Shan-e-awadh, shehar-e-lucknow

Jahan uthi nazar, Tehzeeb rubaru hai. har zarra keh raha… ye Shehar-e-LUCKNOW hai ☺ ☺☺

Lucknow is not only a city but the journey into the hearts that owes its rich culture to newabs, art patrons. Lucknow: shiraz-e-hind, the Constantinople of India, Golden City of the East, the city of newabs, I feel blessed to be a part of the beautiful city. Lucknow is the city of superlatives; at least I believe it is. Shehar-e-lucknow is the perfect mixture of traditional and modern cultures.  No matter what religion we are from, first we serve for humanity. As every lucknowite feels: Siyasat me zaruri hai, rawadari smjhte hai!! Wo roza nahi rakhte magar iftari samjhte hain!! Ok, today is not the day to write what we lucknawi newabs feel about our siyasat. ☺ ☺ ☺ Lets focus the on best places to do rangbazi in tehzeeb ka shehar.

While enjoying the lakshman puri, I met different kind of people and learned different languages like urdu and Awadhi which I was never taught in school. And the most enthusiastic part was to get so much of love and warmth from localites as I am while wondering in the city. I visited old Lucknow at first and I am sharing here my exotic experience at some of historical places:

• Bara imambara- Asafi Imambara is a huge complex in Lucknow built by Asaf-ud-Daula, a Nawab of Lucknow in 1784. The famous pharase about him was “Jisko na de maula, usko de newab Asaf-ud-Daula.” Bara means big and an imambara is a shrine built by Shia Muslims for the purpose of Azadari. This magnificent monument recalls the glorious past of the Newabs and stands out for its austerity in style, proportion and symmetry along with its unique in architecture.
• Chota imambara- Hussainabad Imambara was built between 1837 and 1842. This structure houses the tombs of the Newab Muhammad Ali Shah the most courteous newab and of his ammi. The entry finally leads to a fine garden. It has a white dome and numerous turrets and minarets and the walls of the mausoleum are decorated with verses in Arabic language. Chandeliers, gilded mirrors, colorful stucco, the King's throne and ornate tazia or replicas of the tombs at Karbala adorn the interior.
• Rumi darwaza – As the picture shows the little newabs posing with bhaukal in front of Rumi Gate. I loved the tashan they carry in their actions. The amazing structure was once a part of famine relief plans for which the bara Imambara was commissioned in 1783.
• Picture Gallery- After 10 minutes walking from rumi darwaza next  goal was the picture gallery with the most fascinating thing to the visit a live size portrait of the Nawabs of Avadh built by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah.
• Kudia ghat- it was the next stop I reached, small but calm place to relax with the mesmerizing view of clock tower.

Though historical places were still left I chose for other visits in next attempt while giving a break to lucknowi history.

• Cathedral church: this was very generous part, I visited cathedral church, there was an unspeakable calm everywhere, soothe minds, relaxed souls. Oh jejus!
• Bhootnath Temple: The big building, awful architecture, strong black gate, and the big premises with rows of trees defined the Hanuman temple. While praying to the Hanuman ji I was totally concentrated on the “ladoo” and finally I got them.  Actually “Mandir to bahana hai, shopping par jo jana hai”☺. After the temple visit I rushed to shop on street, was literally worried about that black dress which I saw on the way.

• Chauk Bazar: when shopping has started and that too in Lucknow how can any forget CHIKANKARI. So it was the time to look at way to Chauk Bazar. Only I know how I restricted myself while purchasing, as the mind didn’t allowed to go out of balance.

In the chain I visited Aminabad Market & Janpath Market and was finally bankrupt! @ @ Thank god I already had tasted prakash ki kulfi but the smell of tundey kebabi realized me my mistake. Gol Market, Love lane HazratGanj, Sahara Ganj  and many more markets are still left for the next round.

• Musical fountain Theme Park- River Front: Ah!! After a tiring day what does one need? Some peace and some food, and I got the both here, nothing else was required! Just lay down on the green grass and enjoy the beautification with the lights and music. Refresh yourself from the inside out, and get ready for the next destination.
• Ambedkar Park: It was impossible to be in gomtinagar and avoid ambedkar park. I made a count two times! And then believed that it actually have 61 live size elephants. Each of them was looking at me like I am here to eat their food.  The city looks amazing from the top; I wish to get a room over there.
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park: I guess it’s better to call it a bird sanctuary instead of a park. But the song without words by the birds (singers of nature) added much more to the beauty of nature and to the enthusiastic walk with the soul. Though day was going but the energy to dance was back that took me to the main road and after getting confused between zero degree and aura, reached aura at fun mall. The music increased from slow to high and made my mood to move the booty with the song “thirka de beat pe booty, beat pe booty”.  Danced, danced and danced until I as well as my high heels was totally gone.

Another day was about to end with satisfaction and in wait of beautiful morning to explore more. Though I tried my best in exploring the city, but it was only forty percent of shehar-e-awadh captured. Just waiting for other week off and I’ll be ready to explore, please be ready to tolerate me! ☺ ☺ :0

MUSKURAYE AAP LUCKNOW ME HAIN!! ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