Spread over 25 acres of garden, Sitaram Bagh Temple is a beautiful shrine in
Hyderabad. It is a fine blend of different architectural styles including South Indian, Rajasthani,
Mughal and European. Built by Puranmal Ganeriwala, a banker, in 1830s, the temple complex is surrounded by a 20 ft high wall, lending it a fort-like appearance.
The main sanctum sanctorum enshrines the marble images of Lord Ram and Sita. There are also shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Lakshmi and Varadarajaswamy within the complex.
The shrine is noted for its imposing gateways, in three directions – east, west and south. The main gateway is located on the Mallepally – Mangalhat and is adorned with an exquisite gopuram resting on two walls, which in turn have balconies with European features. The temple complex is entered through a zigzag path and one comes through a series of quadrangular courtyards, each noted for its architectural grandeur.
Most noteworthy features are a canopied overhanging balcony in Rajasthani style, a stone mandapam in South Indian style, three step wells and numerous inns and rooms with facades adorned with stucco decorations. A pair of fluted domed pavilions in Indo-European style, constructed in memory of Puranmal and his son, Premsukh Dasji, adds to the splendor.
