Lucknow is a city synonymous with the Nawabi Culture. The imperialistic splendour and magnificence of the Nawabi Era has been glorified and eulogized down the ages by writers, poets and historians alike. At the same time its mystical elegance and amorous ethos has caught the fascination of many world famous romantics.
Known for its Adab and Tehzeeb (cultural refinement), Lucknow is also associated with its legendary hospitality, leisurely moods of life, fabled edifices steeped in history, world renowned cuisine and exquisite Sham-e-Avadh. Tremors of time have not effaced Lucknow of its cultural heritage and traditions, which once contributed in creating the city incomparable in its times.
As the 18th century seat of the Nawabs of Avadh, Lucknow flourished becoming an important political and cultural centre, rivalling Delhi in its patronage to art and literature. It was during this time that culture and architecture synthesized emerging in a distinct form now so typical to the Lucknow culture. The peace and prosperity under the governance of the nawabs brought about a cultural renaissance in Avadh. Musicians and dancers flocked to Lucknow giving birth to new musical forms and instruments under the patronage of the royalty.
Art forms like Kathak, Thumri, Khayal, Dadra, Qawalis, Ghazals and Shero Shairisaw their finest hour. In this era major stress was laid on even minor details like the art of dressing, apparels (libaas) and jewellery all symbolic of a genteel lifestyle.
The legacy of the exquisite embroidery still lives on with equal zest in today’s modern era. Culinary skills, too, reached heights of excellence as the nawabs were not only gracious hosts but also extremely fond of good nutritious food. Thus emerged the skillful art of slow cooking. The royalty of Avadh was also famous for indulging in extravagant pastimes like elephant and rooster fights and kite flying, a game that still evokes passionate involvement among the flyers and the bystander alike. The field of architecture saw re-interpretation of the existing styles and experimentation in the fusion of the occidental and the oriental style of architecture. The magnificent edifices standing proudly among the architectural skyline of the city are living examples of the na wab’s architectural ingenuity.
Places of Interest
- Rumi Darwaza
- Asafi Imambara (Bara Imambara)
- Chhota Imambara
- Jama Masjid
- Clock Tower & Picture Gallery
- Hussainabad Picture Gallery
- Shahnajaf Imambara
- Residency
- Kaiserbagh Palace Complex
- Tombs of Saadat Ali Khan & Khurshid Zaidi
- La Martiniere
- Indira Gandhi Planetarium
- Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park
- Chhatar Manzil
- Kukrail Reserve Forest
- Regional Science City
- National Botanical Research Institute
- Shaheed Smarak (Martyrs’ Memorial)
- Dilkusha Garden
- Lord Hanuman Temples of Aliganj
- Charbagh Rrailway Station
- Vidhan Sabha Bhawan (The Council House)
New Development in Lucknow
Lucknow Metro
The city of Nawabs, known for mannerisms and tonga rides, is gearing up to welcome its own metro rail network. the first phase of the Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC), the proposed special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the project, would be up and running by 2016-17. Uttar Pradesh government already given a formal nod to the proposed Lucknow Metro Rail Corporation (LMRC) project. The state cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav put its stamp of approval on the development of the metro rail network.
The proposed metro rail network was planned to consist of two corridors – North-South and East-West one from Amausi to Munshi Pulia and other from Vasant Kunj to Charbagh Railway Station. Both lines will intersect at Charbagh. An extension line from Indira Nagar – Gomti Nagar – Polytechnic Crossing will extend it to Patrakarpuram, Gomti Nagar. The construction cost was estimated at Rs. 74.13 billion for North-South corridor, Rs. 48.79 billion for East-West corridor and Rs. 4.95 billion for Gomti Nagar.
IT SEZ Managed By HCL
HCL, which was established in partnership with U.P Government four decades ago and has since then progressed to be a leading global IT services provider today shared that it continues to invest in the Human Capital Investment in the state of Uttar Pradesh. HCL will develop a state-of-the-art 100 acre IT city in the state capital, Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh Government has awarded the project to Vamasundari Investments Private Limited, the investment arm of HCL. Earmarked to come up over a 100 acre plot of land, approximately 60 acres of the proposed IT City will be allotted to IT and ITeS, including a Hi-tech skill development center while the rest 40 acres is intended for support infrastructure and initiates of social impact.
Internatinoal Cricket Stadium
Lucknow is all set to get a state-of-the art International Cricket Stadium by the first quarter of 2017.”The Stadium would be built on a public-private-partnership model and the developer has been mandated to complete all work by the end of the first quarter of 2017.
How To Reach Lucknow
By Air
Lucknow airport known as Chaudhary Charn Singh Airport it is an international airport. The Lucknow airport is 14 km away from the heart of the city. Pre-paid taxi services from airport charge about Rs 300 to Lucknow city center. Lucknow is connected to airports in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Jaipur and Mumbai by daily flights.
By Train
Lucknow City Centre is a major railway station in North India. It connects to all rail heads in India. It is directly connected to Trivandrum Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Guwahati, Nagaland, Yeshvantapur, Pune, Nasik, Jhashi, Bhusawal, Bhopal, Jammu Tawi, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chattisgarh, Puri, Haryana, Dehradun and Hisar Etc.
By Road
Lucknow is well connected by a network of roads and road transport to all major towns of Uttar Pradesh and surrounding areas. The Distance between Lucknow and other prominent cities are: Delhi (497km), Agra (363km), Allahabad (238 km), Dehradun (582km), Kanpur (77km), Faizabad(130), Sitapur(80) and Varanasi (300km) and state like Bihar, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Haryana,
