LucknowA historic city on the banks ofGomti river, this political capital hasa rich cultural heritage. Nowmarked by statues of the well-known politician Mayawati, the cityboasts of a whole host of oldarchitectures, handicrafts industryand a decadent culture andlifestyle, including a typical,charming use of language. VisitLucknow to experience the cultureof central India, and the strongAwadh influences on it.

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Famous For : City

Lucknow has been closely associated withthe history of India itself, particularly since itwas one of the places where the First War ofIndian Independence in 1857 emerged. Ofthis, the ruins of the Lucknow Residency andMuseum are standing witnesses, with marksof cannon-balls still existing on its walls. Theoutcome of a long standing tryst with theNawabi culture, Lucknow exemplifies both"tehzeeb" and "adab", each defining thegrace, beauty and charm of a typicalLucknowi way of life. Home to some of themost delicious Awadhi and Mughlai food,Lucknow offers a great opportunity forthose on a culinary pilgrimage. Therenowned "chikankaari" embroidery hasbecome synonymous with this city, availableas garments or for home decor. The capitalof one of the most prominent states in India,Lucknow continues to be a seat of politics,industry and a vibrant cultural heritage ofcentral India.

Lucknow is a city best known for its

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delicacies and rich cultural heritage. It is acity which is really famous amongfilmmakers. Movie like Daawat-e-Ishq, TanuWeds Manu, Youngistaan, Gadar,Ishaqzaade, Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, andOmkara have featured several gorgeouslocations from in and around Lucknow.

Lucknow can come as a bit of a shock to theuninitiated. Well versed with stories of thedignity and tehzeeb of this Avadhi queen; ofthe bravery of her citizens, who brought acolonial power to its knees — for a shortwhile at least; given the promise of a citywhose leitmotif is a lavish, leisured lifestyle,what the first-timer finds instead is thecapital of the state of Uttar Pradesh,bursting at the seams and eternally chaotic.So, were all those stories about galoutikebabs and Lucknavi adaab, the promises offilms like Umrao Jaan and Pakeezah all false?Not necessarily. There are really threeLucknows, and all you have to do is find theone you dreamt about. There’s the Lucknowbuilt by the Nawabs — rich in colour andcharacter — with mosques, imambaras andnarrow, twisting lanes. There’s BritishLucknow — colonial and stately. Finally,there is modern Lucknow, which puristsrefuse to recognise. It’s like any otherconcrete jungle in India, the traveller cangive it a miss.

When To

VISIThttp://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-lucknow-lp-1097040

JanCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max:22.700000762939453°C

Min: 8.0°C Rain:15.899999618530273mm

FebCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max:26.700000762939453°C

Min:11.199999809265137°C

Rain:15.100000381469727mm

MarPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:32.599998474121094°C

Min: 15.5°C Rain:9.399999618530273mm

AprPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:38.900001525878906°C

Min:20.899999618530273°C

Rain:5.300000190734863mm

MayHot weather. Carry Light clothes, umbrella.Max:40.400001525878906°C

Min:25.100000381469727°C

Rain:70.0999984741211mm

JunHot weather. Carry Light clothes, umbrella.Max:38.70000076293945°C

Min:26.799999237060547°C

Rain:107.0999984741211mm

JulPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.

Lucknow Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/lucknow page 2

Max: 35.0°C Min:26.100000381469727°C

Rain:236.89999389648438mm

AugPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max:34.099998474121094°C

Min:25.899999618530273°C

Rain: 196.0mm

SepPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max:33.900001525878906°C

Min: 24.5°C Rain:211.3000030517578mm

OctPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:33.400001525878906°C

Min:19.700000762939453°C

Rain:28.299999237060547mm

NovPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max:29.700000762939453°C

Min:13.699999809265137°C

Rain:7.699999809265137mm

DecCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max:24.700000762939453°C

Min: 9.5°C Rain:14.300000190734863mm

What To

SEE5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-lucknow-lp-1097040

1 Bara Imambara

Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, UttarPradesh 226003, India

