While it may not have the glitz of other major Indian cities, such as Mumbai or Delhi, there’s one thing that makes Lucknow famous all over India- its food!
Whether you are looking to try Awadhi cuisine for the first time or want to find the best dishes from the region, having a list of top foods is helpful.
In this article we will go through some of the most popular snacks and meals in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
India’s most iconic monument, the red sandstone structure was commissioned in 1648 by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb to celebrate his 25th birthday. It is also referred to as Diwan-i-Aam or ‘Hall of Audience’ due to its resemblance with Persian architectural styles at that time.
The interior features beautiful patterns made from marble and semi-precious stones such as turquoise and ruby. There are elaborate carvings depicting stories from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
In addition to this, there is an impressive throne designed like the one used by Akbar the Great (the second Mughl Emperor). This is situated just inside the entrance which is lined with beautifully worked gold.
Outside you will find the famous elephant gate flanked by two more gates. These have been described as the Gates of Paradise because they feature golden peacocks reaching out their tails towards heaven.
There is so much history packed into these walls it can feel overwhelming! But don’t worry, we have done some research for you. We have gathered all the information about the different parts of the monument here.
Located in India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh, the city of Agra is best known for its rich history that includes being the home to one of the largest religious monuments ever built — the Taj Mahal.
Agra was also once the capital of the great Mughal Empire, so it’s no wonder that people visit here to see this monument and explore other sites associated with that era.
The most famous site in Agra is undoubtedly the incredible red-colored minaret called the Qutab Minar. This structure looks like an enormous stick figure made of white marble.
While there are many theories about why it was constructed, what few realize is that this impressive landmark wasn’t always quite as striking as it is today.
Located in Delhi, the Humayun's tomb is one of the most visited monuments in India. It was built by Sultan Hamad-ud-Din Ghazi (also known as Akbar) to honor his wife Haji Begum Hazrat Maham Angi, who died giving birth to their son.
Hamad-ud-Din had such strong feelings for her that he ordered construction be done using only white marble and no gold or silver decorations. He also didn't allow anyone but members of his family to enter the monument.
Sadly, just two years after it was completed, Haji Begum passed away herself leaving behind a young son. She was buried next to her husband under the same roof so to speak.
Akbar then ruled alone for several more years until he too passed away at age 42. His son took over the throne while still very young and left Hamad-ud-Din's will aside untouched. Almost 100 years later, when the boy grew up and wanted to visit his mother, he found out she was gone!
He petitioned the king to build another mausolem for himself outside the palace walls, which is what we have today.
Despite being written over 250 years ago, in Persian and not translated into English until 1929, this masterpiece still holds up today as an example of incredible storytelling through poetry. Many consider it to be one of the greatest works ever penned down on paper!
The shahnamā is a poem that tells the story of King Zahir Shah’s (the protagonist) quest for immortality after his death. It follows him from the afterlife to his next life where he meets his wife, who gives birth to their son.
In order to ensure a good future for his family, Zahir raises his child prodigiously and teaches him everything he knows. When the boy becomes an adult, he sets off on a journey to find the source of eternal youth so that he can pass along his knowledge to his offspring.
This narrative is organized into eight sections or ayas, each corresponding with a different part of the body. Each section contains verses that describe a theme and are illustrated with vivid metaphors and allegories.
There are three main characters in the poem: Zahir himself; his teacher, Who am I?; and his student, What shall I do?, all of whom embody certain qualities that help them achieve their goal. By learning about these individuals and how they influenced him, you will learn some important lessons about yourself and your own personal mission in life.
You will also see how the people around you have a lasting impact on your success.
Located in Old Delhi, just west of Chandni Chowk, the Jama Mosque is one of India’s most recognizable landmarks.
The beautifully decorated mosque was built around 1656 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. At that time it was known as “Daulat-E-Qadam” or “Fortune’s Tomb.” It took its current name from his son, Aurangzeb.
At first only Muslims were allowed to enter, but later people of all faiths could come and visit. It has played host to everything from royal weddings to state funerals for Indian rulers.
In 1759, British soldiers used the mosque as their headquarters during the Battle of Chawhar Singh (also called the First Battle of Fallujah). They made it their meeting place and bar where they drank heavily before marching off to fight.
After the battle, many of them stayed behind in the city and refused to leave until they heard the sound of cannon fire coming from the mosque. They assumed it must be an attack so they left town!
Since then, there have been several reports of paranormal activity taking place at the mosque including mysterious footsteps, cold spots, and strange sounds. Some even claim to have seen ghosts floating through the building.
One account goes as follows: A woman walking past the entrance noticed a beautiful young girl sitting alone outside.
In 1785, Mirza Jai Singh II became the ruler of Awadh (present-day Uttar Pradesh) at the age of eight. He would spend his early years in Bengal before returning to rule over his ancestral lands in India.
Singh was known for being very religious and he built many temples across Awadh. One such temple is located just outside of Delhi, where there’s an area that people refer to as the “Lucknow style.”
The Khajuar Bagh is a large park with beautiful gardens and water features. It was designed by Raja Ram Das who helped make this part of Lucknow famous.
There are several stories about how the bighawallah — or gardeners — came up with some of these design concepts. For example, one story says that they were asked to create something new and lush and so they decided to combine all their resources together.
But what makes the bighaws truly special is not only their creativity, it’s also their use of nature. Many plants and trees you won’t find anywhere else and none of them are ever really fully dry.
Earlier this year, while traveling in India, many people may have heard of the famous “buland darwaza” (gate with devil head) in Uttar Pradesh. Some even asked if you could do it as an easy challenge or prize to see this wonder!
Well, I will let someone else tell you about that but my friends – the winner of our contest is … drum roll please…
The author of this article is from Switzerland and she won by writing under her username here on BestofUltimateFacts.com!
Her name is Sonja Breitenbach and she says that Buland Darwaza was built around 1760-1770 for the Nizamuddin Auliya, who later became the first Shia Imam of Delhi. He passed away before he could be officially crowned so his descendants continued building the structure as an extension of his legacy.
Sonja also notes that some sources claim the devil figure symbolizes Asura, which are a lower caste than Devata in Hinduism. This would make sense since the gate was meant to protect against evil spirits entering into the sacred space of the mosque.
However, other theories suggest that the devil represents Shiva, another important deity in Hinduism. People say that because the gate resembles one called Viharjiwan, which has the same two hands holding different weapons. One hand holds a trident and the other a bow and arrow.
Located in Uttar Pradesh’s state capital of Lucknow, the Dilli Haat is an open-air shopping center that features more than 300 stalls selling products ranging from kurtas to jewelry, bags to footwear. There are also many food vendors here!
The Dilli Haat was first opened as a winter festival in December 2013 by entrepreneur Vinay Kumar Singh. Since then it has become an integral part of the city’s culture and economy. It attracts people not only because of its vast selection but also due to its low price tags and unique merchandise.
Many believe that the success of the event lies in its ability to bring together different cultures. Many visitors come both from outside of India as well as within the country to experience this. People of all backgrounds attend the festival to socialize and shop.
Another reason why the festival is so popular is because it gives local business owners a way to promote their companies. By having lots of attendees, the attention for each individual stall increases which helps them sell more goods.
