I gotta shove through the main city of Lucknow to give a break to my busy schedule... It was like ' let's see where we get into' kinda lingering in the lucknow.... Left my niche by morning around 11Am, usually i roam around alone thts much trivial for me... I heard much more about the imam bada, but never been there, so i just planned a visit to the palace...this is a palace of must visit by the traveler in the city, the localities have a saying ' if u have not seen this, then u didn't see lucknow'
Bara Imambara, also known as Asfi Mosque is an imambara complex in Lucknow built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh in 1784. Bara means big. The building also includes the large Asfi mosque, the Bhul-bhulaiya (the labyrinth), and Bowli, a step well with running water. Two imposing gateways lead to the main hall. It is said that there are 1024 ways to reach the terrace but only two to come back first gate or the last gate. It is an accidental architecture.The main imambara consists of a large vaulted central chamber containing the tomb of Asaf-ud-Daula. At 50 by 16 meters and over 15 meters tall, it has no beams supporting the ceiling and is one of the largest such arched constructions in the world. There are eight surrounding chambers built to different roof heights, permitting the space above these to be reconstructed as a three-dimensional labyrinth with passages interconnecting with each other through 489 identical doorways. This part of the building, and often the whole complex, may be referred to as the Bhulbhulaiya. Known as a popular attraction, it is possibly the only existing maze in India and came about unintentionally to support the weight of the building which is constructed on marshy land. Asaf-ud-Daula also erected the 18 meter (59 foot) high Roomi Darwaza, just outside. This portal, embellished with lavish decorations, was the Imambara's west-facing entrance.
Designer- architect kifayatullah, who is also said to be burried in the main hall of Imam bara.
What i got to know???
1)The roof of Imambara is made up from the rice husk which makes this Imambara a unique building. If u take guide along with u they will tend to show you some tricks like, liting a match stick and make you listen the strike of the match stick to the box from a bit far away.. quiet funny, but they will some how grab your attention because no doubt there trick works though.
2) next trick that they tend to show you is they will whisper into the wall and insist you to keep your ear against the wall and listen to that... This also works some how, and it's just nothing but science because of the construction and materials used in the construction of this palace.....that is rice husk.
3)I think this is the best spot to capture the beautiful veiw of Awadh... U can get the beautiful sight of both old and new lucknow...
4) shoes are not allowed, as it's one of the sacred palace for the muslim people, u need not to worry, they have separate arrangement for this, they will cost you 2 rs and your shoes will be looked after, btw i tried to use my brain, i closed my shoes in my bagpack and went off😊
When you enter the bulbulaiya, while going upstairs u will confront 3 doors after every 5/8 stair, the irony is only one is correct and it's quiet perplexing 😂
5) there are many small strolls of decorative items depicting the culture of Awadh, like i got one small glass globe and 2-3 incense candle 🕯️...
6) don't be anxious if u are hungry, they also have small strolls for some junk packets and cold drinks etc.
7) Never go during the mid day, that's around 12:30 to 2pm, because that's the time for salah for the muslimah (Nimaz).
Somehow it was worthy of visiting and quiet informative.... Liked it.
Landed up their in the evening time, to get the glimpse of one the busiest market of Lucknow.
Hazratganj, is the Downtown area situated in the heart of Lucknow in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. In addition to bazaars, it also contains shopping complexes, restaurants, hotels, theaters and offices. In 1827, the then Nawab Nasir-ud-Din Haidar Shah laid the foundation of the Ganj market by introducing the China Bazaar and Kaptaan Bazaar which sold goods stuff from China, Japan and Belgium.
Hazratganj is a major Victorian style shopping area. It houses showrooms, shopping complexes, restaurants, hotels, theatres, offices and businesses. Hazratganj shops sell the famous Lucknow Chikan material. Gurjari, Handloom Emporium and Gandhi Ashrams are also located in the market.
What did i learn??
1) Fair market to grab almost whatever you want, showrooms, restraunts, hotels, window marketing all are available.
2) what i love the most, was there are many books stall, from where u can drag your fav. Author at very cheap price, like i got 5 novels for Rs 400.. and it's not 2nd hand also, if you want 2 nd hand that's also available... But quality difference u can see👍.
If you are a binge reader must give a look here, and seasonal book Mela is also organised in Hazrat ganj market.
It was somewhere around republic day, so the market was decorated with tricolours....
finally i rushed to a nearby restaurant in Hazrat ganj market with my downpool leg...
