Sightseeing in Lucknow

Built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 alongside Bara Imambara, Rumi Darwaza takes its name and design cues from a similar gate in Istanbul. Illuminated at night, it now functions as an unofficial emblem of Lucknow city. Rumi Darwaza is typically explored in about half day. The best time to visit is October to March. Nearby points of interest include The Central Arch and Night Illumination. Other notable highlights include significant Heritage destination in Lucknow, rich historical and cultural heritage, and important spiritual or architectural significance. It falls within Uttar Pradesh, India.

Hazratganj has been Lucknow’s premier shopping and promenading street since the colonial era, its arcaded facades now mixing heritage buildings with modern retail. It remains the city’s liveliest evening spot for shopping and street food. Hazratganj is typically explored in about half day. The best time to visit is October to March. Nearby points of interest include Ganjing and Sharma Ji Ki Chai and Street Food Stalls. Other notable highlights include significant Culture destination in Lucknow, rich historical and cultural heritage, and important spiritual or architectural significance. It falls within Uttar Pradesh, India.

Built by the Uttar Pradesh government, this vast red-sandstone park is lined with elephant statues, memorial columns and galleries dedicated to B.R. Ambedkar and other social reform leaders. Its scale and Rajasthani-red sandstone architecture make it a distinctive Lucknow landmark. Ambedkar Memorial Park is typically explored in about half day. The best time to visit is October to March. Nearby points of interest include Elephant Statue Avenue and Memorial Galleries. Other notable highlights include significant Heritage destination in Lucknow, rich historical and cultural heritage, and important spiritual or architectural significance.

Also known as the Hussainabad Imambara, this mausoleum was built in 1838 and is decorated with an unusual collection of chandeliers, mirrors and gilt-edged Quranic calligraphy. Its reflecting pool and golden dome make it one of Lucknow’s most photographed monuments. Chota Imambara is typically explored in about half day. The best time to visit is October to March. Nearby points of interest include Chandelier Hall, Satkhanda, and Hussainabad Clock Tower. Other notable highlights include significant Heritage destination in Lucknow, rich historical and cultural heritage, and important spiritual or architectural significance. It falls within Uttar Pradesh, India.

Built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula as a famine-relief project, Bara Imambara houses one of the largest arched halls in the world built without beams or girders. Its Bhool Bhulaiya, a maze of narrow passages threading through the upper floor, is one of Lucknow’s most visited attractions. Bara Imambara is typically explored in about half day. The best time to visit is October to March. Nearby points of interest include Asfi Mosque and The Central Hall. Other notable highlights include significant Heritage destination in Lucknow, rich historical and cultural heritage, and important spiritual or architectural significance. It falls within Uttar Pradesh, India.

The State Museum in Lucknow is a prominent museum located in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, India. The museum is in the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Gardens, Banarasi Bagh, Lucknow. The museum was established in 1863 from the collection of Colonel Saunders Alexius Abbott, and was given the status of ‘Provincial Museum’ before being renamed the ‘State Museum’ in 1950. The collection housed in the museum consists of objects from the prehistoric period, Bronze Age, plaster casts of famous figurines from the Indus Valley civilization, as well as collections of numismatics, paintings, manuscripts and textiles.

The bloody history of the demise of this Raj-era compound is immortalised in the museum in the basement. This was the scene of the 1857 First Battle for Independence, referred to by the British as `The Indian Mutiny.´ Although you can still clearly see numerous cannon ball marks in the ruined buildings, thankfully it is a peaceful place today. So much so in fact, that you are likely to stumble across couples taking a little private time in the leafy shady groves. The Residency is clearly recognised by the locals and tourists alike as a breezy haven to escape from the bustle and dust of a busy Indian city. The Residency will try to sell you a photo pass for an additional ₹25.

Bal Vidya Mandir (aka BVM) is an English medium, co-educational Senior Secondary Residential/Day School located in Lucknow, India. It was founded in 1963 by then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Chandra Bhanu Gupta, The school is fully affiliated to CBSE, imparts education from Nursery to Class XII (10+2). It is situated on the Motilal Nehru Marg opposite to Charbagh Railway Station, Station Road, Lucknow. The school celebrated its semicentennial in the year 2014. Now the school has launched new teachings schemes also.

Aminabad Hamza Bazaar is one of the oldest market centers in the city of Lucknow, India, along with Chowk, Nathan's and Hazratganj. Its traders and shops are involved in both wholesale and retail commerce. The main commodities and goods traded are clothes, Chikan embroidery work, spices, dry snacks, hosieries and wedding decorations. Aminabad is a combination of various markets, cluster of houses, offices and is often compared to the bustling Chandni Chowk of Delhi. It still has his importance in the Lucknow market and is still the pillar of Lucknow markets.

Sikandar Bagh, formerly known by the British as Sikunder/Sikandra/Secundra Bagh, is a villa and garden enclosed by a fortified wall, with loopholes, gateway and corner bastions, approx. 150 yards square, c. 4.5 acres (1.8 ha), located in the city of Lucknow, Oudh, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by the last Nawab of Oudh, Wajid Ali Shah (1822–1887), as a summer residence. The name of the villa signifies '"Garden of Sikandar", after Sikandar Mahal Begum, the Nawab's favourite wife. It was stormed in 1857 by the British during the Indian Rebellion and witnessed within its walls the slaughter of all 2,200 sepoy mutineers who had made it a stronghold during their Siege of Lucknow.

The Iron Bridge over the Gomti River in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, was one of the earliest iron bridges in India, erected in 1845. Originally designed by British civil engineer John Rennie, the cast-iron sections were manufactured by Butterley Company of Derbyshire, England, between 1812 and 1814, and shipped to Calcutta, finally arriving in Lucknow in 1816. By then, Saadat Ali Khan, the nawab of Awadh who had commissioned the bridge, had died, and the project was put on hold.

The Jama Mosque, also known as the Jama Masjid, is a Shi'ite Friday mosque located in the area of Husainabad, Lucknow, in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The construction of the mosque started in 1839 CE by Muhammad Ali Shah, third Badshah of Awadh with the intention to surpass the Jama Masjid in Delhi in size. It was incomplete at the time of his death, and the mosque was completed by his wife, Queen Malika Jahan Sahiba, in 1845 CE, although not all planned elements were completed. The mosque is a Monuments of National Importance, administered by the Archaeological Survey of India.