Ten Places No Tourist Can Afford to Miss in Lucknow
Posted on September 24, 2022 by Ghoomophiro
Lucknow, the capital of the largest state of India – Uttar Pradesh, has been famously dubbed the ‘city of Nawabs’ due to its rise to prosperity under the famous Nawabs during the Mughal empire times. The city still marks the marks of its years of prosperity in the form of various historical landmarks here. While it would need a long list just to name all these historical landmarks, Lucknow offers several other tourist attractions as well. This article will discuss some of the must-see tourist attractions of the city.
Let us get our list started:
1. Bara Imambara
The first and the most picturesque in our list of must-see places in Lucknow is Bara Imambara; which has the distinction of being Asia’s largest hall and complex. It is also known as Asfi Imambara and is named after the name of the Nawab of Lucknow who got it constructed. For Muslims, the best time to visit it is during Muharram which is widely celebrated here. Imambara represents Mughal architecture at its prosperous best. There is also a labyrinth here known as Bhul Bhulaiya. As its name suggests, this maze will make you feel lost in no time. Bhul Bhulaiya is located on the upper floor of the monument. it is an important place of worship for the Muslims who come here every year to celebrate the religious festival of Muharram. The Imambara is especially known for its incredible maze, known as Bhul Bhulaiya locally, which is located on the upper floor of the monument.
2. Chota Imambara
Though not as magnificent as Bara Imambar, Chota Imambara has its own unique pristine beauty. Also known as the Imambara of Hussainabad, it was built by Muhammad Ali Shah, the third Nawab of Awadh. Placed to the west of its bigger cousin, it was built in 1848 to serve as the mausoleum for Muhammad Ali Shah and his mother who are both buried here.
3. Rumi Gata
The famous Rumi Gate is another popular destination that sits right between the two Imambaras. Built byNawab Asaf-ul-Daula, it is also popular as the Turkish Gate – because it was structured after the famous Bab-i-Humayun gateway in Turkey.
4. Chattar Manzil
A survey of the various tourist attractions of the city of Lucknow can’t be complete without Chattar Manzil. Meaning ‘Umbrella Destination’; it was the palace where the famous Nawabs of the city lived.
5. Hussainabad Picture Gallery
Another must-see place in Lucknow that is close to Chota Imambara is the famous Hussainabad Picture Gallery, Showcasing some of the best and awe-inspiring artworks of its time, the gallery mostly comprises of the paintings of the most famous Nawabs of the city. It is the best way of getting a chance to be face-to-face with the Nawabs that gave the city of Nawabs its nickname.’
6. Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid was an obvious member of our list of must-see tourist destinations in Lucknow. There are three different reasons why tourists might want to visit this one – first, Muslims will want to visit it for religious reasons. Secondly, those in architecture will not like to lose a chance to explore one of the most marvelous mosques in the country. Thirdly, the history enthusiasts too will like to explore the rich history of the famous mosque.
7. Lucknow Museum
Let us take our exploration of the history of the city of Nawab further than monuments by visiting the next item in our list of must-see places in Lucknow – Lucknow Museum; which has on display items from the stone age onwards to the time of Nawabs and includes a really wide array of items.
8. Anandi Water Park
Lucknow has a rich history but it is not all history only. The city also offers several other kinds of attractions to tourists. Anandi Water Park is an amusement park that shall be loved by children and elders alike because of all the fun games one can have there. The famous Disney Water Wonder park can be a better alternative if you are willing to move twenty kilometers along Lucknow-Kanpur Park.
9. Gomti Riverfront Park
Now, something for families, for picnics, or just for a stroll – and our list of must-see places in Lucknow has something perfect for that in Gomti Riverfront Park. The park is the perfect place to be in for those who like tranquil pleasures.
10. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary
The last item in this list of must-see places in Lucknow is Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary. Not exactly in Lucknow – in fact, it is located at a distance of 45 kilometers from the city on Lucknow-Kanpur Highway, the sanctuary finds its inclusions here as something for wildlife enthusiasts as the sanctuary is home to at least 250 species of birds.
Also, check out our article on Bharatpur bird sanctuary – a mini paradise in Rajasthan dry state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are several questions people ask that relate to Lucknow. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) on this subject:
Question: What are some of the other places one can see in the city of Lucknow?
Answer: The above list of places to visit in Lucknow is by no means comprehensive. Some other places you may want to explore in Lucknow include Safed Baradari, Hathi Park, Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, Shaheed Smarak or Martyrs’ Memorial, Husainabad Clock Tower (the tallest tower in India), Dr. Ram Manohar Lohiya Park, Husainabad Clock Tower, Sikandar Bagh, Kaiserbagh Palace, Tomb of Saadat Ali Khan, Ramakrishna Math, Moti Mahal, Firangi Maha, Janeshwar Mishra Park, Shahi Baoli, Indira Gandhi Planetarium, Ambedkar Memorial Park, Shah Najaf Imambara, etc/
Question: How did Lucknow get its name?
Answer: There is no established etymology but it is believed that the city was first established as Lakshmanpur by Lord Lakshama, the prince of Ayodhya and the brother of the legendary King Rama from the epic ‘Ramayana’. The name ‘Lucknow’ might have been a distortion of that name.
Question: How to reach Lucknow?
Answer: Being the capital of the largest state of the country, Lucknow is well-connected by road, railways, and airways to the rest of the country and the world. An interesting fact is that the Charbagh Lucknow railway station has a unique design such that it looks like a chessboard from the top.
If the reader has any other questions, they should feel free to ask them in the comments below.
The Bottom Line
One can easily wrap up the above discussion by concluding that one can not visit Lucknow without exploring the places mentioned above.
