India marked 20 years of Earth Hour as iconic monuments went dark
Hyderabad joined cities across India and the world in observing Earth Hour , with several iconic landmarks switching off their lights from 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Saturday to highlight environmental conservation and responsible energy use.
In the Telangana capital, prominent sites such as Charminar , Golconda Fort , and the Telangana Secretariat dimmed their illumination during the one-hour observance. Citizens, institutions and government offices also participated by turning off non-essential lighting and electrical appliances during the same period, demonstrating collective support for climate action.
Earth Hour, organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) , encourages individuals, communities and institutions worldwide to voluntarily switch off lights for one hour every year. The initiative aims to raise awareness about climate change, biodiversity loss and the need for sustainable energy consumption .
The observance in Hyderabad formed part of a nationwide participation in the campaign, with several major landmarks across India going dark between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm .
In New Delhi , monuments such as India Gate , Red Fort and Qutub Minar switched off their lighting during the designated hour. According to power distribution officials, the capital collectively saved 216 MW of electricity during the period. The BSES discoms reported savings of 174 MW, while Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) said its consumers alone contributed about 73 MW by turning off non-essential lights.
Other heritage sites in the capital, including Akshardham , Humayun’s Tomb , Jantar Mantar and Safdarjung Tomb , also participated in the hour-long switch-off, reflecting the involvement of monuments protected by the Archaeological Survey of India .
Similar symbolic observances were reported in other cities. In Mumbai , landmarks such as the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus went dark between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm , while the Mysore Palace in Karnataka also switched off its lighting for the same duration as part of the global initiative.
Environmental groups said the annual event serves as a reminder that collective action by citizens, institutions and governments can help reduce energy consumption and strengthen public awareness about climate change and sustainability.