, reflecting the sublime and the ultimate.