Bada Imambara – The sprawling historical monument of Lucknow

Bada Imambara, one of the main attractions and a sprawling historical monument of Lucknow, India and the first tourist destination point and also named as Asafi Imambara, which is named after the Nawab of Lucknow who got it constructed.

As the history tells us, the construction of Bada Imambara started in the year 1784 by the 4th Nawab of Awadh, Asaf-ud-Daula and was completed in fourteen years. It was designed by Hafiz Kifayat ullah, who was a prominent architect during that period.

A noble cause behind its construction was a famine in Awadh in 1784. The people are starved for food. This construction provided them food and employment by working in day hours and some in night.

The construction style of the Bada Imambara is unique as wood or metal is not used. One will be amazed and surprised to see the central hall of Bada Imambara as there is no single beam and girder laid and is built with no pillar support. It is the largest arched hall in the world as its length is about 50 meters long and 15 meters height. The roof of Imambara is made out of rice husk and hence the roof stands steady to till date without any pillars support to it.

You can see the tomb of Asaf-Ud-Daula and the other part known as Bhulbhulaiya. The only maze in India located in the upper floor of the monument. From the top of this monument, one can view a scenic panorama of the city, which is really breath-taking.

It is an important place of worship for the Muslims who come here every year to celebrate the religious festival of Muharram. The monument remains open from morning 6am to evening 5pm on all days, except Monday.

How to reach

The Lucknow airport is at a distance of 14 kms from the city at Amausi. The two main railway junctions that are connected from all the major places are Lucknow city center and the Charbagh, at a distance of 3 kms from the city center. Highways from all the places are connect to Lucknow for a journey through bus.