Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs

Tripoto
29th Jan 2015
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 1/21 by Suhani Sharma
The beautiful Charbagh Railway Station, a symbol of arrical in Lucknow
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 2/21 by Suhani Sharma
With my Bestie, all set to attend the wedding
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 3/21 by Suhani Sharma
It's a sight to behold during christmas
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 4/21 by Suhani Sharma
Reminiscing tennis days
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 5/21 by Suhani Sharma
Saadat Ali Khan Mausoleum
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 6/21 by Suhani Sharma
A different kind of movie experience in the heart of the city, Hazratganj.
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 7/21 by Suhani Sharma
The delicious basket chaat is enough, no need to order more for lunch :)
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 8/21 by Suhani Sharma
Bestie sharing anecdotes with Mr. Ram Advani, the man taught Ruskin Bond, people
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 9/21 by Suhani Sharma
Shaam-e-Awadh
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 10/21 by Suhani Sharma
Bada Imambara, Lucknow's symbol
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 11/21 by Suhani Sharma
Fine architecture
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 12/21 by Suhani Sharma
The mosque at Bada Imambara, a grand affair on Fridays
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 13/21 by Suhani Sharma
It's not Pan's labyrinth, but prepare to be blown away with it's mystery and int
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 14/21 by Suhani Sharma
A door within a door within a door, the origin of Nolan's idea for Inception???
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 15/21 by Suhani Sharma
Awesome view of the city
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 16/21 by Suhani Sharma
The Belgian glass and mirror work from 17th century
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 17/21 by Suhani Sharma
Exquisite ceilings take you back in time
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 18/21 by Suhani Sharma
Bowli - Passage to the Hamam
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 19/21 by Suhani Sharma
Gateway of Lucknow
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 20/21 by Suhani Sharma
Hand embroidery done by local Chikan worker
Photo of Awadhi delights in the city of the Nawabs 21/21 by Suhani Sharma
The Flavour of Lucknow - your visit is incomplete without Tunday Kebabs

There are very few things more peculiar than experiencing your own hometown as a tourist. So when after spending almost a decade in New Delhi region as its resident-immigrant (I still am a Lucknow-ite at heart), I got a chance to visit Lucknow for a friend's wedding, I was more than excited to show my BFF around who I tagged along as my +1.

After a 6-hour comfortable train ride via Swarn Shatabdi, we arrived in Lucknow and were picked by the brother of the bride. Once we checked in to the lodge, all we had on our minds was hair, make-up, matching jewellery and ill-fitting ethnic wear (thanks to those extra pounds from Christmas holidays). Thankfully, the appearance at the wedding was well received and so was the delectable food. Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot pudding) was my personal favourite and I think I remember carrying it as a dinner roll in my purse for later.

For the next 40 hours, we had planned nothing but sightseeing. After breakfast, we hopped on a local cycle rickshaw for a reasonable 50 bucks and visited my childhood home after which we set course for Lucknow's most happening area, Hazratganj. After a quick visit to my school, St. Cathedral, we went to the nearby International Stadium - K.D. Singh Babu Stadium, named after the pioneer Hockey star from India. A few moments of pure reminiscence on the tennis court and I was left gasping for more down the memory lane. The best part about visiting Lucknow in winters is the convenience of exploring it on foot. We looked around the entire Hazratganj area easily and without breaking a sweat (since Lucknow has high humidity all year round.)

On our way to enjoy the famous Basket chaat near Royal Cafe, we chanced upon the beautiful Saadat Ali Khan Maqbara (Mausoleum) which depicts fine architecture of Oudh dynasty. Right in front of the mausoleum is the famous Oudh Gymkhana Club, popular for hosting several ATP and WTA tennis tournaments and Davis Cup ties and has been a witness to some of the finest stars in the sport.

Next stop was of course the culinary delights of Royal Cafe, post which we visited the famous Advani Book Store. Mr. Ram Advani, the shop owner played host to some inspiring books and interesting stories, particularly about famed writer Ruskin Bond, who was taught by Mr Advani in his school days.

