Lucknow

 

The capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow is a city synonymous with the Nawabi Culture. Lying on the banks of river Gomati, a tributary of the Ganga, the city is most talked about its imperialistic splendors and magnificence of the Nawabi Era. The city, known for its Adad and Tehzeeb (Cultural refinement) rose to prominence during the Indo - Islamic (Medieval period). especially the Mughals and later under the Nawabs of Awadh and thence, subsequently under the British. Noted for its fine bidri (silver - inlaid black metalware) jewelry. Chikan work (Cotton embroidery), toys, renowned cuisine, cultural heritage and traditions, the city once rivaled even Delhi in its patronage to art and literature. The city is also credited with the development of new musical forms and instruments under the royalty. Singing styles of Dadra, Thumri, Khayal, Qawqalis, Ghazals and the dance form Kathak saw their finest hours in this historic city. During 18th and 19th century, Lucknow developed its own style of architecture, Beginning as a rather ornate, modified form of Mughal prototypes. But built in brick and stucco, later it incorporated many European elements, e.g.,. triangular pediments, round arches and Corinthian capitals. Important historical sites include Nadan Mehal, a Mughal tomb; Bara Imambara (1784); ruins of the British residency; the Qaisar Bagh quadrangle etc. Besides its picture gallery, the state museums and the zoo are superb attractions. In ultimate analysis, the city is a perfect blend of ancient with the modern, as many glitzy shopping plazas co exist with the old historical monuments. Area : 79 sq. km. Population : 1731224 (199 census) Altitude : 123 mtrs. above sea level. Season : October - March Clothing (Summer) : Cottons Winter : Woolens Language : Hindi, Urdu, English Local Transport : Bus/Tempo/Auto-rickshaw/Taxi Tonga/Cycle-rickshaw STD Code : 0522 Places to visit Hussainabad Imambara Near the Rumi Darwaza, 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. Shah Najaf Imambara This white-domed structure derives its name from the town of Najaf, about 200 km south of Baghdad where the saint Hazrat Ali is buries. It is situated on the right bank of the Gomti, In this mausoleum are buried the remains of Ghazi-ud-din Haider and his wives, including Mubarak Mahal, his European wife. The entrance leads to a beautiful garden. The silver tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haider lies in the center of the building and is flanked by the more imposing silver and gold tomb of Mubarak Mahal on one side, and another tomb on the other. 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. Asafi Imambara Also known as the Bara Imambara, it was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 and is one of the architectural highlights of the era. The central hall is said to be the largest vaulted chamber in the world. Except for the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork used in the structure. A staircase from outside leads to a series of labyrinths which visitors are advised to visit only with authorized guides. Within the compound of the Imambara is a grand Asafi mosque. Rumi Darwaza This colossal, ornate gateway is said to be a facsimile 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. 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 center stands the Baradari, a picturesque white stone edifice which was earlier paved with silver. National Botanical Research institute Located at Sikandarbagh, where pitched battles took place during the Mutiny of 1857, the institute garden is open to the public from 6 AM to 5 PM. State Museum / Zoo A favorite spot for recreation, Lucknow, Museum houses a large collection of artifacts and memorabilia and is located at Banarasi Bagh, within the zoo premises. The zoo has a large collection of animals, Museum timings : 10.30 AM to 4.30 PM Weekly off : Monday. Zoo timings : 5 AM to 7 PM. Other places of interest include Chhatar Manzil, Maqbara Saadat Ali Khan, Moti Mahal, Dilkusha Garden, La Martiniere, Alambagh Palace. Excursion Kukrail Reserve Forest A picnic spot developed by the Forest Department, it has a deer park and crocodile nursery. A variety of birds and deer can be seen in their natural habitat. