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Friday 22 April, 2011

Sky Watch Friday: Bada Imambara

It seems, I just can't get enough of my own City of Nawabs aka LUCKNOW. I must have visited the Bada Imambara several times before, and yet here I am again, with outstation relatives in tow, who were visiting Lucknow for the first time. I enjoyed capturing pictures of the monument as much as they did, while the guide took us around.... on a sightseeing tour of the Imambara, its domed chambers and central hallway, the Bhulbhulayan (maze/ labyrinth), the Bowli, the Asfi Mosque and the Gardens....
Endless Corridor @  Bhulbhulayah (the Labyrinth)
Asfi Mosque  n Clear Blue Skies....
Bada Imambara Facade - Among the grandest Buildings of Lucknow aka City of Nawabs. 

The Bara Imambara was built in 1783, 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. According to reports, the famine continued for over a decade and the construction of the building continued for this time. It is said that ordinary people used to work in the day building up the edifice, while noblemen and other elite were called at night to break down all the structure raised, as they were incapable of doing anything else, according to a chronicle of the period. This see-saw efforts continued till the famine period was over. 

Running arched Parapets on the Roof of Bada Imambara - Photo taken @ 6:11 PM
Minutes later the sky changes colour .... Photo taken @ 6:15 PM
Undoubtedly my Favorite shot for the day....what with warm Orange hues as a backdrop for the Minarets
Enjoying the view of the city, along with the Sunset, peeping through one of the Arched Parapets 
My entry for : Sky watch Friday

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow - what gorgeous shots. Love the sunset and silhouettes - magical!

Linnea said...

What incredible architecture. Love the silhouette shots against the soft sky. Enjoy the day.

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

Thank you for these magnificent glimpses of your city!


I WONDER WHY

I wonder why
Some love the sky
But not the wind and rain.

I wonder, friend,
If sky will end—
It’s too much for my brain!


© by Magical Mystical Teacher

Sacred Place

A. said...

lovely silhouettes

Rekha said...

you have captured the beautiful architecture and nature in perfect harmony in almost flawless pictures. :)

Anonymous said...

Lovely pictures! I have never been to Lucknow- thank you for sharing your city.

Andrea said...

They are lovely shots, mostly i love the 1st and last. I always love perspectives like the 1st one, but in real life it looks eerie. I also smiled at the story where the nobles destroy the parts constructed by the workers during the day. I wonder why they just not feed all the people with the extra wealth they have, till famine finished! Amazing! BTW, what is the nearest flight connection to Luchnow? thanks.

Ever Green Tree said...

@ Andrea, You have an eye for detail. The Nawab of Avadh didn't believe in distributing Free Lunches, they believed in making people earn for their own livelihood. I am glad you liked the pictures and a bit of history related with the monument.
Would love to have you visit our city. The nearest connection would be a 45 min flight from New Delhi.
Thx a ton for the comment.

Shirley said...

I can see why this is your favourite shot! It is stunning with the architecture in silhouette against the sunset. Nicely done!

Rosie Gan said...

A beautiful place... that last photo of the sunset is a treasure. Love it. Thanks for submitting this post to my meme, MISSION QUITE POSSIBLE {Mission 3]
Rosie@travel-i-tales