Why Does The Bada Imambara Of Lucknow Attract : There is a very old saying that- Morning in Banaras and evening in Lucknow are very beautiful. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah starts the journey of Lucknow city with a lion – “Lucknow is devoted to us, we are devoted to Lucknow, where is the taw in the sky, who will free Lucknow from us”
There is a very famous saying about the Bada Imambara of Lucknow, the city of Nawabs, that “Jise na de maula usse de Asaf-ud-daula”. It was started under the famine relief scheme when there was a severe famine in Awadh and the situation had come like this. That people had nothing to eat. In such a situation, as much as this Imambara was built during the day, it was demolished at night. In such a situation, people used to get employment as well as the will to live life in severe famine. It is said that about 5-10 lakh rupees were spent in its construction at that time. That’s why people coined this proverb in praise of this noble deed of Nawab, “Jise na de Maula usse de Asaf-ud-daula” means to whom even God / God does not give anything, he is ready to give As-af-ud-daula.
The ‘Bada Imambara’, which is included in the unique heritage of Lucknow, was built in 1784 by Nawab Asafuddaula of Awadh. People also know it by the name of ‘Bhul Bhulaiya’. Even after so many years, this building is more beautiful from inside than it is attractive from outside. The Imambara itself is full of amazing architecture, seeing which even today’s architects are amazed. An interesting thing about this building is that in reality this building is neither a mosque nor a tomb. There is a huge hall built inside the Imambara, where tourists reach there through two triple arched paths. The main hall of this building is about 50 meters long and 16 meters wide. Featuring a mixture of Rajput and Mughal architecture with Gothic influences
How long does it take to go?
If you want to come from Delhi, then you can easily come by air / road / rail route. If you fly from Delhi, you can reach Lucknow in less than 2 hours. On the other hand, if you come to Lucknow by road/rail then it will take you 6-7 hours.
How can you go?
If you come from Lucknow bus stand/railway stand/airport then you can take booking taxi from Charbagh/Amausi airport, auto you can go to Imambara.
How long will it take from railway station, airport and bus stand?
If you go to Imambara from the city’s main railway station and bus stand (Charbagh), it will take you 30-45 minutes. Whereas, if you go by local auto and booking taxi from the airport, then it will take you 1:30- 2 hours. Tourists coming by air have got some relief after the Lucknow Metro became operational in the city., Because now you can travel by metro from airport metro station till Charbagh. But after that you will have to get down at Charbagh metro station and take booking taxi, auto to go to Imambara.
How long will it take by taxi or private vehicle from the nearest big city?
If you go to Imambara by taxi or private vehicle from big cities near Lucknow (Kanpur, Barabanki, Rae Bareli, Unnao) then it will take two and a half to three hours.
ticket and toilet
There is an entry fee of Rs.25/- per tourist to visit the Bara Imambara complex. There is no special difficulty in getting tickets. If you want to take digital camera apart from mobile in the campus then you will have to pay a separate fee for the same. But the use of any camera is prohibited in the main premises of the Imambara i.e. the central hall. Along with this, toilets are also made for the convenience of tourists in the premises.
In which season to go?
If you want to visit Bara Imambara of Lucknow then every season of the year is suitable for you.
How to wear clothes?
You can wear whatever clothes you want to come here. However, if you wear clothes according to the weather, then you will not have to face any kind of difficulty.
Don’t forget to watch what?
If you visit Bara Imambara, do not forget to visit the Asfi Masjid, Bhool Bhulaiya and Bawdi located inside the premises. The structure of the stepwell (stepwell) present in the labyrinth will fascinate you. People know it by the name Shahi Hamam. This stepwell is connected to the Gomti river, which has only two floors above the water, the rest of the floor remains under water throughout the year. Apart from this, you can also see Rumi Darwaza, Satkhanda and historical clock tower / bell tower located nearby after coming out of Bara Imambara.
What can be found to eat nearby?
If you come to the Imambara of Lucknow and do not enjoy the delicious dishes available here, then all the fun of visiting is useless. Near Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, Satkhanda and historical clock tower/Ghantaghar, you can find Shahi Tukde, Makhan Malai, famous Tunde Ke Kebab found at Akbari Gate, Lucknowi Biryani and many varieties of Mughlai/Non-veg food. For which you will not need to spend any special money.
What is special about this place?
People say that even walls have ears, so you will find this to be true in the labyrinth built in the Imambara complex. Due to the maze structure, it is a unique and unsolvable puzzle in itself. But the specialty of its walls is that even if you speak in a whisper near the wall in a corner, it can be heard in any corner by putting your ear on these lamps. Not only this, the length of the Persian Hall built in the middle of this Imambara is 165 feet, in one corner of which if you make a sound with a match stick or paper.From then to the other corner can be easily heard clearly. The reason for this is the black and white hollow lines made in this hall, with the help of which the sound passing from one corner to the other can be easily heard. According to historians, the Nawab of Awadh had made this arrangement to avoid and catch spies hidden in his army. Even if a person from the enemy army had been successful in entering here, he could not have survived the Nawab’s soldiers for a long time.
