Bara Imambara - lucknow , U.P

Lucknow's Bara Imambara has since a long time been the face of the city. It is a representation of the rich legacy of the Nawabs that the city has witnessed.

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Imambara is a place for mourning, unlike a mosque which is a place of worship. On our recent visit to the Bara Imambara, we came to know that it is a place where Imam Hussain and martyrs of Karbala are mourned.

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This Imambara , constructed under the supervision of Nawab Asif ud Daula has been constructed without the use of cement; made just from soil, limestone, pulses, lentils etc. The “tajiyas", which are basically wax replicas of tomb of Hussain in Iraq are kept on display. The central hall is the longest known hall in India to exist without any pillar. And therefore, to support the building, an architectural style of labyrinths was developed, which today not just attracts visitors from all over the country but also becomes the city's third most popular word along with its kebabs and chikankari and that is, Bhool Bhulaiya!

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It is said that the construction of the Imambada went on for almost a decade as Lucknow (or the reign of Awadh as it was known then) was suffering from a massive famine and therefore, the generous Nawab took it upon himself to provide employment to all his subjects. Therefore, a part of the construction that was done in the morning, was destroyed in the night. This went on till the conditions of the people improved. Thus, in Lucknow, it was once said, “Jisko na de maula, Usko de Asif ud Daula", meaning those who cannot be provided by the Lord, will be provided by Nawab Asif ud Daula.

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