Awadhcity or 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.

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, Kababs at Akbari Gate, Ram Asrey ki malai aur lal peda, Raja-ki-thandai, Parathas naans aur sheermals 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 Kehte Hain Lucknow - Usey Hum Kehte Hain Duja Jahan" (The place that you call Lucknow - we call the other world)

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) as their mujras (dance performances). 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.

Your trip to Lucknow will remain incomplete if you don't head out to famous shopping places in Lucknow. Shopping in Lucknow is fun as it is an entirely different experience. The city of Lucknow does have many glittering malls and multiplexes, yet shopping in those little markets for knick-knacks and souvenirs has its own different charm. You wouldn't have to decide what to buy in Lucknow, as the place is very famous for quite some things. For more information on where to shop in Lucknow.

The first thing that comes to mind while talking about shopping in Lucknow is of course the famous Chikan work of Lucknow. No, it has got nothing to do with eating chicken! Chikan is a very famous thread work that is done by the skilled craftsmen of Lucknow. It is combines with Zardosi (embroidery with gold and silver threads) and crystal work and embroidered on clothes for women, men, kids, mats, bed sheets, table mats and just about anything you can think of. They make great gifts and beautiful souvenirs.

Lucknow is also famous for its shops of jewellery and ornaments. Right from the nose pin to the waistband, you name it and they will have it. These exquisite works of jewellery are exclusive and are found only in Lucknow. The jewellery pieces have unique work of metal ornamentation that looks splendid. Another famous type of jewellery found there is the Jadau, which means jewellery in which gems are studded. Lucknow is famous for its big danglers and Jhumkas that are found in the wardrobe of each and every girl.

Lucknow has its own share of shopping places. Although you may not find many big malls, one finds some malls that have sprung up here and there and are often thronged by youngsters who come to shop for branded stuff. Some of the major and famous shopping places in Lucknow are Aminabad, Kapoorthala, Hazratganj and Janpath. For exquisite jewellery, you can go to Gadbadjhala, which is quite reputed for its exquisite jewellery works. Among the malls, one finds some malls like Sahara Ganj, Fun Republic and East End Mall. One also finds some multiplexes like PVR, Waves and Fun Cinemas, which provide entertainment around the clock.

By Flight
There are daily flights from Delhi, Bombay and Kolkata. Amausi Airport, Lucknow is directly connected with Delhi, Patna, Kolkata, Bombay and Varanasi by direct flights.

By Train
Lucknow is on the New Delhi - Varanasi railway route. Connections can be made to Agra and Allahabad. A major railway junction, Lucknow is conveniently connected to many cities. Some of the important trains are : 5307/5308 Shatabadi Ex. : 5063/5064; Nainital Ex; : 9165/9166; Sabarmati Exp : 2553/2554; Vaishali Exp : 5609/5610; Awadh-Assam Exp : 8475/8476; Neelanchal Exp : 4283/4284; Ganga-Yamuna Exp : 4229/4230 Lucknow Mail : 2419/2420; Gomti Exp : 4057/4058; Kashi-Vishwanath Exp : 4011/4012; Nauchandi Exp : 1015/1016; Bombay-Gorakhpur Exp : 5011/5012; Cochin-Gorakhpur Exp. The Important Contact for Lucknow Railways are as under:- Railways Manual Enquiry 131, 135, 2636132 Pre Recorded 1331, 1332 Reservation 1330, 1350, 0522-2635841 Badshahnagar 0522-2385182

By Road
Lucknow is connected by road with all the major cities of the country. Some of the major road distances are : Agra - 363 km, Allahabad - 210 km, Ayodhya - 135 km, Kolkata - 985 km, Corbett National Park - 400 km, Delhi - 497 km, Dudhwa National Park - 238 km, Kanpur - 79 km, Khajuraho - 320 km, Varanasi - 650 km.

By Bus
The Bus Stations are situated at Charbagh, Alambagh, and Kaisar Bagh. The Telephone No for Roadways Inter State Bus Terminal Alambagh is : 0522-2458096 Buses from Sunauli-Bhairawa on the India/Nepal border stop on their way to Varanasi.

Best time to visit Lucknow
Lucknow is a wonderful place and can be visited just about anytime through the year. However, the best time to visit Lucknow is usually from October to March. This is usually the peak season for Lucknow travel. The weather in Lucknow varies from time to time and there are some extremities in the climatic conditions also. Although there is no answer as such for describing the ideal time to visit Lucknow, one usually visits Lucknow during the months of October to March.

The summers of Lucknow are pretty extreme and the temperatures can go upto 45o Celsius during the months of May and June. During winters, the temperatures can go down to as low as 3° Celsius. However, winters are pleasant and the afternoons are usually warm. The temperature is usually pleasant during October to March and this is the time when tourists flock this place, as it is easier to roam around in a good weather.