ABOUT LUCKNOW
The capital of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow has long been a seat of administration and culture. Second only to Delhi in importance in the region, and the seventh largest city in India, Lucknow is easily accessible from all major cities in the country. Its literacy rate is much higher than what it is in the rest of the state too. All this has ensured its prominence as a centre of business and industry, education and research as well as tourism.
Lucknow Bara Imambara
Lucknow’s period charm, together with lingering traces of
its famed courtly etiquette, sets it apart from other cities in India. No
wonder films such as Umrao Jaan, Shatranj ke Khiladi and Junoon, which
showcased the city’s history and culture, left their mark on Indian cinema.
Lucknow, today, is an amalgam of the ancient and the modern,
both existing side by side to give special flavour to the city. Along with the
latest in aerospace technology, handicrafts occupy their own niche; if the
craze for cricket has spread across society, traditional wrestling retains its
own fan following; and modern monuments vie for attention with the city’s more
historic landmarks.
A Brief History of Lucknow
Vibrant and cosmopolitan Lucknow earned fame as the seat of
the Nawabs of Awadh in 18th century. Its history and heritage, however, goes
back much further. The city is believed to have been founded by Lakshman, the
younger brother of Lord Ram, who gave his name to it. As Lucknow grew it came
under the rule of various kingdoms including the Delhi Sultans and the Mughals.
The city finally came into its own in the 18th and 19th centuries as the
capital of the Nawabs of Awadh, who were feudatories of Mughals. They lavished
such attention on it that it came to be known as the “Golden City” and “Constantinople
of the East”. The disintegration of the Mughal Empire made Awadh a kingdom in
its own right.
The rise of the East India Company in India ushered in a new
era which saw the fall of Awadh and the state being annexed to British India in
1856. The last Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah, was exiled to Kolkatta. The next year,
Lucknow emerged as one of the main centres of the Revolt of 1857. In the fierce
fighting that ensued much of the historic city was battered. The British
regained control of Luknow and it later became the capital of the United
Provinces of Agra and Oudh. Lucknow continued to play an important role and
after independence was named capital of the new state of Uttar Pradesh.
Geography of Lucknow
Lucknow Travel Map Located at an elevation of 128 metres
(420 feet) in the heart of the Gangetic Plain, Lucknow is bordered by the
districts of Raebareli, Unnao and Barabanki. It lies in a fertile agricultural
belt that is also the location of many industries. Special varieties of mangoes
are cultivated all around Lucknow in addition to a variety of regular crops.
Climate of Lucknow
The climate of Lucknow is extreme subtropical with hot
summers and cold winters with temperatures reaching a high of 40.5° C in May
and a low of 6.9° C in January. It rains from mid-June to mid-September with
the average rainfall being 896.2 mm (35.28 in).
Lucknow Tourism
An historic city such as Lucknow can be expected to be
littered with monuments and buildings. While many important buildings were
destroyed and many more are past their best days, many remains reflect the
city’s glory. Lucknow’s social and cultural milieu is such that history, art
and culture are part of its everyday fabric and visitors can find many things
that interest them. Places of interest
around Lucknow include Allahabad, Kanpur, Banaras, Faizabad, Ayodhya, Sarasvati,
Nawabganj and Dudhwa National Park.
Major Tourist Attractions of Lucknow
Lucknow Bara Imam bara
Situated on the banks of the Gomti, a tributary of River Ganga,
the main allure of the “City of Nawabs” lies in its splendid monuments, music,
dance and food. No visit to the city is complete without a visit to the Bara Imam
bara, experiencing a ghazal night or kathak performance or eating delicious
kababs on its streets.
The other tourist places in Lucknow include:
Chhota Imam bara
La Martinière
Rumi Darwaja
Hussainabad Imam bara
Shah Najaf Imam bara
The Residency
Chattar Manzil
Jama Masjid
Moti Mahal
Safed Baradari
Shahi Baoli
Clock Tower
Ambedkar Memorial
Tile Wali Masjid
Lucknow Zoo
Kukrail Dam
About Shopping in Lucknow
Lucknow is popular for its textiles, perfumes and
handicrafts, much of it available in the city’s old bazaars. The famous
chikankari work can be seen all over the city especially in the bazaars of
Hazratganj, Aminabad and Chowk. Ittar shops can also be found here. Shopaholics
can also explore the areas of Yahiyaganj, Kapoorthala, Janpath and Bhootnath.
Modern shopping malls have also come up in Gomti Nagar, Alambagh and Shanajaf Road.
Festivals in Lucknow
Lucknow has a cosmopolitan population with people from
across North India and other parts of the country. Many festivals including
Makar Sankranti, Holi, Basant Panchami, Ram Navami, Teej, Raksha Bandhan,
Id-ul-Fitr, Dusshera, Id-ul-Zuha, Karva Chauth, Diwali, Bhaiya Dhooj, Muharram
and Christmas are celebrated here. Lucknow Mahotsav held during
November-December showcases the city’s culture with literature, music, dance
and food.
Food in Lucknow
Lucknow Cuisine
Lucknow is a gastronomic paradise. Developed over centuries,
cooking has acquired the level of a fine art here. The dum style of cooking was
invented in the city during the days of the nawabs. From the humble street
corner stall to five-star establishments, a variety of delicious dishes satisfy
the most fastidious palates. These include kababs, kormas, nahari, kaliya and
paya to be relished with a range of breads including kulchas, zarda, sheermal,
roomali roti and warqi paratha. Biryani is cooked in the unique Awadhi style. A
variety of other dishes, chaats and sweets cater to different tastes. Visitors
can savour all these traditional delicacies in the heart of the city.
How to Reach Lucknow
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