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary 43 km. Situated on the Kanpur highway, this sanctuary attracts Siberian migratory birds. The best season to visit is between October and March. Accommodation is available at U.P. Tourism's Priyadarshini Motel. (Tel : 5150, 5160). Deva Sharif 25 km. The tomb of Syed Haji Waris Ali Shah, known as Deva Sharif, is revered by both Hindus and Muslims. Devotees throng the shrine in October/November when the annual urs of the saint is held.. Naimisharanya 94 km. An important religious center with the temples of the goddess Lalita, Dadhichi Kund, Vyas Gaddi, Chakratirth and Hanuman Garhi. Hussainabad Imambara Near the Rumi Darwaza, 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. Shah Najaf Imambara This white-domed structure derives its name from the town of Najaf, about 200 km south of Baghdad where the saint Hazrat Ali is buries. It is situated on the right bank of the Gomti, In this mausoleum are buried the remains of Ghazi-ud-din Haider and his wives, including Mubarak Mahal, his European wife. The entrance leads to a beautiful garden. The silver tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haider lies in the center of the building and is flanked by the more imposing silver and gold tomb of Mubarak Mahal on one side, and another tomb on the other. Accessibility Air Amausi Airport, Lucknow is directly connected with Delhi, Patna, Calcutta, Bombay and Varanasi by direct flights. Rail A major railway junction, Lucknow is conveniently connected to many cities. Some of the important trains are : 5307/5308 Shatabadi Ex. : 5063/5064; Nainital Ex; : 9165/9166; Sabarmati Exp : 2553/2554; Vaishali Exp : 5609/5610; Awadh-Assam Exp : 8475/8476; Neelanchal Exp : 4283/4284; Ganga-Yamuna Exp : 4229/4230 Lucknow Mail : 2419/2420; Gomti Exp : 4057/4058; Kashi-Vishwanath Exp : 4011/4012; Nauchandi Exp : 1015/1016; Bombay-Gorakhpur Exp : 5011/5012; Cochin-Gorakhpur Exp. Road Lucknow is connected by road with all the major cities of the country. Some of the major road distances are : Agra - 363 km, Allahabad - 210 km, Ayodhya - 135 km, Calcutta - 985 km, Corbett National Park - 400 km, Delhi - 497 km, Dudhwa National Park - 238 km, Kanpur - 79 km, Khajuraho - 320 km, Varanasi - 305 km. Shopping The main shopping areas in the city are Hazratganj, Janpath, Aminabad, Chowk. Bank Allahabad Bank, Main Branch, Hazratganj. Ph : (0522)257187 State Bank of India, Main Branch, Hazratganj. Ph : (0522)213074, 227804 Bank of India, Main Branch, Newal Kishore Road, Hazratganj, Ph : (0522)216535, 223829. United Commercial Bank, Opposite Halwasia Court, Hazratganj. Ph : (0522)228574. Post & Telegraph General Post Office, Hazratganj. Ph : (0522)222887. Sub Post Office, Aminabad Park Ph : (0522)228876, 213906 Head Post Office, Chowk, Ph : (0522)253165 Sub Post Office, Mahanagar. Ph : (0522)385909 Hospitals Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rae Bareilly Road. Ph : (0522)440008-8, 440800, 440900 King George's Medical College, Chowk, Ph : (PRO) (0522)265424, 265614, (Suptd) 268701, 266175. Balrampur Hospital, Golaganj, Ph : (0522)224040, 227551. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee/Civil Hospital, S.P. Mukherjee Marg, Hazratganj. Ph : (0522)229568, 224636. Veerangana Jhalkasi Bai Mahila Hospital, Ph. (0522)229568, 2224636 Tourist Information Directorate of U.P. Tourism, Chitrahar Building, 3 Nawal Kishore Road. Ph : (0522)228349, 225165, Fax : 221776 Regional Tourist Office, 10, Station Road, Ph : (0522)226205 Tourist Reception Counter, Northern Railway Station, Charbagh, Ph : (0522)452533 PRO, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, Khushnuma Complex, 7 RF Bahadur Marg, Ph./Fax: (0522)210572 PRO, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, 2, Gopal Khera House, Sarojini Naidu Marg, Ph : (0522)215903 State Information Bureau, Hazratganj. Ph : (0522)224728. Wildlife Information Center, 17, Rana Pratap Marg, Ph : (0522)283902