On the western bank of Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad, spread across 36 acres where the Secretariat complex meets the waterfront, NTR Gardens is the city’s quieter alternative to the adjacent Lumbini Park’s laser shows and boat queues. Named for Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao — the legendary Telugu actor who became Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh and remains one of the most beloved public figures in Telangana and Andhra history — the garden was developed as part of the Buddha Purnima Project’s broader Hussain Sagar lakefront beautification initiative and opened to the public on December 15, 2001.
At ₹20 for adults, it is one of the most affordable recreational spaces in Hyderabad, and at 36 acres with a Japanese Garden, Desert Garden, floral clock, bonsai collection, toy train, miniature monorail, waterfall, and multiple themed restaurants, it offers more per rupee than most parks of this type in any Indian city.
NTR Gardens Hyderabad Ticket Price 2026 — Entry Fee
| Category | Entry Fee |
| Adults | ₹20 per person |
| Children | ₹10 per person |
| Children below 5 years | Free |
NTR Garden ticket is INR 20 for adults and free for children below 5 years.
Photography charges:
- Still camera: ₹30 per camera. Video camera: ₹65 per camera.
Personal mobile phone photography is free throughout the garden.
NTR Gardens — Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | NTR Memorial Gardens (N T Rama Rao Gardens) |
| Address | NTR Marg, Central Secretariat, Khairatabad, Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500004 |
| Managed By | Buddha Purnima Project Authority (BPPA) / Telangana Tourism |
| Opened | December 15, 2001 |
| Area | 36 acres |
| Developed At Cost | ~₹40 crore |
| Adult Entry | ₹20 |
| Children Entry | ₹10 |
| Below 5 years | Free |
| Weekday Timings | 2:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Sunday / Holiday Timings | 12:30 PM – 8:30 PM |
| Distance from Hussain Sagar Buddha Statue | Visible from park; boats accessible |
| Nearest Landmark | Central Secretariat, Opposite Lumbini Park |
NTR Gardens Timings 2026
| Day | Opening | Closing |
| Monday to Saturday | 2:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
| Sunday and Public Holidays | 12:30 PM | 8:30 PM |
NTR Gardens opens at 2:30 PM on weekdays and at 12:30 PM on Sundays. The later weekday opening means the park is primarily an afternoon and evening destination — suited to the Hyderabad rhythm of evening outings, particularly given the city’s heat in daytime hours.
Evening crowds: NTR Garden is normally crowded in the evening and almost empty in the morning (morning access is not available). The most pleasant visiting window is between 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM when the temperature drops, the lake catches evening light, and the garden’s fountain and floral installations are fully lit.
History — A Memorial to a Legend
NTR Gardens was built in memory of Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (January 28, 1923 – January 18, 1996) — a figure whose cultural and political significance in Telugu-speaking India is difficult to overstate.
As a film actor across a 30-year career (1949–1982), NTR appeared in over 300 films, most famously as mythological characters — Lord Krishna, Arjuna, Bhishma, Duryodhana — in adaptations of the Mahabharata and Ramayana that defined how millions of Telugu-speaking people visualised these figures. His portrayals of Lord Krishna in particular are considered canonical in the Telugu cultural imagination.
In 1982, NTR left acting to found the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) — a regional party based on Telugu pride and dignity rather than Congress affiliation. Within nine months of founding the party, he won the 1983 Andhra Pradesh elections by a landslide and became Chief Minister. He served as Chief Minister three times (1983–1984, 1984–1989, 1994–1995) and is credited with making the Telugu Desam the first successful regional party to break Congress dominance in a major Indian state.
NTR died in January 1996, aged 72. The construction of NTR Gardens on the Hussain Sagar waterfront was part of a larger effort to memorialize him alongside the NTR Trust and related institutions.
The gardens were officially opened to the public on 15 December 2001 as part of the Buddha Purnima Project aimed at beautifying the Hussain Sagar lakefront.
What to See and Do at NTR Gardens
Japanese Garden
One of the park’s most distinctive sections. The Japanese Garden was designed with traditional Japanese garden principles — controlled asymmetry, rock groupings, raked gravel areas, small water bodies, and carefully pruned trees. The Japanese garden and the floral clock were fantastic subjects for photographers.
The bonsai collection within the Japanese Garden is among its most popular elements — specimens grown over decades, displayed with information about their training history.
Desert Garden
A Desert Garden, the brainchild of Mr. Nitish Roy, consists of about 150 plant varieties, mainly desert plants such as cacti, succulents, and others of medicinal importance brought from various parts of India including Kolkata and Shirdi.
The Desert Garden serves as an unusual botanical education exhibit within an urban park — most visitors are surprised by the variety of desert plant life and the medicinal context provided by information plaques beside each specimen.
Floral Clock
A large decorative clock whose face is formed by seasonal flowers planted in colour-coordinated patterns. A recurring element of the NTR Gardens identity and one of the most photographed elements in the park. The pattern changes with seasons, and the upkeep of the floral display is part of the garden’s horticultural programme.
Toy Train (Monorail)
A monorail runs as a joy-ride across the park — a single-track miniature train system that circuits the garden providing visitors with a sitting tour of the full 36-acre property. Particularly useful for families with young children and senior visitors who want to see the park without extensive walking. Separate charge applies.
