Lucknow – “The City of Nawabs”, Golden City of East, Constantinople of India
It is a city in India and also the Capital of Uttar Pradesh. The Lucknow city which saw great popular rulers and dynasties come and go, and in the process leave indelible impressions. It is believed that Lucknow derives its name from Lakshman (also known as a Lakhan younger brother of Lord Rama, greatest hero of Suryawanshi Kshatriya clan of India. Ram ordered Lakshman to establish a new town near Ayodhya, the capital of Rama. Lakshman came and built a strong fort. The present Lakshman Teela in Lucknow is believed to be the site of the ancient city of Lakhanpur built by Lakshman, Lucknow city situated on the banks of the river Gomti, Two centuries ago this beautiful city was the capital of the Wazirs and Nawabs of Avadh (Oudh). It was once the pivot of a unique culture, art and etiquette — an ethos so unique that the term "Lucknavi" culture still continues to be a byword for gracious living.
During the dynasty of Avadh was founded by a Persian named Saadat Khan in 1739 and the laudable work was carried on by his successors till 1814 after which it began to deteriorate. During the reign of Asaf-ud-Daula (1775-1797), Lucknow was at its zenith. It was practically the "Paris of India", the country’s center of art and culture. The year 1857 saw a mutinous Lucknow. The bullet-pierced walls of the Residency speak of the six tumultuous months of the 1857 uprising. The great Imambara, with the Central Hall measuring 162 feet by 53 feet, is one of the largest vaulted galleries in the world.
Tourist Attractions:
The great Imambara, the Rumi Darwaza, the 'Bhul Bhulaiyan' (Labyrinth) is part of an Asafi Imambara complex, the Picture Gallery, the Residency, the Jami Masjid, the Lakshm- an Tila and the Shah Najaf Imambara.
Varanasi:- “ The holy city of India” or “The oldest living city on Earth”
Varanasi city is situated on the banks of the sacred river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the world's oldest living cities on the earth, People also commonly known as Banaras or Benaras and Kashi, the city has been a renowned center of l0earning and civilization and the capital of Hinduism since time immemorial. Often visited by destructive blows from Muslim invaders, Varanasi lost many of its ancient temples through the centuries, but It is regarded as a holy city by Hindus, Buddhists and Jainsm.
Varanasi,Banaras, Kashi, Kashi Vishwanath temple,Banaras Hindu university, Sarnath, Jaunpur, Tanda falls, Banarasi sarees,Ganges in Banaras, Ganga
But even today, the city has about 1,500 temples, the most important and famous of them being the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Countless people bow in reverence and pray for eternal freedom of the soul of this sacred city. A sure way of attaining Nirvana or salvation, believe the Hindus, is to die in this holy city. Proud of its 100-odd ghats on the riverfront, the city attracts a large number of pilgrims coming for a dip or bringing the dead bodies of their dear ones to be cremated here.