About Lucknow

Lucknow  (Hindi: लखनऊ, Urdu: لکھنؤ‎, Lakhna'ū) is the capital city of the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. Lucknow is one of the major metropolitan cities of India and is the administrative headquarters of Lucknow District and Lucknow Division.

“Aaj Bhi Kehta Hai Har Sahib-e Nazar Roshan Khayaal,
Lucknow Ilm-o Adab Mein Aap Hi Apni Misaal”

Courtly manners, beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine patronized by the Persian-loving Shia Nawabs of the city are well known amongst Indians and students of South Asian culture and history. Lucknow is popularly known as the The City of Nawabs.It is also known as the Golden City of the East, Shiraz-i-Hind and The Constantinople of India.


As the 18th century seat of the Nawabs of Avadh, Lucknow flourished becoming an important political and cultural centre, rivalling Delhi in its patronage to art and literature. It was during this time that culture and architecture synthesized emerging in a distinct form now so typical to the Lucknow culture. The peace and prosperity under the governance of the nawabs brought about a cultural renaissance in Avadh. Musicians and dancers flocked to Lucknow giving birth to new musical forms and instruments under the patronage of the royalty. Art forms like Kathak, Thumri, Khayal, Dadra, Qawalis, Ghazals and Shero Shairisaw their finest hour. In this era major stress was laid on even minor details like the art of dressing, apparels (libaas) and jewellery all symbolic of a genteel lifestyle. The legacy of the exquisite embroidery still lives on with equal zest in today's modern era. Culinary skills, too, reached heights of excellence as the nawabs were not only gracious hosts but also extremely fond of good nutritious food. Thus emerged the skillful art of slow cooking. The royalty of Avadh was also famous for indulging in extravagant pastimes like elephant and rooster fights and kite flying, a game that still evokes passionate involvement among the flyers and the bystander alike. The field of architecture saw re-interpretation of the existing styles and experimentation in the fusion of the occidental and the oriental style of architecture. The magnificent edifices standing proudly among the architectural skyline of the city are living examples of the nawab's architectural ingenuity.

“Ek Lutf-e Khaas Dil Ko Teri Aarzoo Me Hai,
Allah Jaane Kitni Kashish Lucknow Me Hai”

Modern Lucknow, spread evenly on both sides of river Gomti, is a perfect blend of the ancient with the modern, as many glitzy shopping arcades coexist with the old monuments. The greatest attraction of Lucknow, where the past jostles with the present its unique ability to achieve harmony amidst disorder and to assimilate the new into the old.


Travel/Tourist Information

  • UP Tours (U.P.S.T.D.C.) Hotel Gomti, 6 Sapru Marg, Ph : 0522 - 0522-2612659, 2615005
  • Directorate of Tourism, U.P.C-13, Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar Ph : 0522 -0522-2307028, 2308916 (PBX) Fax : 2308937
  • Regional Tourist Office C-13, Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar Ph : 0522 - 2304870
  • Thomas Cook 68, Hazratganj (First Floor) Ph : 0522 - 4002182, 4002185-86
  • Civika Travels Pvt. Ltd. Aakriti Tower, V.S. Marg Ph : 0522 - 2237438-40-79, 2239305, 2235860
  • Mayfair Air Travel Services (Pvt.) Ltd. Hazratganj Ph : 0522 - 3018600-05

Shopping

The main shopping areas in the city are as follows:

  • Hazratganj closed on (Sunday)
  • Aminabad closed on (Thursday)
  • Chowk closed on (Thursday)
  • Nakkhas closed on (Thursday)
  • Sadar closed on (Thursday)
  • Narhi closed on (Monday)
  • Kaiserbagh closed on (Thursday)
  • Alambagh closed on (Thursday)
  • Aliganj closed on (Wednesday)
  • Indira Nagar closed on (Wednesday)
  • Gomti Nagar closed on (Wednesday).

Important Contact No.

  • Commissioner : Ph. (0522) 2613510 (O), 2308277 (R)
  • Police : 100, 2229999.
  • Fire : 101 • Ambulance : 102
  • D.M. : Ph. (0522) 2625663, 2623024 (O), 2623912, 2614700 (R)
  • S.S.P. : Ph. (0522) 2628965 (O), 2625983 (R)
  • C.D.O. (Chief Development Officer) : Ph. 2348822