If you are an avid enthusiast of instrumental music, then you would want to trace the gharanas (schools of Indian classical music) of India. If you are a gourmet, you would want to taste the Mughlai cuisine. If you are a connoisseur, you would want to add the exquisite Lucknow chikan work to your collection. If you wish to get them all in one place, you should travel to Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Described as the 'golden city of the east" for its past splendor, Lucknow still retains the old world charm.

There are several tourist attractions in Lucknow.The Bada Imambada which 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, which is 60 feet high, is believed to be built like one of the gates of Constantinople The Husainabad Imambada, also known, as Chhota Imambada is the mausoleum of Mohammed Ali Shah. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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

The prominent festivals in Lucknow are Muharram and the Lucknow Mahotsav. 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.

What better way to enjoy the nawabi hospitability and delicious cuisine, than to check into the hotels in Lucknow.The hotels in Lucknow promise a comfortable and luxurious stay while you are in Lucknow. Buying Lucknowi chikan work will be the obvious thing to do while shopping in Lucknow.The city of Lucknow is synonymous with the fine art of embroidery-chikankari (shadow work) and zardosi (silver and gold embroidery). The world-renowned chikan work garments, be it saris, kurtas or dupattas make excellent gifts to carry home.

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