Once a seat of power of the Mughal and British empires, Lucknow is a genteel, cultured city. The capital of Uttar Pradesh will floor you with its tehzeeb or culture, and tameez, which means grace. Lucknow is also the heart of the earthy, royal Awadhi kitchen, and any holiday here is bound to be a feast.
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Lucknow
Local areas in Lucknow
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Art and History
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Relish Awadhi food
Relish Awadhi food
Lucknow is a meat lover’s paradise. Its delicately spiced kebabs, like the kakori and the galauti, are among the most famous. Also leave yourself some space to try the dum pukht biryani and paya (lamb trotters’ soup).
The Residency
The Residency
Built as a gated community for the British, this sprawling complex, with its manicured gardens, was an important site for the events of the First War of Independence in 1857. A museum within the complex also showcases relics and photographs from the uprising.
Rumi Darwaza
Rumi Darwaza
The Rumi Darwaza is an imposing gate that you can drive through, said to be modelled along the Sublime Porte in Istanbul. Built in 1784, this impressive example of Awadhi architecture is another of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula’s edifices. It is located near the Bara Imambara.
Take home chikankari
Take home chikankari
Chikankari, or shadow-work embroidery on muslin cloth is very typical to this regions and you will find saris, stoles, kurtas and blouses at Seva Chikan in a variety of patterns ranging from the original delicate work on pastel fabrics, as well as in some modern, more robust, interpretations.
Explore the Bara Imambara
Explore the Bara Imambara
Lose yourself in the Bhul Bhulaiya, a fascinating maze built into the upper floors of the Bara Imambara. Your skill in finding a way out will be rewarded with panoramic views of Lucknow.
Find Yourself a Unique Scent
Find Yourself a Unique Scent
Whether it is heady perfumes you are after or subtle fragrances, do visit the family-owned Sughandhco. Over one hundred and fifty years old, this Lucknowi institution sells attar (pure essence oil extracted from flowers by a traditional method) as well as perfumes, colognes, household fragrances and incense sticks.
Stroll through the Residency
Stroll through the Residency
Walking through the largely dilapidated but hauntingly beautiful buildings of this former British residential complex is like travelling back in time. The 1857 Memorial Museum houses photos, musket cannons, medals and documents related to the first war of independence.
The Bara Imambara
The Bara Imambara
Tha Bara Imambara is best known for its Bhul Bhulaiya, an incredible maze on the upper floors of the monument. It was built in the Indo-Persian style by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh, to house his own tomb. The gorgeous views of the city from the roof are bound to enchant you.
Go Back In Time At State Museum
Go Back In Time At State Museum
This museum houses important sculptures, delicately carved statuettes from Mathura, and scenes from the Buddha’s life carved in stone, which date back to the 3rd century AD. The bonus to this experience is that the entry to the State Museum is located through the city zoo.
Go picnicking at Kukrail Reserve Forest
Go picnicking at Kukrail Reserve Forest
The Kukrail Reserve Forest houses a rehabilitation centre for gharial, and there are often deer and a variety of birds to be spotted here. With its picnic area, restaurants and play sections, Kukrail offers a nice break from the city.
Treat Yourself to Ancient Traditions
Treat Yourself to Ancient Traditions
Lucknow’s shadow-work embroidery on muslin cloth, known as chikankari, flourished under the Mughals. Find it fashioned into gorgeous, wearable pieces of art in the form of saris, stoles, kurtas and blouses at Seva Chikan, a women’s co-operative.
Visit The Ram Advani Bookshop
Visit The Ram Advani Bookshop
The amiable ninety-plus year old owner, Mr Advani, makes any visit his shop an interesting experience. The store itself stocks a collection of books on Lucknow and contemporary literature.
Visit the State Museum
Visit the State Museum
The entrance to the museum is through the city zoo, and once you’re inside, you will leave the present to go back in time as far as the third century AD. Expect to see gorgeous sculptures of scenes from the life of Buddha and dainty Mathura statuettes.
Enjoy Local Delicacies
Enjoy Local Delicacies
Sample the offerings from the traditional kitchens of Lucknow. Each of the smorgasbord of offerings has a light touch with the spices. Try the soft kakori and the even-softer galauti kebabs, and, of course, the dum pukht biryani and the paya (lamb trotters’ soup).
Drive through the Rumi Darwaza
Drive through the Rumi Darwaza
You’re likely to drive through this impressive gate dating back to 1784 on your explorations of Lucknow. A wonderful showcase of Awadhi architecture, it was built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula and modelled on the lines of an entrance gate in Istanbul.
Dab on some attar
Dab on some attar
The owners of Sughandhco truly know how to capture the essence of flowers. At this store, you will find attar (pure essence oil extracted from flowers by a traditional method) in various forms such as perfume, cologne, household fragrances and incense sticks at this family business, founded in 1850.
Explore The Kukrail Reserve Forest
Explore The Kukrail Reserve Forest
Spend some time at the Kukrail Forest Reserve and its centre for the rehabilitiation of gharials, an endangered crocodilian that is often hunted for their skins. If you are lucky, you may also spot deer and a variety of exotic birds.
Visit a Lucknow institution
Visit a Lucknow institution
Locals visit the Ram Advani Bookshop not just to pick up the current bestsellers, but also to interact with it amiable owner, Mr Ram Advani. His collection of books spans classics, new releases, and books about the history and heritage of Lucknow.
