The city of Lucknow is popularly called the city of Nawabs and Kebabs. Described as the 'golden city of the east" for its past splendor, Lucknow still retains the old world charm. The city is famous for its gharanas or schools of Indian classical music, and chikan work (embroidered cotton). The city is fast modernizing but blends the progress with its tradition and culture.
There are several tourist attractions in Lucknow. The Bada Imambada, built by Asaf-ud-Daula in the year 1784 was part of the famine relief project where a number of laborers were appointed to build this Imambada. It is said that this hall is the world's largest arched room without any pillars and the Nawabs used to hold their public hearings. The Rumi Darwaza was also built as a relief work during the famine of 1783.
It looks magnificent when illuminated during the Muharram.The remnants of British rule in India are seen in the ruins of Lucknow Residency, which was once the Mansion of East India Company's agent in Avadh during the Sepoy Mutiny. Near the Husainabad Imambada lies the Jami Masjid, the largest mosque in Lucknow.The construction of the mosque was started by Mohammed Shah and was completed by his wife after his death in the 1840s. To the right side of the Bada Imambada lies another mosque named after Asaf-ud-Daula.Anyone interested in Nawabi history should visit the picture gallery near the clock tower of Husainabad Imambada which has a number of portraits of almost all the Nawabs of Lucknow.Banarsi Bagh is a zoo within the premises of which is the state museum where a number of impressive historical items are kept. The splendid collection of stone sculptures that have been brought from Mathura, an Egyptian mummy, a statue of queen Victoria and some of Her highness's court men, which is kept in the garden area of the museum complex are fascinating.
Excursions from Lucknow
Excursions from Lucknow can be made to interesting places around like Faizabad, situated 124 km from Lucknow and was once the capital of Avadh. The attractions in Faizabad are the Fort Calcutta built by the third Nawab of Avadh, Suja-ud-Daula and the mausoleum of Bahu Begum and Gulab Bari. Just 6 km away from Faizabad is the holy town Ayodhya where one of the most popular incarnations of Lord Vishnu and the hero of the epic Ramayana, Lord Ram, was born. It has a large number of temples all over the town. Kanpur at a distance of 77 km from Lucknow is a modern industrial city of Uttar Pradesh, which saw the setting up of one of the first cotton mills of the country. Besides, this city also has some historical monuments to visit. Sravasti, situated 150 km northwest of Lucknow has a Buddhist monastery Jetavana where it is believed that Lord Gautama Buddha preached here after he got his enlightenment
Festivals in Lucknow
The prominent festivals in Lucknow are Muharram and the Lucknow Mahotsav.Muharram was celebrated from the time of the nawabs especially because the majority of the population belongs to the Shia Muslim community. Lucknow Mahotsav is a major event celebrated in the months of November/December. It is a ten-day festival with events like plays, music and dance recitals, kite flying and tonga races, which showcase the rich culture of the city.
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