Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh, India and the largest city in the state.

Culture and History

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, thrives along the banks of Gomti river. Nawab Asaf ud Daula is attributed to be the creator of Lucknow as it stands today. She reached its acme during the reign of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah a patron saint of music and poetry. The city, Awadh and UP fell to the British during his reign. Today, the city is dotted with remnants of its rich cultural past.

Lucknow is also known for its elaborate cuisine and 'Chikankaari' or exquisite shadow-work embroidery on fine muslin cloth.

Lucknow is a historically important city and for many centuries was at the heart of North Indian culture. In particular, the city was famous for its Adab and Tehzeeb (manners and hospitality), intricate embroidery, beautiful gardens and dance forms such as Kathak. It was also one of the sites of the 1857 Indian Mutiny (or First War of Indian Independence). However, despite the city's long and illustrious history, modern day Lucknow is somewhat neglected and chaotic and, barring the notable exception of Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara, is bereft of any major tourist attractions. The Hindi spoken in Lucknow, however, is considered the most beautiful and gentle in the country. Currently the city has a population of around 2.5 million.

Lucknow is the heart of the art, cuisine, dance, culture and music of Northern India. It was the cradle of the Hindu-Muslim-Sikh symbioses that made India great. it brought in the best of various cultures and accepted Western institutions like La Martinier in her womb. It was made famous by the soft-spoken, and sweet tongued, Awadh-lucknowai culture that was based on "civilized behaviour" toward fellow human beings. Lucknow is the home of Urdu, Hindustani and Hindi languages. The city became known as a centre for Urdu poetry and courtly presence and diction. Many poets were born and lived here. The "mushaira" an event of reading poetry formed the heart of Lucknow's nightlife. the "mushaira's" went on through the wee hours of the night. It'a only rival in Northern India was Delhi, though Lucknowies were always embroiled in a heathy rivalry with Delhi, home of the famous poet Ghalib and others.

In the heart of Lucknow is "Farangi Mahal" named as the Oxford and Cambridge of India by famous Indian author Shibli Naumani. Farangi Mahal was a nursery of freedom, affiliated by the Azad brothers, and visted by Gandhi.

A former Prime Minister, the Right Honorable, Mr. Atal Biharee Vajpayee was from Lucknow. Lucknow is also the home of Chaudhry Haider Husein one of the members of the constituent assembly of India and a member of parliament who defeated Mr. Vajpayee one of the recent Prime Ministers of India.

The classic Satyajit Ray movie 'the Chess Players' was set in Lucknow, and showcases court life there during the mid-nineteenth century. Umrau Jan Aada was also filmed in and around Lucknow.

Travel to Lucknow, visa requirements

Flights to Lucknow, airtickets

There are daily flights from Delhi, Bombay and Kolkata. Amausi Airport, Lucknow is directly connected with Delhi, Patna, Kolkata, Bombay and Varanasi by direct flights. Indian Airlines, Reservation Enquiry, Ph : (0522)220927 Flight Information - Amausi Airport, Enquiry - Ph : (0522)435401, 436188 (pre recorded - 142) Air India-Janata Travels, (General Sale Agent) Hotel Clarks Awadh, 8, M.g. Road, Ph: (0522)226171 Sahara India Airlines, Sahara India Tower, 7, Kapoorthala Complex, Ph : (0522)377675, 372742

By train

Lucknow is on the New Delhi - Varanasi railway route. Connections can be made to Agra and Allahabad. A major railway junction, Lucknow is conveniently connected to many cities. Some of the important trains are : 5307/5308 Shatabadi Ex. : 5063/5064; Nainital Ex; : 9165/9166; Sabarmati Exp : 2553/2554; Vaishali Exp : 5609/5610; Awadh-Assam Exp : 8475/8476; Neelanchal Exp : 4283/4284; Ganga-Yamuna Exp : 4229/4230 Lucknow Mail : 2419/2420; Gomti Exp : 4057/4058; Kashi-Vishwanath Exp : 4011/4012; Nauchandi Exp : 1015/1016; Bombay-Gorakhpur Exp : 5011/5012; Cochin-Gorakhpur Exp.

