Whenever someone talks about India, the only cities you may consider visiting would be Mumbai or Delhi. However, did you know that there are many other gems in India’s crown? One of them being Lucknow.
Let me tell you that Lucknow is every history and food lover’s paradise. This artistic city is also known as the ‘City of Nawabs’ owing to its rich culture and heritage.
Also, did you know that it is one of the cities involved in the 'Uttar Pradesh Heritage Arc' along with Agra and Varanasi?
There are so many mesmerizing historical places to visit and scrumptious dishes to eat, especially for a Muslim traveler. So, read on to find out 5 things you need to experience in Lucknow!
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Entry Ticket: Rs. 25 (locals) and Rs. 500 (International visitors)
Experience the royalty feels like never before in the grandeur of Bara Imambara. This monument was built back in 1784 by the famous Awadhi Nawab, Asaf-Ud-Daula.
The entire architecture of this monument can render you speechless with the presence of a beautiful Mosque, a stepwell, and a maze or labyrinth too! You can also gaze at the two magnificent gateways leading you to the main central hall. This hall is considered to be one of the largest vaulted chambers amongst many others.
So, trust me when I say this but Bara Imambara is one of the most unique historical monuments in India!
Image Credit: Prachi Srivastava, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Entry Ticket: Rs. 60 (Adults) and Rs. 30 (Children below 12 years)
If you wish to step out of the historical side of Lucknow and want to do something fun, you can always consider visiting Lucknow Zoo.
Lucknow zoo is surrounded by peace and serenity. Thus, allowing you to take a detour and just relax. Moreover, you can also find exotic animals here, like White Tiger, Hog Deer, Indian Wolf, and many more!
Other activities are available too such as boating. You can also find the vintage train of the British Era exhibited in the zoo.
To make the most of the experience, consider going on a cool day to avoid extreme temperatures.
Image Credit: Maghnanisimran, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
You haven’t explored Lucknow until you experience the real historical or Nawabi side of it! This city of Nawabs is known for its many historical structures, like the Chota Imambara, Rumi Darwaza, and Dilkusha Kothi.
Chota Imambara is decorated with elaborative and glorious chandeliers and lamps. Due to this reason, it is also known as the ‘Palace of Lights’. So, be sure to give it a visit to experience its fine opulence.
Have you ever seen a gateway designed with extreme intricacy and delicateness? Well, if not, head over to the Rumi Darwaza in Lucknow! Rumi Darwaza is situated between the Chota and Bara Imambara and is one of the most elegant gateways due to its striking architecture.
Other historical places in Lucknow include Chattar Manzil and Husainabad Clock Tower. You can also visit Jama Masjid in Lucknow and offer your prayers there if time permits!
Image Credit: reivax, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Visiting Lucknow without tasting its delicious cuisine is like going to Italy and not tasting Pizza! So, make sure that you save some space in your tummy to taste the wonder that is Awadhi cuisine.
One of the first dishes you need to try in Lucknow is kebabs. These kebabs are to die for and can even impress Gordon Ramsay! You can try them out with Roomali Roti too. Tunday Kababi is a great place to have an unforgettable experience.
Some of the other dishes that you can taste include Awadhi Biryani, Shami Kebabs, and Nihari Kulcha. For desserts, don’t forget to try out Kulfi!
These dishes are certainly an explosion of unique flavors that will make you speechless.
Image Credit: Mohit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to get some lovely Indian attires or even artificial jewelry, then there are many places to shop in Lucknow.
For instance, for high-end shops, you can visit the Hazratganj. This bazaar is almost a century-old and has pretty much all the popular brands, showrooms, and restaurants too!
However, if you wish to bargain and shop in bulk, you can also visit the Aminabad Market. It is one of the oldest markets in Lucknow and is perfect to buy everything from clothes to jewelry at a reasonable rate as long as you know how to bargain!
Image Credit: Yash Lalwani on Unsplash
To conclude, Lucknow is literally a paradise for those who want everything historical. From monuments to shopping centers to the air of Lucknow, every aspect of this city is seeped in with the Awadhi history.
So, bask in the evergreen beauty of Lucknow by visiting the above-mentioned places!
We also hope this guide helped you figure out your next trip to Lucknow and make the most of it. For more such blogs, check out HalalTrip to plan your next trip wherever you want!