Enveloped in legends and myths, one of themost beautiful monuments in Lucknowstands tall in all its grandeur. Intermingledwith stories and beliefs, the aura of BaraImambara encompasses you as soon as youenter. Constructed in 1784 by BarakImambara Asaf-ud-Daula, it is also known asthe ‘Gravity Defying Palace’. The central hallof the monument has received its fair shareof acclaim worldwide. One of the largest andmost distinctly arched constructions in theworld, the hall at 50 by 16 meters width, andover 15 meters tall, has no beams or pillarssupporting the ceiling. Echoing whisperingsounds throughout the main hall is thearresting balcony in the monument. Tomake things a wee bit more interesting isthe confusing web called Bhul Bhullaiya,bordering the main hall on the first floor,and a step well that connects the building tothe river. Offering a breathtaking view of thecity from the top of the monument, themaze is an absolute delight. Made withmore than 1000 labyrinthine passages, themaze may lead you to a dead end, asurprising fall or strange entry and exitpoints. Along with such mysteries, theImambara also houses the mausoleums ofAsaf-ud-Daula and his family. Discover thebeautiful monument at your own pace, butpreferably with an authorised guide to helpyou. It’s quite easy to lose your way aroundthis grand monument, so hire a guide and

unravel the secrets that call out to you,without getting lost! 

2 Shah Najaf Imambara

Rana Pratap Marg Hazratganj,Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001,India

Built to commemorate Shah Najaf, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, the ShahNajaf Imambara is another importantmonument to visit when you're in Lucknow.Resembling the tomb of Hazrat Ali (anothername of Shah Najaf) in Iraq, this monumentwas built by Nawab Ghazi-ud-Din Haiderand serves as Haider's own mausoleum, asaccording to his wishes, he was buried herealong with his three wives. The place is alsoknown as Karbala for the same reason.

Constructed on the bank of the river Gomti,this architectural marvel is designed in theshape of a dome. The designs on the tombsinside the monument will be a feast for youreyes. Ghazi-ud-Din Haider's tomb is made of

silver and another tomb, belonging to one ofhis wives, is a beautiful one, made of silverand gold. The central dome is decoratedwith passages on its sides and on thebirthday of Hazrat Ali, the entire place isilluminated, making it a breathtaking,magnificent sight to behold.

3 Kaiserbagh Palace

Lucknow Centre, Lucknow, UttarPradesh 226001, India

The Kaiserbagh Palace was constructed in1850, when Lucknow was ruled by NawabWajid Ali Shah. This grand palace complexexpands from the Chattar Manzil to theTarawali Kothi on the northern side, andfrom Roshan-ud-Daula Kothi to theChaulakhi Kothi on the southern side. Someparts of the palace were demolished by theBritish after the revolt of 1857, as the palacebecame a stronghold of the Nawab's wife,who was a leader of Awadh revolutionariesat the time.

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The palace, parts of which are in ruins now,has a garden, styled in the Persian Charbaghlayout. The architecture of the palace is themain attraction that draws visitors from allover the country. You will find here anamalgamation of different styles that cometogether to give the structure its uniquecharacter. From eye-catching columns tominarets and well-planned pathways, youwill be in awe of this palace, beckoning youto come back again and again!

4 Dilkusha Kothi Palace

4 km from Hazrat Gunj, Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India

Dilkusha KothiPalace, now partly in-ruinsstructure, gives an insight into the memoriesof bygone eras. Built in the year 1800 byMajor Gore Ouseley, a Britisher who was afriend of the then Nawab of Awadh, SaadatAli Khan, this monument was once a huntinglodge as well as a summer retreat of therulers. The architectural style of this three-storeyed monument is different from theusual Indian style of that period as the

building was designed in the EuropeanBaroque style. The huge pillars on the front,grand steps leading to those pillars and thespires (which are now barely visible) on thesides of the monument are examples of thisstyle of architecture. The Archaeological Survey of India has takenup steps to preserve this place and today,the park around this monument is afavourite place for visitors, mostly duringwinter for the glorious sunshine.  Avisit to this marvellous piece ofLucknow, which is situated near the bank ofthe river Gomti, will provide you a glimpse ofthe ancient splendour and style, for whichthe city was and is famous all over thecountry.

5 Mankameshwar Mandir

Mukarimnagar, Hasanganj Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh 226020,India

Believed to be almost ancient,Mankameshwar Mandir is a popular templein Lucknow. This temple is dedicated to the

Hindu god Shiva and it sees many devoteeseveryday, throughout the year, specially onMondays, which is considered to be anauspicious day to worship the lord.

If you are a devotee of Shiva, do visit thistemple during Shivaratri festival and you willbe amazed to see the number of devotees,who throng the temple with prayers on theirmind and offering on their hands. Join thedevotees in prayers and you will feel theholy vibe surrounding you all around. Apartfrom all these, the magnificent and colourfulstatues and designs on the entrance of thetemple are something that should not bemissed out.

