It is the most ethical and homely place to be !!!
The greatest thing bout it is that even if a person abuses u he will say " aap bewakoof hai!!!"….
Hence lucknow is a place of fun and culture at the same time.Lucknow has always had strong cultural links from the time of the Nawabs. The famous courtesans of Lucknow were as noted for their shayri (poetry). In fact the great tradition of music and dance reverberates in the winding lanes of the old city even today. While old is always gold in this city that hangs to its roots with a famous fanticism that borders on obsession, the Lakhnavi retains his yen order that boasts of hoary legacies.
It is the most ethical and homely place to be !!!
Thw greatest thing bout it is that even if a person abuses u he will say " aap bewakoof hai!!!"….
Hence lucknow is a place of fun and culture at the same time.Lucknow has always had strong cultural links from the time of the Nawabs. The famous courtesans of Lucknow were as noted for their shayri (poetry). In fact the great tradition of music and dance reverberates in the winding lanes of the old city even today. While old is always gold in this city that hangs to its roots with a famous fanticism that borders on obsession, the Lakhnavi retains his yen order that boasts of hoary legacies.
Lucknow – The upcoming METRO is a hallmark of cultural extravaganza, known all over the world for its many splendours. A city that has a magical charm, a charm that’s forever and a charm that’s apart. Be it the cultural charm or the monumental one, all are well conserved here to make Lucknow " The city of many splendours".
Walking through the lanes and by-lanes of Chowk and Aminabad one finds Lucknow of yore. The ‘tehzib’ or mannerism is still prominent and a topic of great appreciation. This is a city that still speaks the language of "aap-janab" and the dictum of "pehle aap" is still a part of everyday life for a true Lakhnawi. – and so natural it is – Aadab or salutation which has its own sophistication and style. Dress forms though have changed noticeably in the span of a century, yet the beauty and charisma of Chikan – the intricate and delicate hand embroidery, still rules the wardrobe. Lucknow is in fact among a few cities that duly understands the grace of the ‘dupattas’ or the covering cloth.
Wisdom, women and wine are the three things truly understood and respected by the Nawabs. Not a thing of condemnation but an institution it was the “kothas", where sons of Nawabs were deliberately sent to learn the culture, sophistication and respect for the fairer sex. Muzzafar Ali’s unforgettable film "Umrao Jaan" is a depiction of this social institution. Love was found in either Paris or Lucknow– a proof of this is the lovers lane in the posh modern Hazratganj: these lanes were used as a meeting place for the lonely hearts to escape the monitoring eyes of their parents.
"Kan kauwe bazi" or kite flying was not only a pastime but the means of sending love letters to the beloved, "kal shaam kothe pe aana, hum intezaar kareinge tumhara"– Tomorrow in the evening come to the terrace, I’ll wait for you. Such words were written on the patang or the kite and the kite was flown and dropped on the beloved’s terrace. A story goes that once a Chhote Nawab did this with his beloved and instead of the beloved getting the letter her mother found it and the love bug bit her, assuming that the Bade Nawab has done this sweet and naughty thing, she reciprocated in the same manner writing "Intezaar tumhara hi to tha humein, umra bhar rahein takte rahe, der lagee aane mein tumko, shukr hai phir bhi aaye to"– I was waiting for this all my life, you came late yet now you have come. Thus started the love between the Bade Nawab and the Badi Begum which ended up in their marriage and left the real ones to repent.
Today in Lucknow many things may have impurities but preparations like those of Tunde-ke-kabab, Rahim-ke-kulche nihari, Bismillah-ki-biryani, Radhey-ki malai gilori and lassi, Raja-ki-thandai ya Sharma-ki-chaat have held their heads high due to purity and standards maintained. Good eateries in Lucknow are often found in the serpentine lanes of old Lucknow. So many of you would have been born in Lucknow like me, but will agree that each day is distinct. The shades of the monuments differ with each sun and moon. You discover and rediscover Lucknow everyday. No one has known Lucknow to the full and will never. That is why : "Jisey Aap Kehtein Hein Lucknow – Usey Hum Kehtein Hein Duja Jahan" (The place that you call Lucknow – we call the other world
Local transport in Lucknow is easily available round the clock and rest assured that you would never have a problem with moving around in Lucknow. There are a variety of options to choose from for moving around here and there. In Lucknow, local transportation is very affordable and the most convenient way to explore this city. In order to know more about the various means of public transport in Lucknow, read the information given in the following lines.
