About Lucknow (Lucknow City Information)

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, extends along the banks of the River Gomti. Lucknow was the capital city of the Nawabs of Awadh during the mid-eighteenth century. Situated on the banks of the river Gomti, Lucknow is popularly called the city of Nawabs & Kababs, both of which are famous here.

Lucknow is famous for its etiquette and the language of this place reflects the richness in culture which this place has inherited from the Nawabs. The city became known as a centre for Urdu poetry and courtly diction, and reached its acme during the reign of Wajid Ali Shah who was a connoisseur of music and poetry.

Lucknow is also known for its elaborate cuisine and 'Chikankaari' or exquisite shadow-work embroidery on fine muslin cloth. Lucknow has some fine Mughlai food specialties. Kulfi Faluda, icecream with cornflour noodles is a popular dessert out there.

Huge palatial buildings are a reminder of the days when city had a 'Nawabi' lifestyle. The extravagant life-style of the city was bound to catch the attention of the British who annexed Avadh on the pretext of failure of administrative machinery.

Today Lucknow lives on with memories of the past. Lucknow has now acquired the status of a city rich in art, music, dance and its reputation beams as a city of culture and gracious living.

Festivals
Lucknow festival provides an insight into the old, cultured, atmosphere of the city. It is a 10 day festival of Nostalgia, held in month of February. One can witness plays, processions, Kathak dances, ghazal and sitar performances, kite flying, cock fighting, etc. Lucknow also celebrates 'Muharram' in a very good way.

Places to see

Bara Imambara
Built like a fort, this huge and elegant building is also called the Asafai Imambara. This building was built in a famine relief program in 1784 by Nabab Asaf-ud-Daulla. The structure took six years to be completed.

Chota Imambara
The third Nabab of Avadh Muhammad Ali Shah built this imposing structure in 1840. The real name of this structure is Husainabad Imambada.

Rumi Darwaza
This huge door was also built by Asaf-ud-Daula along with the Bara Imambara in 1786. The sheer size of the darwaza(door) is enough to mesmerize any visitor. The art work done on this 60 feet high door is something to observe and appreciate closely. Surprisingly in this huge 'darwaza' no wood or iron is used for its construction. This is also called the 'Turkey Darwaza'. It is also known as the entrance to the Bara Imambara.

Clock Tower
Ghari Minar or the Clock Tower - Built in 1881 by the British opposite Hussainbad Imambara, this clock tower on river Gomti is said to the highest clock tower in India. The tower has European style of art work and architecture done on it. The parts of the clock is built of pure gunmetal and the pendulum hangs 14 feet. The dial of this clock is in shape of a 12 petaled flower and has bells around itself. It is located very near to the Rumi Darwaza. The tower is 67 meter high. In the city Sheer Darwaza and the Gole Darwaza are also worth visiting.