Lucknow is known all over
the world for the tehjeeb or the courteous behaviour of its people.
It is a rare city. Few places in the world are endowed with such rich
cultural traditions, as is this romantic city of the nawabs.
Whether
it is history, architecture, music, dance, handicrafts, etiquette, or
sports, Lucknow has its own story to tell. There is at the same
time a sense of pride at the thought of being after Delhi, the most
important center of power in free India. Politics has indeed been Lucknow's
forte but culture has been its historical identification.
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.
| » Major Attractions of Lucknow |
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Bada Imambada : The Bada Imambada or Asafi
Imambada (Imambada: patriarch's place) is an important tourist attraction of
Lucknow.
It was built by the then Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 to
provide succor to the famine-stricken people. Apart from the
galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork anywhere. The interior
vaulted hall, measuring 162 feet long, 53 feet broad, and 50 feet high is
said to be one of the largest apartments of its kind in the world. From the
outside, a staircase leads to a series of artfully designed labyrinths
(bhoolbhulaiyan) where it is very easy to get lost! You could wander through
the zigzag narrow galleries for hours without finding your way out!
It's
a very eerie sensation, moving towards the sunlit corridors that seem to be
going out, only to find that you are actually deeper in the labyrinth! Most
visitors therefore are only allowed inside with guides who are, quite
amazingly, familiar with the maze. In fact, a favorite trick of all guides
is to tell the visitor that he will be given 15 minutes to find his way out.
Most visitors, needless to say, fail the test! There are also large
underground passages that have now been blocked up. Next to the Imambada, in
the same compound, is a majestic mosque and to its right, a row of cloisters
concealing a huge well, which is said to be fathomless.
Chota Imambada : The Hussainabad or Chota
Imambada is an exquisite building built by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah in 1839
as a burial place for himself. As you enter the compound, you step
into a large courtyard with a rectangular raised tank spanned by a small
bridge. The beautiful Imambada, reflected in the placid water of the tank is
one of the prettier sights in Lucknow. On either side of the courtyards
stand a miniature version of the Taj Mahal.
In one of them lies
buried Zinat Asuja, the daughter of Muhammad Ali Shah and in the other are
preserved the remains of her husband. The walls of the Imambada are
embellished with calligraphic verses in Arabic. The interior of the Imambada
houses an exotic assortment of objects ranging from elaborate chandeliers
and gilded mirrors to tazias made of sandalwood, wax, and paper. A silver
railing encloses the graves of Muhammad Ali Shah and his mother. During
Muharram, both the Imambadas are ablaze with illumination.
Clock Tower : The Hussainabad Clock
Tower, rising to 221 feet, was started in 1880 and completed seven years
later. The clock itself, which was designed by M. J. W. Wanson of
London, is said to be the largest in India. Nearby is the Picture Gallery, a
double-storey redbrick building built by Mohammed Ali Shah as a baradari.
Today, it houses enormous portraits of all the Nawabs of Avadh,
most of which were painted in the late 19th century by European artists. The
portraits, which have recently been restored, give a good insight into the
grand costumes and jewelry favored by the Nawabs.
Kaiser
Bagh Palace : Among the other fabulous monuments of Lucknow are the
Kaiser Bagh Palace, built by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Avadh, who
was robbed of his kingdom by the British and confined in Calcutta where he
spent the last years of his life, pining for his beloved Lucknow. The
buildings are said to have cost around 80 lakhs when they were built in
1850.
Today a great deal of Kaiser Bagh has disappeared (the
destruction took place in the 1857 uprising), but the name still applies to
the historic quadrangle where Wajid Ali Shah, wearing the dress of a
dramatic performer, used to participate in fairs. There are several small
pavilions for the performance of plays. The surrounding yellow buildings
called Lakhi were, at one time, the harem.
| » Fairs & Festivals of Lucknow |
|
Lucknow Mahautsav : A 10 day program begins
on the 25th November and ends on the 5th December. Processions, kathak,
gazals and sitar recitals evoke the old-world charm. A brilliant showcase of
the arts, crafts, and above all the heavenly cuisine of Awadh, the festival
is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Deva Mela :
The annual urs of Haji Waris Ali Shah is celeberated during Oct. - Nov.
months at Deva 10 km. from Barabanki. This fair attracts pilgrims from as
far as Pakistan and the Middle East Countries. The shrine of the Sufi Saint
is much revered by Muslim pilgrims all over the world
| » Shopping in Lucknow |
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The bazaars of Aminabad and Chowk are interesting even if you
are window-shopping. In fact, there are few showrooms here; most of the
shops flow into the streets with vendors sitting with their wares on the
roads. Wholesale markets sell a wide range of goods: antique furniture,
furnishings, utensils, dress materials, coolers, even vegetables. A good
bargain is not difficult, if you have mastered the art of haggling.
| » How to Get there |
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Air : 14 km from downtown. Pre-paid taxis
coinciding with flight timings available for Rs 150; pvt taxis charge Rs
250.
Rail : Lucknow is serviced by North &
north Eastern Railway by express and superfast trains. Best train from Delhi
is Shatabdi Express. Direct trains connect Lucknow to Guwahati (Avadh and
Lohit Expresses), Varanasi (Kashi Vishvanath), Puri (Neelanchal Express),
Calcutta (Doon, Himgiri Exp.), Dehradun (Doon Express), Allahabad (Triveni,
Nauchandi), Ahmedabad (Sabarmati Express).
Road :
Lucknow is on the important cross routes of National Highways 24, 25 and
28. UPSRTC bus stand is at Charbagh , opp. Railway station. For
reservations, contact Bus stand Charbagh: (ph 450988) and Kaiserbagh (ph
22503). There are also frequent coaches to Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, Dehradun,
and nearby areas.
North
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in Lucknow
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