Roaring Cascade (Waterfall)
An artificial waterfall within the garden grounds. The cascading waterfall lures visitors and is a major attraction. Children congregate near the cascade; the sound of falling water creates a natural focal point within the garden.
Fountain Show
A musical fountain aligned with the garden’s water features. The fountain display runs during evening hours and is particularly effective after 7:00 PM when the lighting enhances the water effects. Evening fountain shows with illuminated spray patterns are one of the most recommended evening experiences within the garden.
Children’s Play Area
A dedicated area for younger children with age-appropriate equipment including swings, slides, climbing structures, and activity boards.
NTR Memorial
The garden includes a dedicated memorial to N T Rama Rao — a statue and commemorative installation that honours his contributions both to Telugu cinema and to Andhra/Telangana political history. Visitors who know NTR’s significance find this the most emotionally resonant element of the park.
Dining and Restaurants
NTR Gardens has received notable attention for its unusually creative restaurant designs — each built in the shape of something other than a standard building:
Fruit Restaurant: An on-ground restaurant accommodated in a building that resembles fruits — the architectural novelty is one of the park’s distinctive design elements, covering a 2,000-square-metre area. Serves Indian and South Indian cuisine.
Car Café: A casual food and beverage space designed around an automotive theme — part of the same architectural playfulness as the fruit restaurant.
Machan Restaurant: Located in a tree-shaped building — a restaurant built to resemble a tree, offering elevated dining within its canopy-simulating structure.
The food quality at NTR Gardens restaurants is consistently rated as adequate rather than exceptional — the atmosphere (lakeside garden, creative architecture, evening setting) is the primary draw. Expect standard Indian restaurant fare at moderate prices.
Hussain Sagar Lake Access
NTR Gardens is directly adjacent to Hussain Sagar Lake, and the lakefront promenade connecting NTR Gardens to Lumbini Park (and beyond to Necklace Road) is accessible from the garden’s eastern boundary.
Boating: Boating facilities to venture into the adjoining Hussain Sagar Lake are available from near NTR Gardens. Boats to the famous rock-cut Buddha statue on the island in the centre of Hussain Sagar are accessible here — the standard ferry fare is ₹55 per adult.
Combined visits: NTR Gardens and Lumbini Park are approximately 200 to 300 metres apart on the same lakefront. An evening visit combining both — starting at NTR Gardens for the garden experience and then crossing to Lumbini Park for the 7:15 PM laser show — is one of Hyderabad’s most efficient evening itineraries.
How to Reach NTR Gardens Hyderabad
Address: NTR Marg, Central Secretariat, Khairatabad, Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500004. Directly opposite the Secretariat building on the lakefront.
By Metro: The Assembly Metro Station (Blue Line) is approximately 800 metres to 1 km from NTR Gardens — a 10-minute walk or short auto ride.
By Bus: Multiple TSRTC routes serve the Secretariat / Central Secretariat area. Ask for “NTR Gardens” or “Secretariat” stops.
By Cab: Ola and Uber available throughout Hyderabad. Set destination “NTR Gardens Hyderabad Khairatabad.”
By Auto: From Lakdi Ka Pul or Secretariat area — approximately ₹30–₹60 by auto.
Parking: Limited on NTR Marg; nearby parking available at Secretariat Road.
Best Time to Visit
October to February: Hyderabad’s cooler evenings (18°C to 28°C) make the lakeside garden experience most comfortable. The combination of cool air, garden fragrance, and Hussain Sagar’s evening glow is most pleasant in this season.
Evening (5:30 PM – 8:30 PM): The park is at its best in the evening — the afternoon heat subsides, the fountain show is active, the floral clock is lit, and the lake surface reflects the city lights. The park is least crowded between 5:30 and 6:30 PM on weekdays.
Sundays (12:30 PM onwards): The only day the park opens for afternoon visits. A full Sunday afternoon here combined with the Lumbini Park laser show at 7:15 PM makes an excellent day plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the NTR Gardens Hyderabad ticket price in 2026?
Adults ₹20; Children ₹10; Children below 5 free. Camera: ₹30 (still); ₹65 (video). Separate charges apply for the toy train, monorail, and specific activities inside.
Q2. What are NTR Gardens timings?
Weekdays (Monday to Saturday): 2:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Sundays and public holidays: 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Q3. What is the nearest metro station to NTR Gardens Hyderabad?
Assembly Metro Station (Blue Line) — approximately 800 metres to 1 km from the garden entrance.
Q4. What is the difference between NTR Gardens and Lumbini Park?
They are adjacent lakefront parks on opposite sides of the same road. Lumbini Park (₹20 entry) specialises in the 7:15 PM laser show, boat rides to the Buddha statue, and musical fountain. NTR Gardens (₹20 entry) offers a larger garden experience with the Japanese Garden, Desert Garden, bonsai collection, creative architecture restaurants, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Most visitors combine both.
Q5. Is NTR Gardens suitable for senior citizens?
Yes. Paved pathways are wheelchair and stroller friendly. The toy train/monorail provides seated access to the entire park. The garden is flat with no significant elevation changes.
