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Bara Imambara is an imambara complex in Lucknow, India, built by
Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Lucknow, in 1784. It is also called the Asafi
Imambara.
Bara means big, and an imambara is a shrine built by Shia Muslims for
the purpose of Azadari. The Bara Imambara is among the grandest
buildings of Lucknow.
Building Composition
The complex also includes the large Asafi mosque, the bhulbhulayah (the
labyrinth), and bowli, a step well with running water. Two imposing
gateways lead to the main hall.
Relief Measure
Construction of Bara Imambara was started in 1785, 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. It is said that ordinary people used to work in the day building
up the edifice, while noblemen and other elite worked at night. It was a
project that preceded a Keynesian like intervention for employment
generation. Construction of the Imambara was completed in 1791.
Estimated cost of building the Imambara ranges between half a million
rupees to a million rupees. Even after completion Nawab used to spend
between four and five hundred thousand rupees on its decoration
annually.
Architecture
The architecture of the complex reflects the maturation of ornamented
Mughal design, namely the Badshahi Mosque - it is one of the last major
projects not incorporating any European elements or the use of iron. The
main imambara consists of a large vaulted central chamber containing the
tomb of Asaf-ud-Daula. At 50 by 16 meters and over 15 meters tall, it
has no beams supporting the ceiling and is one of the largest such
arched constructions in the world. There are eight surrounding chambers
built to different roof heights, permitting the space above these to be
reconstructed as a three-dimensional labyrinth with passages
interconnecting with each other through 489 identical doorways. This
part of the building, and often the whole complex, may be referred to as
the bhulbhulayah. Known as a popular attraction, it is possibly the only
existing maze in India and came about unintenionally to support the
weight of the building which is constructed on marshy land.
Asaf-ud-Daula also erected the 18 meter (59 foot) high Rumi Darwaza,
just outside. This portal, embellished with lavish decorations, was the
Imambara's west facing entrance.
The design of the Imambara was obtained through a competitive process.
The winner was a Delhi architect Kifayatullah, who also lies buried in
the main hall of the Imambara. It is another unique aspect of the
building that the sponsor and the architect lie buried beside each
other. The roof of imam Bara is made up from the rice husk which make
this imambargah a unique building.
Legend
There is also a blocked (tunnel) passageway which, according to legends,
leads through a mile-long underground passage to a location near the
Gomti river. Other passages are rumoured to lead to Faizabad (the former
seat of power of the Nawabs), Allahabad and even to Delhi. They exist
but have been sealed after a period of long disuse as well as fears over
the disappearance of people who had purportedly gone missing, while
exploring.
Visitor
Information
Entry
Ticket : Buy here a COMBINED PASS (Entry ticket) : Rs. 35/- from the
Ticket Window at 2nd Gate of Bara Imambara- Provided by Hussainabad
Trust, Lucknow, for visiting Bara Imambara, Bhool Bhlaia,
Shahi Baoli,
Picture Gallery,
Chhota Imambara. (Earlier it was
Rs.25/- revised from 01.12.2010)
Care: Please take a torch while visiting Bhool Bhulaiya (Labyrinth). Do
not be alarmed of the closed Galiyara (passages). Keep in mind that if
you try to climb up stairs towards upper roof, you can find down-stairs
there. Guide facility is provided and they charge Rs.150 or more.
How to reach : Take a reliable Taxi or auto or Rickshaw if you are in
city. If you are coming through train or Air, please take a pre-paid
taxi or auto rickshaw.
Getting There
Lucknow is
well connected with all metro and other important cities like Bangalore,
Chennai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Jammu Tawi, Guwahati, Chandigarh, Pune,
Jaipur and Bhopal either by Lucknow Charbagh(N.R.) or by Lucknow
Junction(N.E.R.). Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (IATA: LKO, ICAO: VILK),
is situated at Amausi in the city of Lucknow, India.
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