The Important Contact for Lucknow Railways are as under:-

Railways Manual Enquiry 131, 135, 2636132 Pre Recorded 1331, 1332 Reservation 1330, 1350, 0522-2635841 Badshahnagar 0522-2385182

0522 is Lucknow STD code.

By road

Lucknow is connected by road with all the major cities of the country. Some of the major road distances are : Agra - 363 km, Allahabad - 210 km, Ayodhya - 135 km, Kolkata - 985 km, Corbett National Park - 400 km, Delhi - 497 km, Dudhwa National Park - 238 km, Kanpur - 79 km, Khajuraho - 320 km, Varanasi - 305 km.

Buses to Lucknow

The Bus Stations are situated at Charbagh, Alambagh, and Kaisar Bagh.

The Telephone No for Roadways Inter State Bus Terminal Alambagh is : 0522-2458096

Buses from Sunauli-Bhairawa on the India/Nepal border stop on their way to Varanasi.

Get around

From Lucknow to New Delhi There is a luxury AC bus from quaiser Bagh Bus station. Root for this bus is Lucknow - Sitapur - Barailly - Muradabad - Gaziabad - New Delhi [Anand Vihar ISBT]

Lucknow attractions and sightseeing

• Bara Imambara. A large and imposing complex built in 1783.
• Rumi Darwaza
• Chhota Imambara. An imposing mausoleum built by the third Nawab of Avadh in 1837.
• La Martiniere College (boys) Building also known as 'Constantia' - La Martiniere College is one of the oldest schools in the country. http://www.lamartinierelucknow.org/. It was built in 1840 and started as a school in 1845. The school building is still well mantained. Best time to visit is either in the morning 8AM when one can see the assembly or after the school gets over at 1:30PM. The building has featured in several Bollywood movies also.
• Husainabad Clock Tower British landmark
• Ruins of the Lucknow Residency and Museum
• Dilkusha ruins
• Qaiserbagh complex
• Crocodile sanctuary at Kukrail
• The Ram Krishna Math (Nirala Nagar)
• The Zoo/Museum
• Buddha Park
• Shahid Smarak
• Cathedral School in Hazaratganj
• Farangi Mahal. (The Oxford and Cambride of our India--Author/poet Shibli Naumani). For more details see book by Dr. Francis Robinson on the "Ulema of Farangi Mahal"
• Colvin Taluqdars College Also a must see place it has great architecture built in 1869 named after Sir Auckland Colvin

Do

• Sahara Ganj Shopping Mall & PVR Cinemas, Shahnajaf Road
• East End Mall & Wave Cinemas, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar
• Fun Republic Mall & Fun Cinemas, Adjacent Eldeco Greens, Gomti Nagar
• Hazaratganj, the center of the city
• Nadiya Ke Paar Near Laxman Mela Maidan

Shopping, Lucknow souvenirs

• Nishatganj"
• Aminabad
• Hazratganj Market
• Chowk
• BhootNath

Kapoorthla" "Sahara Ganj" "FUN Republic"

Chikan dress --- a cotton dress with hand made embroidery on it, is a must-buy in Lucknow. These garments are both for men and women. The cost is any where between Rs 250-2500 depending on the "chikan work("hand embroidery work on cloth is of various types, "Murri" is the traditional handwork and is therefore a little more expensive ). In old Chowk and Aminabad it's a small scale industry so it is cheaper to buy from there. Bhartiya Chikan Centre and Manoj Chikan, on Nadan Mahal Road are reasonably priced. In Hajratganj ("Ganj") the same piece will cost some 200 rupees more. Beware of the touts who will take you to shops near the Civil Hospital and Hussain Ganj where the prices are even 500%

Good restaurants and cheap meals

Every one knows about the famous Lucknow tikkas and kebabs. They are Mughalai delicacies. Dastharkwan near Tulsi theatre, Alzaiqa near Novelty theatre, Lalbagh, many roadside hotels near Aminabad and old Chowk offer cheap and unique type of dishes. If you are looking in the "splurge" range, Royal Cafe, Aryan's etc in Hazratganj will cater to your needs.The Food Court at Sahara Ganj, near Hazrat Ganj is the recent hot favourite with a number of fast food joints including McDonald's.

