Tourist Places in Uttar Pradesh – Lucknow

The Lucknow Festival, in the months of November-December, captures the undying elegance and splendours of Awadh, now Lucknow. A brilliant showcase of the arts, crafts, and above all the heavenly cuisine of this land, the festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Hi Tourism Spots Forts and Palaces: The Red Fort, Sikri Fort, Ramgarh Fort, Rani Jhansi Fort, Tantya Thope Fort, Nana Sahib Fort, Nawabs of Oudh Palace and Begum Hazrat Mahal Palace. Museums: The State Museum (Lucknow), Bharat Kala Bhawan (Varanasi), Archaeological Museum (Sarnath) and the Government Museum (Mathura).

Wildlife/Bird Sanctuaries: The Nawabganj Birds Sanctuary, Dudhwa National Park, Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, National Chambai (Gharial) Wildlife Sanctuary, Ranipur Sanctuary, Chandra Prabha Sanctuary, Lakh Bahosi Sanctuary, Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Bakhira Sanctuary, Patna Bird Sanctuary, Sur Sarovar Sanctuary, Vijay Sagar Sanctuary andOkhla Sanctuary.

Pilgrim Centres: Allahabad, Varanasi Mathura and Vrindavan.

The capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow boasts of the rich Nawabi Culture even now. Located on the banks of the Gomati River, the city, known for its Adad and Tehzeeb (Cultural refinement) rose to prominence during the Indo-Islamic (Medieval period). Dotted with colonial structures and the ruins of the historic residency, Lucknow draws a lot of visitors, which keeps the already crowded city still more pulsating and vibrant. During the 18th and 19th century, Lucknow developed its own styles of architecture, a somewhat upgraded form of the Mughal one. Although using bricks and stucco in the beginning, it incorporated many European elements like triangular pediments, round arches and Corinthian capitals gradually.

During the outbreak of the 1857 Indian Uprising, all the British inhabitants of Lucknow-around 1300-took refuge with Sir Henry Lawrence in his Residency. The 60-day- siege claimed not only 2000 lives, but also reduced the Residency to ruins.

Though Lucknow is often skipped by travellers on their way to Agra and Varanasi, it is well worth a visit. There are many interesting historical sites like the Nadan Mehal, a Mughal tomb; Bara Imambara (1784); ruins of the British residency; the Qaisar Bagh quadrangle etc. And there is a state museum and zoo to enthrall visitors. For shopping buffs, there are many shopping plazas that offer the ultimate shopping experience.

IP How to get there

L. By Air; Lucknow is well connected by air with all major cities like Delhi, Patna, Varanasi, * Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru by direct flights. The Amausi Airport is 15 km from the City Centre.

mir I          By Rail: Being a major junction of

the Northern Railways, Lucknow is well connected to almost all the major cities of India. It has two railway stations, the Charbagh Railway station and the City Railway Station.

&

By Road: Lucknow is connected by

road with all major cities of the country. The
two bus stands Charbagh and Kaisarbagh
have regular bus services plying to and from
Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Kanpur and Allahabad.

dome and numerous turrets and minarets and its entrance is through a well-laid garden. The walls of the mausoleum are decorated with verses in Arabic. The Chandeliers, gilded mirrors, colorful stucco, the King’s throne and ornate tazia or replicas of the tombs at Karbala add charm to this Imambara.

Shah Najaf Imambara: This white-domed structure is situated on the right bank of the Gomti. It is named after the town of Najaf, about 200 km south of Baghdad, where the saint Hazrat Ali is buried. This mausoleum also has the remains of Ghazi-ud-din Haider and his wives, including Mubarak Mahal, his European wife. The silver tomb of Ghazi-ud- din Haider lies in the center of the building and is flanked by the striking silver and gold tomb of Mubarak Mahal on one side, and another tomb on the other. An imposing garden leading to the entrance is a beautiful sight.

Rumi Darwaza: This colossal structure is said to be a replica of one of the gates of Constantinople. It was built by Nawab Asaf- ud-Daula in 1784, to create employment during the terrible famine of 1784.

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Hussainabad Imambara

Hi Places of interest Hussainabad Imambara: This structure houses the tombs of Muhammad Ali Shah, its builder, and of his mother and is located near the Rumi Darwaza. Constructed between 1837 and 1842, it is also called the Chhota Imambara. The Imambara comprises a white

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 be included as the eighth wonder of the world. The yellow buildings on the three sides of the quadrangle provided quarters for the ladies of the harem. In the center stands the Baradari, a picturesque white stone edifice which was earlier paved with silver.