As the evening came to a close, we understood the real meaning of Sham-e-Awadh, an expression synonymous with almost every Lucknowite's sense of pride in this beautiful city.

The next day was more action packed than we had imagined. After a delectable breakfast, we headed to the Old Lucknow to witness the architectural wonders up close and personal. First up was the exquisite Rumi Darwaza. Built under the patronage of Nawab Asaf-ud-Dowlah in the 17th century, it is a gateway to Lucknow's most prominent attraction – Bada Imambara. This shrine comprises a mosque, the Bhoolbhulaiya (Labyrinth) and the traditional Bowli. The Labyrinth experience is an intriguing walk through the chambers, staircases and open terraces, all a part of the complex and the most interesting part is that none of it can be done without the help of an experienced tour guide since, as the name suggests- labyrinth, it will literally blow your mind. Also, people who are claustrophobic, need to prepare themselves mentally before going through this experience. A few steps away is the Chhota Imambara the houses some of the finest antiquities from the 17th and 17th centuries.

By midday, we decided to visit the delicacy almost synonymous with the city, the mouthwatering Tunde ke Kebabs. One of the first restaurants from the now nationwide chain, is Tunday Kebabi in Aminabad region of Lucknow. I must mention something here though, I noticed I was the only woman around without a Neqaab or Burkha, which was an alien feeling, despite being a resident of the city since birth as I never got to live in the old, rather conservative part of the city.

People who are fans of artifacts, metalware and souvenirs can pick from a myriad of offerings here. After the penultimate kebab experience, we visited a local Chikan kari factory, the traditional embroidery style famous the world over. Both me and my bestie picked several pieces of clothing and drew curtains to the trip with the famous kebab rolls on our way to the meticulously architectured Charbagh railway station.

Lucknow is a place for those who seek culture, history and traditional cuisines. The ‘neither-too-fast-nor-too-slow’ city will leave an impression on those who seek a wholesome long weekend trip.

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Bada Imambara, Lucknow's symbol

Photo of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma

Fine architecture

Photo of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma

The mosque at Bada Imambara, a grand affair on Fridays

Photo of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma

It's not Pan's labyrinth, but prepare to be blown away with it's mystery and int

Photo of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma

A door within a door within a door, the origin of Nolan's idea for Inception???

Photo of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma

The Belgian glass and mirror work from 17th century

Photo of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma

Exquisite ceilings take you back in time

Photo of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma

Bowli - Passage to the Hamam

Photo of Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma

It's a sight to behold during christmas

Photo of Cathedral Sr. Secondary School, Shahnajaf Rd, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India by Suhani Sharma

The beautiful Charbagh Railway Station, a symbol of arrical in Lucknow

Photo of Charbagh Railway Station, Charbagh, Railway Colony, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226004, India by Suhani Sharma

Hand embroidery done by local Chikan worker

Photo of Chikan Kari, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India by Suhani Sharma

Shaam-e-Awadh

Photo of Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India by Suhani Sharma

Reminiscing tennis days

Photo of KD Singh Babu Stadium, Qaiserbagh, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India by Suhani Sharma

Bestie sharing anecdotes with Mr. Ram Advani, the man taught Ruskin Bond, people

Photo of Ram Advani BookSellers, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India by Suhani Sharma

the delicious basket chat is enough, no need to order more for lunch :)

Photo of Royal Cafe Lucknow, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India by Suhani Sharma

Gateway of Lucknow

Photo of Rumi Darwaza, Machchhi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India by Suhani Sharma

Saadat Ali Khan Mausoleum

Photo of Saadatganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India by Suhani Sharma

A different kind of movie experience in the heart of the city, Hazratganj.

Photo of Sahu Cinema, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India by Suhani Sharma

The Flavour of Lucknow - your visit is incomplete without Tunday Kebabs

Photo of Tunday Kababi, 151, Phool Wali Gali, Chowk, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003, India by Suhani Sharma