Holiday in Lucknow

About Lucknow

Lucknow is the capital of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and one of the culturally richest cities in South Asia. The city on the Gomti River was once the center of the Mughal Empire and the Awadh dynasty, whose legacy lives on today in magnificent architecture, refined cuisine, and legendary hospitality (Tehzeeb). Lucknow is often referred to as the city of Nawabs and Kebabs. The Bara Imambara, built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, is one of the grandest structures in North India: The central hall measures 50 meters in length and is constructed without a single column or iron beam — an architectural masterpiece. On the upper floor is the famous Bhool Bhulaiya, a confusing labyrinth of over 1,000 identical corridors. The Rumi Darwaza, an imposing gate from the 18th century, is modeled after the Sublime Porte in Istanbul and is considered a landmark of the city. The British Residency, the site of the siege of 1857 during the Indian Rebellion, stands as a ruin amidst well-kept gardens. Lucknow's cuisine is legendary: The city is considered the birthplace of Dum Pukht (slow cooking in sealed pots) and the finest kebab art in India. The Galawati Kebabs, so tender that they melt in the mouth, were once invented for a toothless Nawab. The Chowk area and Aminabad are culinary pilgrimage sites where street food has been perfected for generations.