Lucknow is one such place that holds a significant place in my heart. The capital city of Uttar Pradesh, had an exotic nawabi culture and boosted many monuments of Nawabi Era. One such cenotaph that we explored was Bara Imambara or the Great Imambara of Lucknow. Built in the year 1784 by the champion of charity Nawab Asaf ud Daula, the Bara Imambara provided food to the famine stricken subjects of the Nawab.

Since we were new to the place, we took a guide that helped us ( My daughter and me) in exploring the monument. He acquainted us with the history and helped us in exploring the cenotaph.

He told us that the Great Imambara is part of the Asaf-ud-daula Imabara complex that encompass a mosque, courtyards, gateways and a 'bawali' or step-well used as a summer palace. The mausoleum was constructed as part of a famine relief program following the famine of 1784. The complex is one of the earlier attempts in Lucknow to imitate a Mughal complex and incorporates high-arcaded battlements even when security was not a concern.

We entered the complex through the Rumi Darwaza while leads into a courtyard that connects to the main courtyard through a triple-arch gateway. The imambara is a unique architectural form that is used for ceremonies performed by Shia Muslims to commemorate the death of Hussain, grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at Karbala in 680 A.D.

No doubt! The architecture of this 15 meter high room was quiet peculiar. Ram, our guide told us that the Nawabs of the bygone era used to hold there ' Darbar ' or their public hearings . It is said that this hall is the world's largest arched room without any pillars. The upper part of this building is in shape of honey bees comb and is surrounded by the famous 'Bhul Bhulliya'. This has got numerous steps and there are 489 doorless galleries which are similar in appearance. People get lost in these galleries. Leena took many snaps of the Great Imambara. Those snaps have taken a good space in Leena's album, comprising all the photographs that she shot on her tour to Uttar Pradesh.