Mankameshwar Mandir is also famous forhaving a woman as its chief priest or the'mahant'. 

Where To

Eat5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-lucknow-lp-1097040

1 Tunday Kababi

168/6, Naaz Cinema Road,Nazirabad, Aminabad, Lucknow,Uttar Pradesh, 226001, India

+91-93359-11858|+91-93359-15031|+91-522-4108929

What can one say about a place which isalways bustling with people and isenveloped in an addictive aroma of herbsand spices? That it is one of the best eatingjoints in the city! Yes, Tunday Kababirepresents the culinary delights thatLucknow is so famous for.

Delicately tucked away in a narrow street inAminabad, the local eatery is not so muchabout the ambience as it is for its appetising,mouth watering food. Try everything andanything you can, from tender galautikebabs to the mutton biryani and chickenkorma.

If your foodie desires are still not satisfied,pack a plateful of biryani and there, yournext meal is sorted!

2 Royal Cafe

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51-Hazaratganj, Lucknow, UttarPradesh, 226001, India

+91-522-2627070

One of the oldest eating joints in Lucknow,Royal Cafe still upholds its warm service andcity wide reputation for delicious food. Theirextensive multi-cuisine menu will leave youabsolutely spoilt for choice. From theinnovating basket chaat to the special Royalcafe chicken masala, the food here is fingerlicking good. Looking for a small snack or ascrumptious meal, Royal Cafe will notdisappoint you. Bustling with people, theservice may be a tad bit slow, but once thefood is on your table, the wait will definitelyseem worthwhile. Enjoy a lavish family mealhere or fill your tummy with spicy delightsbefore for an energetic shopping spree.

3 Oudhyana

Vivanta by Taj, Gomti Nagar,Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226001,India

+91-522-6711530

A perfect blend of style and simplicity,Oudhyana is a real treat for foodies. Thelovely restaurants offers an enticing varietyof dishes. From the tender tundey kebabs tothe finger licking good reshmi kebabs, nonvegetarians will be satisfied beyond belief.You must also ask for the chef special forthe day if you don’t want to miss out ondelectable delights. The Sevian ka Muzzafar,which is an original vermicelli dessert, isabsolutely out of the world with its subtleflavours. Head to Oudhyana and you can berest assured that your day will be made justperfect!

4 Chote Nawab

14 A, 1st Floor, Near Butler Palace,Jopling Road, Lucknow, UttarPradesh, 226001, India

+91-522-4107777+91-93222-90269

Chote Nawab has been preserving the

colourful culture of Lucknow, and literallyso! A restaurant that serves the famousLucknowi cuisine, with dishes ranging fromMurgh Shami Kebab and Nawabi GhostSheekh Kebab to vegetarian delicacies likePudina Paneer Tikka and Subz Shami Kebab,the aromas of Lucknow will tempt you to tryout all the dishes on the restaurant's menu.The ambience of this lovely restaurant issomething that adds to the USP of the place.So, make sure you don not leave out thisplace when you are planning your itineraryfor Lucknow.

5 The Yellow Chilli

4th Floor, Shalimar Eldee Plaza,Faizabad Road, Near Bhoot NathMarket, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh,226016, India

+91-522-3015053

Yellow Chilli is a chain of restaurants run bythe famous celebrity chef, Sanjeev Kapoor.The Yellow Chilli in Lucknow has a plushinterior with wooden furnishings and off-white walls that bring a happy glow to theplace. The foodie in you will be more thandelighted after reading the menu list. Fromvegetarian dishes like the spicy HaripaPaneer Tikka and the Aloo Nazakhat, that

has a nutty taste, to the non-vegetariandelicacies like the Pudina Seekh and thefiery Bhatti Bhuna Murgh, you will be spoiltfor choice. So leave your diet plans behindand start savouring!

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Quick

LOCATEhttp://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-lucknow-lp-1097040

SeeA: Bara ImambaraB: Shah Najaf ImambaraC: Kaiserbagh PalaceD: Dilkusha Kothi PalaceE: Mankameshwar Mandir

AccommodationF: Saubhagya InnG: Vivanta by TajH: Hotel The ContinentalI: Saubhagya InnJ: Vivanta by TajK: Hotel The ContinentalL: Saubhagya InnM: Vivanta by TajN: Hotel The Continental

FoodO: Tunday KababiP: Royal CafeQ: OudhyanaR: Chote NawabS: The Yellow Chilli