INDIRA GANDHI PRATISHTHAN, LUCKNOW

Imambara Lucknow

Bara Imambara, also known as Asfi Imambara is an imambara complex in Lucknow, India.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.Construction of Bara Imambara was started in 1780, a year of a devastating famine, and one of Asaf-ud-Daula's objectives in embarking on this grandiose project was to provide employment for people in the region for almost a decade while the famine lasted. It is said that ordinary people used to work in the day building up the edifice, while noblemen and other elite worked at night to break down anything that was raised that day. It was a project that preceded a Keynesian-like intervention for employment generation. Construction of the Imambara was completed in 1794. The estimated cost of building the Imambara ranges between half a million rupees to a million rupees. Even after completion, the Nawab used to spend between four and five hundred thousand rupees on its decoration annually.

The Residency Lucknow

The Residency, also called as the British Residency and Residency Complex, is a group of several buildings in a common precinct in the city of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. It served as the residence for the British Resident General who was a representative in the court of the Nawab. The Residency is located in the heart of the city, in the vicinity of other monuments like Shaheed Smarak, Tehri Kothi and High Court Building.Construction started during the rule of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daulah and ended during the rule of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan II,[1] who was the fifth Nawab of the province of Awadh (British spelling Oudh). Construction took place between 1780 and 1800 AD. Between 1 July 1857 and 17 November 1857 the Residency was subject to the Siege of Lucknow, part of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The Residency now exists as ruins.

The Hazaratganj Market

Hazratganj is the downtown and the main shopping centre of Lucknow, the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. In addition to bazaars, it also contains shopping complexes, restaurants, hotels, theaters, cafés and many 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 from China, Japan and Belgium. The famous Taar Wali Kothi, the Dargah of 12 Imams at Khas Mukaam, the Choti Chattar Manzil, the Saawan-Bhadoh Mahal (the present location of zoo), the stunning Baradari, which was earlier situated between Kaiserbagh, Darulshafa, and Lalbagh also emerged during his regime.In 1842, the name of the area was changed to Hazratganj after Nawab Amjad Ali Shah, who was popularly known by his alias 'Hazrat'. After the First War of Independence in 1857, Britishers took over the city and Hazratganj was modelled after London's Queen Street. Many old Mughal style buildings were demolished and new European structures came up.

Gomti Riverfront Lucknow

Gomti Riverfront is a newly constructed park with some great asthetic appeal located in Jimau, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It was inaugrated by the honourable CM of Uttar Pradesh on 16th october, 2016. The park is open for public and is located around 3kms near the city centre. Gomti Riverfront Park was constructed with the concern of preservation and develpoment of river Gomti, which is considered as the lifeline of Uttar Pradesh. The lush Green environment around the banks of Gomti river which is around 15kms long has been created as per International Standards. the park stretches over 2kms in area. Its major attraction is the musical fountain, which is very huge and can be seen from both sides of the river. The musical fountainattracts around 200-300 people on a regular basis. Other facilities includes a huge capacity (around 20,000 seats) Amphitheater, cycling and jogging tracks,boating, play area for children etc. It allows the visitors to experience the beauty of river Gomti, its a peaceful and a great hangout place for individuals, friends and family.

Visitors usually spend an hour or more. The best time to visit here is evening and morning. It allows dogs and has specalised area bulit for the wheelchair entrance. It has a huge parking capacity ( around 300 car parkings) as well. It is advised to visit the park in the evening as the musical fountain show starts around 7 PM. The park remains open throughout the year during timings 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM.