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Lucknow is a city synonymous with the Nawabi culture. The imperialistic splendor and magnificence of the Nawabi Era has been glorified and eulogized down the ages by writers, poets and historians alike. At the same time it is mystical elegance and amorous ethos has caught the facination of many world famous romantics. Known for its Adab and Thzeeb (cultural refinement), Lucknow is also associated with its legendry hospitality, leisurely moods of life, fabled edifices steeped in history, world renowned cuisne and exquisite Shame-Awadh. Tremors of time have not effaced Lucknow of its cultural heritage and traditions, which once contributed in creating the city in comparable in its time.
As the 18th century seat of the Nawabs of Awadh, Lucknow flourished becoming an important political and cultural centre, rivalling Delhi in its patronage to art and literature.
Modern Lucknow, spread evenly on both sides of River Gomti, is a perfect blend of ancient with the modern, as many glitzy shopping arced co-exist with the old monuments. The greatest attraction of Lucknow, where the past jostles with the present, is its unique ability to achieve harmony amidst disorder and to assimilate the new in to the old.
General information
Altitude: 123 meters (403 ft. above sea level)
Best Season: October to March.
Temperature: Summer- Max 36.6, Min 25; Winter- Max 21.1, Min 11.1.
STD Code: 0522
How to get there
Air
Lucknow is connected to Calcutta, Patna, Delhi, Bombay
Rail
Lucknow, on the Northern and North-Eastern Railway, is directly connected with Calcutta and all other main places in India.
Road
Lucknow is connected by road with Agra (314 km), Allahabad (225 km), Calcutta (985 km), Corbett National Park (280 km), Delhi (514 km), Kanpur (79 km), Varanasi (314 km) etc.
In and around
Lucknow Residency
At one time, the official residence of the British resident, was built in 1780 - 1800. A witness to one of the bitterest battle during the war of independence in 1857, scars made by the canons can still be seen on every standing wall.
Bada Imam Bara
To provide employment and relief to his subjects during the calamitious famine of 1784, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula built this Imambara, which also houses his tomb. The remarkable feature of this Imambara is the absence of pillars for support, to the 50 ft high main hall and a labyrinth of intricate balconies and passages in the upper floor, the 'Bhul Bhulaiyya'. To the left of the Imambara is the imposing Asifi mosque.
Chota Imambara
Though popularly called as the Chota Imambara the Hussainabad Imambara stands to the west of Bara Imambara. Built by Nawab Mohammed Ali Shah (1837 - 42), it is more ornate in design with exquisite chandeliers, gilt-edged mirrors, silver mimbar and colourful stuccos which adorn the interiors. A golden dome and fine calligraphy on the exterior of the building makes it a truly a exceptional monument of Mughal architecture.
Moti Mahal
The "Peral Palace" was erected by Nawab Sadat Ali Khan, later Gazi-ud-Din Haider added to other buildings to the complex - The Shah Manzil and the Murak Manzil. They were mainly constructed for the Nawab and his courtiers to watch animal combats from the balconies of these buildings, which were held at the other side of the river.
Nawab Ganj Bird Sanctuary
This sanctuary attracts rare Siberian migratory birds like Pintain, Pigeon, common Teal, Pochard, Shoveler, Purple Moor Hen, Paraheet among others. The best season is between October and March.
Dudwa National Park
In the sal forests of north Lakhimpur-Kheri district. This National Park's star attraction is the Bengal Tiger. The Indian Rhino was also introduced in here to save it from extinction. Leopards, elephants, bears, muntjacs, gharial, crocodile, spotted and swamp deer can also be seen. Bird life is prolific, and one ornithologist has said that Dudwa could establish its claim to fame even merely on on account of its owls and storks. Among the night birds of prey are the great Indian horned owl, the forest eagle owl, the tawny fish owl, the brown wood owl, jungle owlet are among the more vociferous of the lesser verities. Among the colourful birds are varieties of wood pickers, orioles, pitas, king fishers, minivets, fly catchers, sunbirds hornbills etc. Migratory birds are plentiful, special water fowl, and as Dudwa is close to Himalayan foot hills, various species stop over in the course of their migration to the plains in winter.
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