Bada Imambara | Rumi Darwaza | Lucknow Pravasi | Husainabad | Historical Places | Lucknow | Uttarpradesh | Pious Pravasi

Lucknow Pravasi - Part 2

Bada Imambara and Rumi Darwaza

The "City of Nawabs" Lucknow. After coming to Lucknow from Mumbai, I was eager to visit the tourist places here. Historical tourist places have always been my favorite, so I first visited the Imambara of Lucknow and the nearby tourist places in Husainabad. This blog is of that Pravas.

How to reach Bada Imambara!

We proceeded towards Imambara from my residence at Tedhipulia. The distance was about 10 km. My senior colleagues from work accompanied me to drop me off at Imambara. Lucknow is the nearest railway station to reach Imambada. This place is only 7 km away from the station and public transport facility is also available from there. We crossed the bridge over the Gomti River and took the right path toward Imambara.

Places to visit in Bada Imambara

As soon as we came to the Imambara complex, we saw some magnificent buildings of excellent architecture. I started my Pravas from the Bada Imambada.

Imambara complex

Bada means big and Imambara means a place built for the purpose of Azadari for Muslims. Just near the road is the grand entrance of the Bada Imambara and on the opposite side is the Naubatkhana or Nakkarkhana.

Naubatkhana or Nakkarkhana

Bada Imambara has two entrances. Both are very grand and architectural marvels.

Bada Imambara's two entrances (Inside and outside view)

The entire premises are decorated with flowering plants and the utmost care is taken in cleanliness. Entering through the second entrance, there is a huge mosque on one side, the main building of the Bada Imambada in the middle, and the Shahi Bauli on the other side. The mosque here is called Asafi Masjid, while the Imambara is called Asafi Imambara. It is named after Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula, who built this grand structure and it was designed by Architect Kifayatullah.

Asafi Imambara and Masjid

This 18th-century architecture took more than a decade to complete. This structure was built by then the Nawab of Awadh, Asaf-Ud-Daula, and its purpose was to fulfill the religious needs of the Muslim community and to help the people during the devastating drought of that time. It is said that some people had to work during the day to build this structure, while others had to work at night to demolish anything that had been built that day. This effort is to create employment for people affected by drought. The structure is built of lime, along with some other materials and Lakhori bricks.

 

Bada Imambara - Main Building

There are three halls in the main building. These halls are named after their roof designs. China Hall from the design of Chinese pots, Irani or Persian Hall from the design of Iranian trays, which is more than 160 feet long and still in good condition without any support, and Indian or Kharbuja Hall from the design of melons.

Halls of the Bada Imambara

The main building also houses the throne, expensive chandeliers, Taziya, the tomb of Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula and his wife, as well as candle stands and mirrors used for lighting at that time.

Throne and Taziya of Bada Imambara

Labyrinth of Bada Imambara

The main attraction is the Labyrinth or Bhulbhulaiyya of Bada Imambara in the upper part of the main building. Many paths and doors look alike here. In each place, you will get four ways, out of which only one is right and the other three ways are wrong. So if you want to visit Bhulbhulaiyya of Bada Imambara, you need a guide.

Labyrinth or Bhulbhulaiyya of Bada Imambara

The labyrinth also had secret escape routes during times of crisis, which are currently closed. The construction of this building is such that one can communicate even with a low voice.

Roof of the Bada Imambara

After wandering around the maze, I came to the roof of the Imambara. The view of Lucknow city can be seen from here.

Shahi Bauli of Bada Imambara

Now I came to see Shahi Bauli or Bawadi (well). Built with several floors, this Shahi Bauli was very remarkable and perfect in terms of security at that time. Shahi Bauli was built earlier during the construction of the Imambara complex and was directly connected to the Gomti River. 

Shahi Bauli of Bada Imambara

It is said that other buildings in the Bada Imambara were built using the water from the Shahi Bauli. It is also said that the water level of the river decreased over time and Shahi Bauli dried up.

Shahi Bauli of Bada Imambara

Rumi Darwaza - A Gateway to Old Lucknow

At the same time when a grand structure like the Bada Imambara was standing, Nawab Asaf-Ud-daula built another structure adjacent to the Imambara. An about 60 feet high, Rumi Darwaza.

Rumi Darwaza

The giant structure, great design, and a fantastic name. Every day thousands of people come and go through this door. How proud they are! A great symbol of Awadh or Lucknow architecture.

Rumi Darwaza

That's it for today's Pravas. But I have explored many more historical landmarks in Husainabad and to read other blogs in this series, click here at Lucknow Pravasi.

Click here at Bada Imambara to watch the YouTube video of this Pravas of Imambada.

Jai Shivray

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