On Sunday, the day we arrived, a visit to the Birla Mandir temple. It is a Hindu temple devoted to the god Lord Venkateshwaran. Visiting on barefoot. No shoes, food items, cameras, or video recorders, are allowed. People of all beliefs and denominations are welcome though.
It is a big marble temple with statues of gods here and there. I would say that tourists are outnumbered by worshippers. The greatest attraction is at the top and is of course a statue of the Lord Venkateshwaran himself.
Wonderful frieses, although somewhat stereotypical at times. Plenty of symbols. At one place an old Hindu symbol has been placed behind plexiglass. Since WWII, the swastika has taken on a different meaning, and needs to be protected when shown in its Hindu context. The swastika is not uncommon as a decoration on handicraft items.
On warm days the hot marble stones can be quite unbearable, and standing still is impossible. Fortunately it is allowed to keep your socks. Today this was not a problem.
Incense, statuettes of gods, and different items of varying degrees of kitsch can be purchased in a nearby shoppe.
The sight over Hyderabad, including the Hussain Sagar, or Tank Bund, lake is revealing. The city just goes on and on.
This part of Andrah Pradesh is called the Deccan plateau. Surroundings are striking. When the landscape eventually shows, it is characterized by small hills of round stones on top of each other, and other well rounded rocks of peculiar shapes. It is difficult to believe that they were not put there on purpose. The landscape looks eerie and non-earthly.
The Birla Mandir temple sits on such a hill, but it is difficult at first to see its structure.