The Bara Imambara of Lucknow proudly stands among the most famous monuments in the City of Nawabs. This is the second largest Imambara after the Nizamat Imambara. Also, there is a gate known as the Rumi Darwaza, which stands imposingly between this Imambara and the Chota Imambara. The hotels near Bara Imambara are greatly sought after owing to the presence of such majestic monuments in such close vicinity. This Imambara is prominently known for its incredible maze, locally known as the Bhul Bhulaiya, which has as many as 1024 ways to get inside but only 2 to come out.
What Is An Imambara
A husayniyya, called Imambara in Hindi, is a congregation hall for Shia Muslim commemoration ceremonies, especially those associated with the Mourning of Muharram. An Imambara is a multipurpose hall for the mourning of Muharram and other commemoration rituals of the Shia school of thought and belief that gets its name from Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad. Conclusively, an Imambara is a shrine built by Shia Muslims for Azadari.
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Bara Imambara
Bara Imambara, also known as Asafi Imambara locally, is an Imambara complex in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh, in 1784. Bara (in Hindi) translates to big. An Imambara, in general, is a shrine built by Shia Muslims for Azadari. The Bara Imambara is not only a significant religious site for Muslims but also a testament to the syncretic Awadhi culture and architectural innovation of the time. Today, it is one of the most famous monuments in the City of Nawabs. Simultaneously, it also reflects the Nawabi era’s opulence and their immense and invaluable contribution to arts, culture, and architecture despite the political turmoils of the period. Also, there is a gate known as the Rumi Darwaza which stands imposingly between this Imambara and the Chota Imambara.
Top Hotels Near Bara Imambara
Let’s explore these four hotels near Bara Imambara that allow you to visit all the surrounding monuments easily and enjoy the Nawabi aura of Lucknow:
1. Hotel Golden Orchid
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Centrally located amidst the city’s tourist attractions, the Golden Orchid is an ideal point of departure to explore famous excursions in Lucknow. The hotel is situated close to the airport, at a distance of 17 km and 6.3 km from the Lucknow railway station. Some of the popular monuments for sightseeing that are located in the close vicinity of the hotel are Rumi Darwaza (3.2 km), Bara Imambara (4 km), Aminabad (4.1 km) and Chandrika Devi Mandir (10.9 km). All the rooms of this hotel are well equipped with modern facilities like air conditioner, cable television, living room, hot/cold running water and essential bathroom toiletries. Step in the in-house restaurant, offering a tempting variety of scrumptious delicacies.
Price: Starting from INR 2,256
Location: B-83, Nirala Nagar opp Ram Krishna Math, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India 226020
Amenities:
- Free Parking
- Free High-Speed Internet (WiFi)
- Free breakfast
- Car hire
- Conference facilities
- Banquet room
- ATM on site
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2. Hotel Gemini Continental
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Offering a dash of modernity coupled with traditional Lucknowi tehzeeb, Gemini Continental located in Lucknow is a 4-star hotel that offers well-furnished rooms, which are categorised into Luxury and Superior rooms. All the rooms are equipped with modern amenities, such as LED television, hair dryer, mini bar, safety locker, swipe card lock system and en suite bathroom. This hotel is situated at a short distance from popular attractions of the city, such as Bara Imambara (3.0 km), Hazratganj, and Sadat Ali Khan Tomb. This hotel also boasts of a multi-cuisine restaurant called Zaika, where the guests can savour a lip-smacking variety of Indian, Chinese and Continental dishes. Also, The Seven Heaven bar attached to the restaurant offers cocktails, mock-tails and wine. The guests can explore the neighbouring area of Hazratganj- a major shopping area in the city of Lucknow.
Price: Starting from INR 4,729
Location: 10 Rani Laxmi Bai Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India 226001
Amenities:
- Free Parking
- Free High-Speed Internet (WiFi)
- Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
- Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
- Airport Transportation
- Business Centre with Internet Access
- Bar/lounge
- Restaurant
- Car hire and Taxi service
- Concierge
- Currency exchange
- Laundry service
3. Regenta Central Lucknow
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Located in Hazratganj, Regenta Central Lucknow lies in the heart of the business and shopping districts of Lucknow. It has proximity to all major shopping areas, entertainment hubs and architectural wonders like Bara Imambara (3.8 km). Stunning interiors, tastefully designed rooms, impeccable service and a plethora of delicious cuisines from around the world combine to make this Lucknow’s most graceful and elegant hotel. Regenta Central Lucknow represents the local culture & hospitality with modest luxury, fine cuisine and the most modern conference & meeting facilities for discerning business travellers without losing touch with the traditional culture of the city. The hotel is situated close to both the airport and the railway station.
Price: Starting from INR 4,687
Location: 4 Sapru Marg, Prem Nagar, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India 226001
Amenities:
- Free Parking
- Free High-Speed Internet (WiFi)
- Free breakfast
- Restaurant
- Laundry service
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4. Clarks Avadh
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Quintessentially known for its hospitality and finesse, Hotel Clarks Avadh, is the first 5-star hotel in Lucknow. Strategically located on the banks of river Gomti, the hotel is just 2.6 km from Bara Imambara, 1 km from Hazratganj, the shopping district of Lucknow, 15 km from the nearest airport and 4 km from the closest railway station. Falaknuma, an exclusive rooftop restaurant offering an exclusive Nawabi ambience and serving delicious Awadhi cuisine. Also, 24X7 room service is available for guests.
Price: Starting from INR 6,189
Location: 8 Mahatma Gandhi Marg Hazratganj, Lucknow 226001
Amenities:
- Pool
- Fitness Centre with Gym / Workout Room
- Free breakfast
- Table tennis
- Kids stay free
- Babysitting
- Secured parking
- Rooftop pool
- Bar/lounge
- Restaurant
Further Read: Places To Visit In Uttar Pradesh
Now you have a list of hotels that are closest to Bara Imambara and let you stay in the heart of the city. Make sure you plan your trip to Lucknow and don’t forget to explore the architectural marvels of this city. Keep these fabulous hotels in mind for the experience of a lifetime. Don’t miss out on these properties and book your tickets now!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hotels Near Bara Imambara
How far is Bara Imambara from Chota Imambara?
Chota Imambara isn't very far away from Bara Imambara. Located at a distance of just 2 km, you should better walk from one monument to another. This way, you can explore many other attractions in between these two such as the Clock Tower, Art Gallery, Rumi Darwaza etc.
Why was the Bara Imambara built?
Construction of Bara Imambara was started in 1780, a year of devastating famine, and one of Asaf-ud-Daula's objectives in embarking on this grandiose project was to generate opportunities for employment of the people in the region for almost a decade while the famine lasted.
What is the economics involved in the construction of Bara Imambara?
It is said that ordinary people used to work during the day building up the edifice, while noblemen and other elite worked at night to break down anything that was raised that day. It was a project that preceded a Keynesian-like model for employment generation.
When can one visit Bara Imambara?
The Imambara is open to the public six days a week. You can visit the Bara Imambara between 6 am and 5 pm anytime from Tuesday through Sunday. For Indian tourists, the ticket prices are fairly nominal - Rs 50 for adults and Rs 25 for children. But for foreign tourists, the ticket price is Rs 500.
Why do so many tourists visit Bara Imambara?
The Bara Imambara is primarily known for its incredible maze, known as Bhul Bhulaiya locally. Located on the upper floor of the monument. It is said that there are as many as 1024 ways to get inside the maze but only 2 to come out.
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