IndiFest

Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India. Located in what is historically known as the Awadh region, Lucknow is one of the most beautiful and charming cities of Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as the Golden city of the East, Shiraz-I-Hind, the Constantinople of India and most notably, The City of Nawabs.

Lucknow boasts of majestic monuments, exquisite cuisines and the historic buildings makes this city unique in nature and certainly worth a visit. It is also among the fastest growing cities in India and is emerging as a manufacturing, commercial and retailing hub. The unique combination of its cultural grace and newly acquired pace is its most promising feature that augurs well for the future.

Places to visit in and around Lucknow

  Lucknow is a very beautiful city that still retains its age-old charm. A tour to Lucknow will be a really memorable one. Though Lucknow itself has many places to visit, some of the places around the city are also worth travelling to.

Bara Imambara:

Bara Imambara is an imambara complex in Lucknow, built by Asaf-ud-Daulah, Nawab of Lucknow in 1784. It is also called the Asaf Imambara. It is among the most popular attractions of Lucknow. The complex includes a large mosque, the bhulbulayah (the labyrinth) and a bowli, a step well with running water. It’s an excellent location to revisit memories of the 17^th and 18^th century rulers.

Chota Imambara:

Also known as Hussainabad Imambara, Chota Imambara is the brainchild of Mohammad Ali Shah and was built in 1837. It is an imposing monument located in the city of Lucknow. In the complex are many tombs. It is also known as the Palace of Lights because of its decorating during special festivals. There are some amazing facts of this unique monument. The chandeliers used to decorate the interior of this building were brought from Belgium. It has a gilded white dome and several other minarets. The tombs of Mohammad Ali Shah and other members of his family are inside the imambara. The walls are decorated with Arabic calligraphy. Outside the imambara is the watch tower called Satkhana, meaning tower of seven storeys, which in fact has only four storeys

Rumi Darwaza:

Located in the northwest of Bara Imambara, this important landmark was built in 1783. It is an example of Awadhi architecture. It is adjacent to the Asafi Imambara and has become a logo for the city of Lucknow. Being an entrance to the city, Russell, the reporter of The New York Times had called the stretch of road from Rumi Darwaza to Chattar Manzil the most beautiful and spectacular cityscape that he had ever seen, better than Rome, Paris and London. The Rumi Darwaza stands sixty feet tall, and is visited by a lot of travellers.

Sikandar Bagh:

Sikandar Bagh, built by the last Nawab of Oudh, Wajid Ali Shah is a villa and garden enclosed by a fortified wall, with loopholes, gateway and corner bastions. This place has a slice of history behind its construction. It is named as such because of the Nawab’s favourite wife Sikandar Mahal Begum. It was stormed in 1857 by the British during the Indian Mutiny and witnessed the slaughter of all 2200 sepoy mutineers during their siege of Lucknow. The site now houses the National Research Institute of India.

Clock Tower:

The clock tower is located very near to the Rumi Darwaza. Built in 1881 by the British, this 67-metre high tower on the river Gomti is said to be the tallest clock tower in India. The tower features European style artwork. The part of the clock is built of pure gunmetal and the pendulum hangs 14 feet. The dial of this clock is shaped like a 12-petalled flower and has bells around it. This is one of the most towering monuments in Lucknow and is quite a favourite with tourists who visit this city.

Lucknow Zoo:

Located in the heart of the capital city of Lucknow, the Zoo is large in size and a very popular attraction for visitors and residents of the city alike. The zoo receives around 10 lakh visitors annually. The Lucknow zoo is home to 400 mammals, 260 birds, 40 reptiles, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, White Tiger, Lion, Wolf, Indian Rhinoceros, Black Buck, Swamp Deer, Barking Deer, Asiatic Elephant, Otters, Giant Squirrels and many more. A toy train that covers almost every section of the zoo is a major attraction for children. All in all, the zoo is a must-visit place for animal lovers.

State Museum, Lucknow:

The Uttar Pradesh State Museum, or simply called the Lucknow State Museum is situated in a contemporary three storey building at Banarasigarh. It is a multipurpose museum. It houses an extensive array of collections comprising of sculptures, bronzes, paintings, natural history and anthropological specimens, coins, textiles and decorative arts. It is touted among the oldest museums of the state and richest in the country. It is a really good place to see the rich collection of artefacts and memorabilia of which the numismatic, handicrafts and natural history sections attract special attention.

Thus, Lucknow can be regarded as a relatively attractive place with a list of interesting spots to visit. Exploring north India without a trip to this splendid city is rather incomplete. It does ample justice to the name- The City of Nawabs. Go and have an ultimately refreshing experience.

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