Buddha Statue of Hyderabad

The Buddha Statue of Hyderabad is a large stone figure carved from white granite that stands on an artificial island in Hussain Sagar Lake, rising 18 meters (59 feet) above the water surface. The figure shows Buddha in a seated meditation pose with a broad base that supports the total weight of 450 tons and is visible from all shoreline points around the lake.

The figure was shaped in Ghaziabad during the late 1980s and transported to Hyderabad in 1990, where it initially sank while being loaded into the lake before being successfully placed on the island in 1992. The project was initiated by the state government to create a central location for meditation and religious reflection.

Visitors often see people from different communities come here to meditate or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. The white stone figure attracts both Buddhist pilgrims and families who sit on the steps of the small island and look out over the water.

Boats run regularly from several jetties along Necklace Road to the island monument, with the crossing taking around 15 minutes. Visitors should bring sun protection as the island offers little shade and the granite stone reflects heat strongly in the afternoon.

The sculpture follows the regional Amaravati style, a sculptural tradition that emerged around 2000 years ago in the Andhra Pradesh region and is known for soft facial features and simple drapery folds. The artificial island itself was specifically engineered to support the massive figure and is recognizable from the shore by its rectangular platform.