What can you expect when you combine beautiful architecture with spiritual beauty and a fascinating history? A thing similar to Bara Imambara. Built-in the 18th century, Bara Imambara is a majestic religious site located in the City of Nawabs-Lucknow. It was constructed through Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula from Awadh and is also known by the name of AsafiImambara. It is a stunning monument with Mughal-style architecture and is among the most impressive historical spots worth visiting in Lucknow.
Bara Imambara is a significant place of celebrations of worship and religious gatherings, particularly during the month of Muharram, during which Shia Muslims gather here in large numbers to mourn the passing of Husayn al-Ali, who was the great-grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. The stunning architecture and the many fascinating stories that surround the site are what make it a popular tourist attraction, too.
Bara Imambara: History
In 1784, the Awadh province of Awadh was struck with a massive famine, which plunged common people and nobles into hunger and poverty. It was during this period that Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula decided to construct Bara Imambara as a part of the relief effort for famine .
The theory is that more than 22,000 men were employed to build the monument. While the average men worked throughout the day to construct the structure, nobles, and the elite would visit the site in the evening and remove the constructions that had been constructed during the daytime. This was done to prolong the time of construction and to keep ordinary people and nobles working amid the hunger. The famine lasted a total of 11 years, and that was the same time as the building of the magnificent statue, Bara Imambara.
Bara Imambara: Today
The monument is situated on a busy street in the heart of Lucknow City; Bara Imambara is an important spot to worship Shia Muslims. Both tourists and Muslim devotees visit the shrine throughout the year. The huge hall of the Imambara contains memorials to the tombs of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula as well as the late Begum Shamsunnisa. A lot of Shia Muslim devotees visit the shrine to perform holy rituals this month, which are called Muharram. The Imambara is home to three well-maintained gardens.
Bara Imambara: Architecture
The design was created by a well-known architect of the time, Hafiz Kifayatullah; Bara Imambara is not just an architectural marvel. It is a perfect blend of Mughal and Rajput styles of construction with Gothic influences. It is also an extremely stunning landmark in Lucknow. One of the most intriguing aspects of this monument is the fact that no wood or metal was used for its construction.
The Imambara is home to two huge gates. On one side of the gate, one is able to see the Asafi Mosque, while the other side is home to the huge baoli. The main entrance of the monument features three arches and a two-sided fish design, which is the emblem of Nawabs. There are nine halls in total, of which the central chamber is the biggest.
The chamber measures 164 feet long and 52 feet wide. The central chamber houses an ancient tombstone of Nawab Asaf-udDaula. The entire chamber is awe-inspiring. The stunning architecture, the vaulted ceiling, and the ceiling of the chamber are worth mentioning. The 50-foot-high arched ceiling does not have columns, iron rods, or beams, as the hall was designed to be used for prayer and religious services. The roof’s blocks were crafted with an interlocking system made of bricks, which has made the structure last for a long time without the need for support beams or columns.
The eight chambers around the main hall feature ceilings that vary in height. The space above the chambers was cleverly used to create a 3-D maze of interconnected passageways and balconies, which could be accessed via 489 doors. This section of the Imambara is referred to in the form of BhulBhulaiya. The passageway network starts from the central area and ends on the roof. The majestic Asafi Mosque and Shahi Baoli are other major attractions in Bara Imambara.
Things to see at Bara Imambara
Central Hall
The enormous hall, with its impressive architecture, is among the major attractions of Bara Imambara. As we have mentioned, the ceiling of this hall has been designed distinctively, without pillars or beams to support it.
BhulBhulaiya
True to the description, BhulBhulaiya is a labyrinthine system of more than 1000 passages with 489 doors in the same pattern. While it’s one of the most fascinating areas of the Imambara, it is not recommended that you explore it without an expert guide. The intricate maze of interwoven pathways can be difficult to explore on your own.
Asafi Mosque
The mosque is situated on the western side of the Imambara and is a marvel of Mughal architecture.
Shahi Baoli
Shahi Baoli isfive-story stepwell, located on the eastern edge of the monument, has marvelous architecture. It was reportedly the place where officials from the Nawab were able to keep an eye on the people visiting. The well was designed to be constructed in a manner that would reflect the people who were in front of the entrance onto the water.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Lucknow is Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (Amausi Airport), located approximately 14 kilometers away from the city center. Both domestic and international flights operate out of this airport, which is the 12th busiest airport in India. There are two terminals: Terminal 1 for international arrivals and departures, and Terminal 2 for domestic flights.
Upon arrival at the airport, you can take a taxi or rickshaw to reach Bara Imambara. Pre-paid taxis are readily available at the airport and offer a hassle-free way to get to your destination. Alternatively, you can use apps like Uber or Ola to book a cab.
By Train:
Lucknow is well-connected to most parts of India by rail. The main railway station, Lucknow Charbagh Railway Station, is well-equipped and sees a constant flow of trains including Shatabdi, Rajdhani, Double Decker, Gharib Rath, superfast and fast passenger trains. Once you arrive at the station, you can hire a taxi, rickshaw, or hop on an auto-rickshaw to reach Bara Imambara.
By Local Transport:
Lucknow Metro provides a convenient and affordable way to get around the city. You can take the metro to the closest station (Aminabad or Lucknow) and then take an auto-rickshaw or rickshaw for the remaining distance to Bara Imambara. Alternatively, Lucknow also has a well-established public bus network that you can utilize to reach the vicinity of the Imambara.
Little-known facts about Bara Imambara
- This central chamber is the biggest arched hall in the world, with no pillars or beams to support the ceiling.
- The BhulBhulaiya, or labyrinth in the Imambara, was not designed deliberately. It was more of mazes that were created to support its weight. Huge monument, which is situated in a marshy area.
- A number of passages in the BhulBhulaiya have been closed to the general public due to those who went in without a guide disappeared.
- The designer for Bara Imambara, Kifayatullah, is also buried inside the monument.
As you step out of the Bara Imambara, blinking in the sunlight after the cool labyrinthine depths, take a moment to let the experience settle. The Bara Imambara transcends its physical form. It’s a testament to human ingenuity, a symbol of resilience in the face of hardship, and a vibrant cultural hub. It’s a place where history whispers in your ear, and architectural marvels leave you awestruck