Lucknow - A city of loveable people

Lucknow - A city of loveable people

Lucknow Tourist Attractions

Lucknow is a beautiful city that still retains its old world charm. Your tour to Lucknow will be a truly memorable one when you travel in India. While arranging for Lucknow sightseeing tours, make sure that you visit the following tourist attractions that are worth seeing. The exquisite monuments that were built during the ancient times are still preserved for the present to see and cherish. So check out these tourist attractions as a part of Lucknow Tours.

Bara Imambara 
The Bara Imambara was built in the year 1784 by the fourth Nawab of Awadh known as Asaf-ud-Daula. It was built as a part of a relief project for a major famine that took place in the year 1784.

British Residency Lucknow
The British Residency of Lucknow is a famous historical landmark of this place. It is now in ruins and has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Chattar Manzil
One of the imposing structures built by the Nawabs of Lucknow, Chattar Manzil is a very famous tourist attraction of Lucknow. The most unique thing about the Chattar Manzil of Lucknow is the strikingly different architecture.

Jama Masjid
In the year 1423, Sultan Ahmed Shah constructed the Jama Masjid in Lucknow. It is built entirely with yellow sandstone and is known for its intricate style of design and architecture.

Rumi Darwaza
The Rumi Darwaza of Lucknow is one of the most impressive architectural structures in India. It was constructed in the year 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-daula. The Rumi Darwaza is an example of the fine architectural style of Awadh.

Clock Tower
Between the Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara is the Clock Tower of Lucknow. This huge tower was constructed by Nawab Nasir-ud-Din Haider in the year 1880. The Clock Tower in Lucknow reaches upto a staggering height of 221 feet and is the tallest Clock Tower in India. The Clock tower also has the biggest fitted clock that cost the government around Rs. 1.75 lakhs at that time.

Moti Mahal
The Moti Mahal in Lucknow is one of the most beautiful monuments of India. The Nawab of Lucknow, Saadat Ali Khan, constructed it. The Lucknow Moti Mahal is also known as Palace of Pearls. The Moti Mahal is located on the borders of Gomti and provides a spectacular view of the city of Nawabs. The Nawabs used this palace to view birds in flight and spend time in leisure. There are three buildings that comprise the whole construction.

The two other buildings are known as Shah Manzil and Mubarak Manzil. These two buildings were added later by Nawab Ghazi-ud-din Haider. These were used by the Nawab to watch animal combats and animal fights. The Moti Mahal is preserved till date by the concerned authorities and is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Lucknow.

Lakshmana
Tila It is said that the original site of the town was actually at Lakshmana Tila. The story goes back to ancient times when the brother of Lord Rama, Lakshmana laid the foundation of the city of modern Lucknow. It was known as Lakshmanpur then. This place is supposed to be one of the earliest sites of human settlements in Lucknow.

Hussainabad Imambara
The Hussainabad Imambara is a major tourist attraction of Lucknow. The monument was built by Mohammed Ali Shah in the year 1837. The tombs of Mohammed Ali Shah and his mother are located over here. The walls of the monument are decorated with Arabic verses that have been carved beautifully by efficient craftsmen. The structure has an imposing white colored dome and many pillars or minarets. The interiors of the monument are worth seeing. They have been decorated beautifully with elaborate chandeliers, mirrors with gold frames, the majestic throne of the King. There are small miniatures of the Taj Mahal on either side of the monument. The Hussainabad Imambara is beautifully decorated during the festival of Moharrum. The whole structure is bordered with thousands of little bulbs, which give it a royal look when illuminated in the evening.

Lucknow Excursions

Naimisaranya

Location:	Uttar Pradesh, India
Significance:	Important Hindu pilgrim center

Located at a distance of around 94 kilometers from Lucknow, is the Naimisharanya Misrikh temple. It is a major pilgrimage center and attracts devotees from all over India. Naimisharanya Misrikh of Uttar Pradesh can be visited as a part of excursions from Lucknow as it is located quite far from Lucknow. The Naimisharanya Misrikh of U.P. is a center for spiritual discourse and people come here for attaining mental peace. Read on about the famous Naimisharanya Misrikh of Uttar Pradesh.

According to ancient legends, Gods chose this place on earth to establish Dharma. However, a demon named Vrittrasur was proving to be a major hurdle in the way of Gods. Thus, the Gods requested a highly powerful sage named Maharshi Dadhichi to give his bones in order to create a weapon to kill the demon. Today, Naimisharanya Misrikh has numerous pilgrim places to see around.

People say that anyone who meditates hard enough over here and rids oneself of worldly desires will definitely attain some amount of divine power and force. Every year, in the Hindu month of Phalgun, a temple festival known as Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama is held in the honor of the sage.

Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary

Location:	Nawabganj Town, Uttar Pradesh
Best Time to Visit:	November - March

The Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary is one of the major wildlife sanctuaries of Uttar Pradesh. This bird sanctuary can be visited as a part of excursions from Lucknow. The Nawabganj bird sanctuary in U.P. is spread over a small area of less than 3 square kilometers. The Nawabganj bird sanctuary is a major hub for migratory birds that visit this place during winter months. The best season to visit this sanctuary is from November to March, since this is the time when many species of migratory birds come here.

The main area of the sanctuary is around a shallow lake, which serves as the perfect place for migratory and water birds to dwell around for a while. The Government of India declared Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary a protected area in the year 1984. The sanctuary is a paradise for photography enthusiasts. The sanctuary also a Bird Interpretation Center, which gives knowledge about birds an their behavior in detail. From Lucknow, the sanctuary is located at a distance of around 35 kilometers.

The sanctuary has some very rare birds that come visiting during the migratory season. These birds come from as far as Europe and Siberia, traveling a distance of around 5000 kilometers every year. These birds include Graylag Goose, Pintail, Cotton teal, Red Crested Pochard, Gadwall, Shoveller, Coot and Mallard. Other residential and local birds include Spotwill, Sarus crane, Painted Stork, Peacock, White Ibis, Dabchick, Whistling teal, Open billed stork, White necked stork, Pheasant tailed jacana, Bronze winged Jacana, Purple moorhen, Lapwing, Tern vulture, Pigeon, King crow, Indian roller and Bee eater.

Lucknow Culture

People

The people of Lucknow are among the warmest and the most courteous people in India. They are known to be very soft spoken and treat guests like Gods. The place has a rich cultural heritage and is known to be the city of Nawabs. The Nawabs were known for their polished and refined language and high standards of living. The lifestyle of Lucknow people was one of its kinds and the place still dwells in its old world charm. Read on about the ever-elegant Lucknow people.

The way Lucknow people indulge in the pleasures of life is truly worth seeing and experiencing. The people mix sophistication with warmth and courtesy added with generous doses of love to give you the politest language and lifestyle. They do not like to use harsh words and abuses are virtually unheard of! The city of Nawabs is known for its "Pehle Aap" (After you) culture. Though it sounds a bit outdated, it is undoubtedly chivalry at its best!

The people of Lucknow speak Urdu, which is one of the sweetest languages. The poetry and prose written in Urdu has its own charm and is a delight to listen to. The people of Lucknow have their own refined style of doing each and every thing. Even the smallest thing like rolling paan leaves and taking it with the proper etiquettes from a woman is done with the highest level of sophistication. It is popularly known as "Lukhnawi Tehzeeb", which means the mannerism of Lucknow.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Lucknow has its own distinct individuality and identity. The traditional food of Lucknow was highly patronized by the Mughals thus giving it a very royal touch. The royal chefs and cooks were trained to give that distinct royal touch and regal look to anything they cooked. Every detail was accounted for and it was made sure that the food looked fit for the kings. A very high degree of flair and finesse was required to cook the elaborate Lucknow cuisine. Read on about the deliciously famous Lucknowi food.

Cooking a meal for the kings required that extra flair and touch of difference and the presentation required that extra eye for detail. The style of cooking was called as Dum style. This basically means that food was cooked on low flame. This style is carried on till date. The blending of spices in the right proportion and the right way was also not easy. It is a skill that is acquired through rigorous practice and is something that was practiced by generations to come.

The most famous dishes of Lucknow are kormas, kaliya, nahari-kulchas, zarda, sheermal, roomali rotis and warqi parathas. It is not just the ingredients that are special but also the way they are made by expert hands and the way they are presented. Just looking at an elaborate layout of Lucknow cuisine will make your mouth water. The most famous of all dishes are the Kebabs or the meatballs that come in different varieties. Some of the most famous (and delicious!) varieties of Kebabs are Kakori Kebabs, Shami Kebabs, Boti Kebabs, Patili-ke-Kababs, Ghutwa Kebabs and Seekh Kebabs.

Music and Dance

Music and dance in Lucknow has been much influenced by the Mughal rule India. The kings were known to lead a life of pleasure and their main source of entertainment was to indulge in music and dance. The royal courts had some of the best dancers and musicians of Lucknow. The performances in dance & music in Lucknow was something that was worth watching. Even today, various artists all over India keep Lucknow music and dance alive. The realm of fine arts flourished during the Mughal rule and Lucknow emerged as one of the best places to indulge in music and dance.

Lucknow is famous for its collection of classical music that is called as Hindustani classical music. The various ragas, compositions and beats were highly inspired by the poetry written by the famous poets and literary figures. Lucknow traditional music is highly evolved and every detail is taken into attention while singing so as to impart the right feel and the meaning.

The famous Lucknow Gharana was created in the royal courts of the Nawabs of Lucknow. This Gharana inspired major dance forms like Kathak, which is the classical dance of the north of India. Today, the rich tradition of music and dance of Lucknow is kept alive by various exponents and preachers through various concerts and cultural programmes.