The tourists are requested to wear normal kind of clothing here i.e. it is advisable for the ladies not to wear deep-necked shirts or very short skirts especially in the religious monuments (Imambaras, Mosques, Temples) and the oldest bazaar of Lucknow known as Chowk bazaar. Modern Bazar Hazratganj is apt for any kind of clothing.
People may stare at you at times but their intention is not to disturb you or anything else. This may be because the localities are not used to the tourism culture and they don’t see foreigners quite often in Lucknow .
Take care whenever you cross the road . Look at both sides of the road and then cross the road. Try to be with the group or with your guide while crossing the road. Try to keep to your left always while strolling in any of the markets in Lucknow . Since Chowk bazaar is very narrow and busy, so don’t stand in the mid of the passage for photography , it may cause problem for the other people and their may be a traffic jam.
Although there are very few beggars and touts in Lucknow , if you happen to see them in any of the monument, bazaar or railway station, please don’t encourage them by giving money or any other gifts. It may create problem for you as there will be many more to approach you for the same favour.
Whenever you start the city tour you should be equipped with the monument socks and if possible small torches etc.
La Martienere building is a private school now, so no one is allowed to have a look of the rooms, library or the tomb of Claude Martin from inside. If the school is on you are requested to maintain silence and not to disturb the students while studying . It is also advisable not to stand outside the classrooms for long as it distracts the students – and a teacher may object to your visit during school hours. You may take the photographs of the building from outside only. There is no charge for photography in this monument.
In Dilkusha Palace you are allowed to take photographs without any charges.
In the Lucknow Residency , the fee for the movie camera is INR 25 per person . Still camera is allowed without any charge. There is a War Memorial Museum in the Residency ( closed on Mondays and public holidays, timings: 1030 hrs to 1630 hrs ) where any kind of photography is strictly prohibited . You have to keep your cameras and bags in the locker just outside the Museum building and you may keep the keys with you until you return from the museum (only ladies’ purse that too very small in size are allowed to take along in the museum).
Toilets in monuments. In Lucknow one can find toilet only in Residency, Asafi Imambara and Hussainabad Imambara. You should be mentally prepared that the toilets may not be very clean at these places. In case of emergency you may ask your guide and he’ll take you to the nearest hotel for the toilet.
Avoid hugging or kissing your female partner . Ladies are requested not to wear deep necked dresses or any kind of dress that may harm the religious and cultural sentiments of the people.
In Asfi Imambara you may take photographs (still and movie both) but in the labyrnth movie cameras are not allowed (still photography is allowed) and moreover, you are not allowed to take bags along with you (ladies purse is allowed and that too small in size). You may deposit your bags and movie cameras before going up to the lybranth at a nominal price at the counter there. But it is advisable to keep your bags or belongings in the coach / car before entering the Asafi Imambara Complex. One has to take off the shoes before entering the Imambara. There are 84 steep steps to go at the top of the Imambara. The corridors are dark and some steps are missing too in the labyrinth, so it is advisable to take small torches along. You should stay with your guide in the labyrinth, as there are 489 identical doorways inside and extremely difficult to come out without your guide’s help.
In Picture Gallery photography is not allowed . There are around 30 steps to reach the gallery.
In Hussainabad Imambara you are allowed to take the photographs.
Jama Masjid is not opened for the non-muslims. You will be seeing this monument from outside. For photography please ask your guide he will seek permission on your behalf (as this building is under a muslim trust and their rules keep changing).
Chattar Manzil, Governor House (Kothi Hyaat Baksh), Council House are the buildings that you can see only from outside as these buildings have the government offices. Photography is strictly prohibited .
Saadat Ali Khan and Mursheedzadi’s Tombs where you may take photographs from outside only . Once you enter inside the building you are not allowed to take the photographs. Though these monuments are not open for public.
More : http://www.bharatonline.com/uttar-pradesh/travel/lucknow/index.html