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Lucknow - The name can be traced to the epic Ramayana.
After 14 years of exile when Lord Ramchandra returned to Ayodhya, he gifted
this place to his younger brother Lakshman. Lakshman is believed to have
stayed in Lakshman Teela, a high ground near the banks of the river Gomti.
Later the region was named after him; 'Lucknow' is derived from the name
Lakshman. There are other stories that do the rounds: Lucknow was named
after a very influential person called 'Lakhan Ahir' who built the fort 'Qila
Lakhan'. The name 'Qila Lakhan' later became Lucknow. Some other source says
that one Lakhu Khan who was earlier a non-Muslim by name Laxman Singh has
lent his name to Lucknow.
Lucknow, the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow is a city
synonymous with the Nawabi culture. The imperialistic splendor and
magnificence of the nawabi era has been glorified and eulogized down the
ages by writers, poets, and historians alike. At the same time its mystical
elegance and amorous ethos has caught the fascination of many world famous
romantics. Known for its 'Adab' and 'Tahjeeb' (cultural refinement), Lucknow
is also associated with its legendary hospitality, leisurely moods of life,
fabled edifices steeped in history, world-renowned cuisine and exquisite
'Sham-e-Avadh' (Evening in Lucknow). Tremors of time have not effaced
Lucknow of its cultural heritage and traditions, which once contributed in
creating the city incomparable in its times.
Location - Lucknow is Situated in the heart of Uttar Pradesh, 500 km
south-east of New Delhi.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Amausi airport is 14 km from city centre. Daily flights from
Delhi and Tues, Saturday to Mumbai, Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Patna and
Ranchi, daily to Varanasi.
By Rail - Lucknow is serviced by the Northern and NE Railway
networks. Charbagh Station, 3km from town centre.
By Road - Some of the major road distances are Agra-363 km,
Allahabad-210 km, Calcutta-985 km, Delhi-502 km, Kanpur- 80 km,
Khajuraho-320 km, Varanasi-305 km.
WHEN TO GO
Best time to travel Lucknow is between September October.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Bada Imambada - Bada Imambada was built by Asaf-ud-Daula in the
year 1784 as a part of the famine relief project where a number of
labourers were appointed to build this Imambada. It is a big vaulted
hall with a length of 50 m and a height of 15 m. There is also the bhul
bhulaiya-an amazing maze that might need a tourist guide to get through.
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Hussainabad Imambara - This structure houses the
tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah, its builder, and of his mother. Built
between 1837 and 1842, it is also called the Chhota Imambara. It is
approached through a fine garden. The Imambara has a white dome and
numerous turrets and minarets. The walls of the mausoleum are decorated
with verses in Arabic. Chandeliers, gilded mirrors, colorful stucco, the
King's throne and ornate tazia or replicas of the tombs at Karbala adorn
the interior. |
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Residency - Built for the British Resident in
1780-1800, it was originally a very extensive and beautiful building, It
was a scene of dramatic events during the Mutiny of 1857. The scarred
ruins tell the story of the British community besieged by the rebels.
The main house overlooks the river and is surrounded by terraced lawns
and gardens. |
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Picture Gallery - The picture gallery was
built in the 19th century near the clock tower of Husainabad Imambada.
The picture gallery has a number of portraits of almost all the Nawabs
of Lucknow. This picture gallery gives a good insight of the past when
the Nawabs used to be the sole authority of the entire area.
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Jami Masjid - To the western side of the
Husainabad Imambada lies the Jami Masjid. The construction of the Masjid
was started by Mohammed Shah and was completed by his wife after his
death in the 1840s. Jami Masjid is the largest mosque of Lucknow. Though
non-Muslims are not allowed to worship here, one can see the wonderful
paintings on the ceilings with the leaf and fruit bowl patterns. To the
right side of the Bada Imambada lies another mosque named after
Asaf-ud-Daula.
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Rumi Darwaza - Asaf-ud-Daula built a number
of historical monuments during his time. The Rumi Darwaza was also built
as a relief work during the famine of 1783. Said to be a facsimile of
one of the gates of Constantinople, this soaring edifice, which is 60
feet high, can match any similar structure in point of beauty and
splendour. |
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Kaiserbagh Palace Complex - The construction of
the Kaiserbagh Palaces was started in 1848 by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and
completed in 1850. They were built to create the eighth wonder of the
world. The yellow buildings on three sides of the quadrangle, now the
property of Taluqdars, once provided quarters for the ladies of the
harem. In the centre stands the Baradari, a picturesque white stone
edifice which was earlier paved with silver.
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Nearest Places of interest |
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Ayodhya - Just 6 km away from Faizabad is the holy
town Ayodhya where one of the most popular incarnations of Lord Vishnu
and the hero of the epic Ramayana, Lord Ram, was born. It has a large
number of temples all over the town. The atmosphere of the town is
filled with religious fervour and piety.
Ayodhya is easily accessible by buses and taxis that run from the
Lucknow city. Tourists can approach state government buses or private
tour operators who rent out taxis as well as buses on request.
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Kanpur - Kanpur, at a distance of 77 km from
Lucknow, is a modern industrial city of Uttar Pradesh. One of the first
cotton mills of
the country was set up here. Besides, this city also has some historical
monuments to visit. Kanpur is accessible by almost
all the modes of transport from Lucknow of which trains and buses are
the preferred ones.
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Faizabad - Faizabad, situated 124 km from Lucknow, was once the
capital of Avadh. Easily accessible by both trains and buses, this place
houses the Fort Calcutta built by the third Nawab of Avadh,
Suja-ud-Daula. Besides this, one can also visit the mausoleum of Bahu
Begum and Gulab Bari. |
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WHERE TO EAT
Lucknow's most famous food joints adopt the smartest advertising strategy of
all times. No sign-board, no phone lines and no marketing fundas - this
works well for Idris Biryaniwala at Patanala Chowk, Rahim kulche-nahari
eatery at Chowk, the typed to death yet still the best Tunde kebabs at
Akbari Gate, top it off with Naushejaan, Sakhawat, Daal mein Kaala,
Dasterkhwan and you have eateries that are pocket friendly and find pride of
place in national and intertnational good food guides. If money is no
problem then there are also the kakori kebabs to kill for at the Oudhyana,
Taj Residency or the ghazal soaked yummy evening at Falaknuma in l Clarks
Avadh or the sizzler delights at Pavillion at Park Inn.
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