• The famous Tundey's Kebabs are available at Aminabad & now at much convenient location of Food Court, Sharaganj Mall. Apart from the road side hotels in Aminabad, Tundae which has been serving kebabs for more than 50 years is a place of must visit.

• A lesser-known but distinctly better joint for connoisseurs is Sakhawat which is located in a narrow lane next to Gymkhana Club, near Gemini Hotel, Hazratgunj. This joint is open only in the evening [5pm-10pm]. Operating since 1911, it has a limited stock and little seating space, but a select clientele.

• For those wanting to be a little adventurous, you can go to Akbari Gate (any public transportation will take you there). This is in the heart of Old Lucknow. Here you can to Haji Sahib's shop for the juiciest Nihari (Lamb shanks in gravy) and Kulchha (a traditional bread). This is the best in the city and is available only between 7:00 am and 10:00 am.

In the same area, during winters one can also enjoy Kashmiri Tea (a red coloured hot tea), with cream and Makhan Malai (a local variant of ice cream - saffron flavoured, made by hanging unsalted butter overnight in dew and then aerating it by beating it)

For some lounge action head towards Mint at Arif Castle and Ultra Violet in Mall Avenue. These places offer non-alcoholic beverages and great food. Food festivals are common at these places.

If coffee and tea is something you like you will find lots of varities at Capuccino Blast at Mall Avenue. Sharma Tea House, Lalbagh and Kewal's, Outside Maqbara Compound, Hazratganj are famous for their tea and mouth watering samosas (Potato stuffed pancake)

• Mc Donalds available at Saharganj Shopping Mall, Fun Republic & East End Mall.
• Pizza Hut available at East End Mall & Opposite Raj Bhawan
• Dominos available at Hazratganj & Faizabad Road
• Tryout the street next to Tulsi thatre in Hazratganj for some exotic non-vegetarian delicacies, specially the Dastarkhwan with its special chicken masala, shaami kebabs and mughlai parathaas

Lucknow nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.

Finding alcohol is not a problem, but there aren't many non-seedy bars, except at five-star restaurants.

A safer drink alternative is the famouse local lassi yogurt drink.

Hotels, youth hostels, lodging

Budget

• Hotel APSARA
• Hotel D D International
• Hotel Manglam
• Hotel Ganpati
• Hotel Asha
• Hotel Basant Vihar
• Hotel Park Avadh
• Hotel Raj
• Hotel Mera Mann
• Hotel Ganga Maiya
• Deep Hotel
• Hotel Diomand
• Hotel Naznin Palace
• Hotel Dileep
• Hotel Ashirwad
• Hotel Mansi Ganga near charbagh railway station ph 0522-2630513,2637841

Mid range

• Hotel Gomati near Hazratgunj and Sharagunj mall is run by UP Tourism and offers decent rooms at moderate cost
• Hotel Gemini Continental Parivartan Chowk.
• Hotel Sagar International Opposite Butler Palace
• Comfort Inn Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar
• Park Inn Laplace
• Arif Castles Rana Pratap Marg
• Carlton Rana Pratap Marg

Splurge

• Hotel Taj Residency Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. +91 522 239 3939( fax:+91 522 239 2282 ''+91 522 239 2465). [1] is one of the landmark hotels of Lucknow
• Clarks Avadh Parivartan Chowk, Mahatma Gandhi Marg is one of the more centrally located hotels in Lucknow. The restaurant named "Falaknuma" at the ninth floor has the right ambience to enjoy a Mughlai dinner with awesome views of the city. The Murg Malai Tikka is recommended.
• Piccadily Hotel Airport Road, Lucknow. It is new addition to the luxury hoetls of Lucknow. Just 3 Kms from Lucknow Airport.

Get out

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