Chhota Imambara
The Chhota Imambara (smaller Imambara) located in the Hussainabad locality of old Lucknow was built by Naseer-ud-Daulah Mohammed Ali Shah, the Third King (1837-42) in 1839 as an act of gratefulness to the Almighty for his unexpected elevation to the throne. He was already past 60 years old when the British chose him over the other claimants to wear the crown of Awadh. The architect responsible for the actual building of this masterpiece was Azim-ullah Khan.
There are three gates - the main one in the centre is flanked by two triple-arched ones. On top of the main gate there is an emblem indicating the five members of Prophet’s Mohammed’s family.
The moment you enter the main doorway, you will notice two bronze statues of two ladies – one on each side. They hold an iron chain in their hand, a chain that is attached to the lightning conductor atop the gateway. Right in front of you is a pretty pond with a quaint bridge across it. On either side of the walkway, there is a building – one is a smaller and poorer version of the famed Taj Mahal and the other is its answer, placed merely for evenness and proportion.
Opposite to this, on the far end is a beautiful, small, white mosque. However, a notice prohibits non-Muslims from entering the mosque.
The steps leading to the main hall are uncomfortable and too high. You will notice that there are again five entrances to this hall, signifying the Holy Five of the Prophet Mohammed. You enter through the central door into a large hall used for the mourning of Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed. His sacrifice forms a different story.
The central hall is richly decorated in green and white with plenty of chandeliers, lights and crystal glass lamps. At one end of the hall, there are replicas of the flags and banners supposedly carried by Imam Hussain’s army. You will also find a number of tazias (“a replica of the tomb of Husain, the martyred son of Muhammad, that is carried in processions during the Shiʽite festival of Muharram”) made of sandalwood, ivory and silver as well as a huge one made entirely of wax. At the other end of the hall, a number of exquisite calligraphic artwork is displayed. Amongst them, you will notice a pigeon with a letter on its beak. A painting of the late King in all his regalia is also displayed on one wall.
In the centre of this hall, in a fenced off area, Naseer-ud-Daulah Mohammed Ali Shah, the Third King and his mother, lie buried.
Drive around to admire mustard fieids!
Just drive on the outskirts of Lucknow or in the Highways leading to Allahabad or Varanasi and you will be bowled over by the beauty of the fields nearby especially the yellow flower filled mustard fields. It is truly a very beautiful sight.
Visit the Railway station!!!
The railway station in Lucknow is worth a visit. The building is impressive no doubt. It also has a legend to its credit. It houses a Dargah. It is believed that during the British rule, they were unable to lay the railway track until they built a Dargah there. Now during the festival of Urs, the station is decorated very grandly.
Visit the Shahi Bowli!!!
This was constructed to serve as a guest house, however, later it served as a hideout for soldiers. This is adjacent to the Bada Imam Bara. It is totally amazing architecture in terms of fore thought and strategic construction. There were totally 6 storeys constructed below the ground, now only three remain. The whole construction is around a well that was filled with water. In another area opposite to the front gate a small patch of water was used to reflect the entrance. This alerted the people inside of enemies. Engage a guide for Rs. 75 and hear about the fascinating details. This is surely a must visit.
Bada Imam Barah... a must visit!!!
Construction of Bara Imambara was started in 1785, a year of a devastating famine, and one of Asaf-ud-Daula's objectives in embarking on this grandiose project was to provide employment for people in the region. It is said that ordinary people used to work in the day building up the edifice, while noblemen and other elite worked at night.
The main imambara consists of a large vaulted central chamber containing the tomb of Asaf-ud-Daula. it has no beams supporting the ceiling and is one of the largest such arched constructions in the world. There are eight surrounding chambers built to different roof heights, permitting the space above these to be reconstructed as a three-dimensional labyrinth with passages interconnecting with each other through 489 identical doorways. This part of the building, and often the whole complex, are referred to as the bhulbhulayah. It is a maze that is totally mind boggling.
A fascinating fact is that the acoustics in the hall are so good that a match lighting sound, sound of snapping fingers or the sound of paper being torn can be heard so clearly from one from end to the other end of the hall. Guides would demonstrate this to you. In the Bhool Bhulaiyaa section you will be amazed at how even a whisper in a parallel room can be heard so clearly. The walls have ears indeed!!
Engage a guide for Rs.225 for five persons. They will give you fascinating details.
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