Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh and it has always been a multicultural city. Courtly manners, beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine patronized by the Persian-loving Shia Nawabs of the city are well known amongst Indians and students of South Asian culture and history. Lucknow is popularly known as the The City of Nawabs. It is also known as the Golden City of the East, Shiraz-i-Hind and The Constantinople of India

About Bakshi Ka Talab

Bakshi Ka Talab is a nagar panchayat town in Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is also the headquarters of a corresponding tehsil, as well as a community development block of the same name. As of 2011, its population was 49,166, in 8,728 households. It consists of both residential and business settlements. Bakshi Ka Talab is an organised settlement developed by Lucknow Development Authority (LDA). It is connected to Lucknow via National Highway 24.

Bakshi Ka Talab features the annual play Ramlila, staged since 1972, wherein lead characters like Rama, Lakshamana and Hanumana are played by Muslim youths. This play has also been adapted into radio play "Us gaon ki ramlila" to promote communal harmony among the masses.

The three main commodities produced here are cement tiles and pipes, soap, and furniture. The famous Chandrika Devi Temple is located in nearby Kathwara.

Tourist Places

Chandrika Devi Temple

Chandrika Devi Temple is a sacred temple dedicated to one of the many forms of Hindu Mother Goddess Durga in the city of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is a prominent pilgrimage site for locals and interstate people. It is also a tourist destination for the people of adjoining cities and rural folks.

It is situated on the bank of river Gomti at the north-west of National Highway No.24 (Lucknow-Sitapur Road) in Kathwara village, near Bakshi ka talab, Lucknow City. This temple is 300 years old and is well known for the deity Chandrika Devi - a form of Goddess Durga. Located in a natural environment encircled by the river Gomti in the north, west and south side, it is around 28 km away from the main city of Lucknow. It is about 45 km away from Lucknow Airport. This place and nearby areas have relevance and religious significance since the time of the Ramayana. It is also called Mahi Sagar Teerth. There is mention of this temple in the holy books of Skand and Karma Puran.

It is said that elder son of Shri Lakshmana - the founder of Lucknow, Rajkumar Chandraketu, was once passing with Ashwamegh Horse through Gomti. In the way, it became dark and hence he had to take rest in the then dense forest. He prayed Goddess for safety. Within a moment there was cool moon light and the Goddess appeared before him and assured him. It is said that a grand temple established here during that era was destroyed in 12th century by foreign invaders. It is also said that around 250 years back some nearby villagers, while roaming in the forests, located this beautiful place- which was hidden with dense forests. Next day, a villager could locate the statue of Devi and it was placed at the present place. Later on, a temple was constructed and since then people continued to visit this temple and offer 'Pooja' after knowing the appearance of Ma Chandrika Devi. This place is also known as Mahi Sagar Teerth.

Chhota Imam Bara

It serves as a gallery for display of life size portraits of the Nawabs of Awadh. There are around 30 stairs to reach the Picture Gallery. In front of the Picture gallery, there is a beautiful pond surrounded by green lawns and trees. The portraits of Nawabs indicate the contemporary grand costumes and jewellery used in those days.

Bada Imam Bara

Its central hall is said to be the largest vaulted chamber in the world. Except for the galleries in the interior, there is no woodwork in the entire structure. It is now used by Shia Muslims for the purpose of Azadari.

It is believed that the construction of this grand building was started in 1785 when a devastating famine had hit Awadh, and the nawab’s objective was to provide employment for people in the region for almost a decade while the famine lasted.

It has large underground passages which have been blocked up. A staircase from outside leads to a series of labyrinths known as Bhool-Bhulaiyan, which is a complicated entanglement of zig-zag passages. Visitors are advised to visit only with authorised guides. Within the compound of the Imambara is the grand Asafi Mosque. Shahi Baoli is another attraction here.

Timing : Sunrise to Sunset. Entry fee : Rs. 25.00 (Indian). Rs. 500.00 (Foreigner) (inclusive of Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Picture Gallery, Shahi Hamam).

Rumi Gate

Lucknow, the seat of the nawabs of Awadh, is home to several magnificent monuments. The 60 feet high Rumi Gate in Lucknow was constructed during the reign of Nawab Asafi-ud-Daula in 1784-86. It is said to be identical in design to an ancient portal at Constantinople in Turkey and is also referred to as Turkish Gate.

Ghanta Ghar

Husainabad Clock Tower is a clock tower located in the city of Lucknow. It was built in 1881 by Nawab Nasir-ud-Din Haider for the arrival of Sir George Cooper, the first lieutenant governor of the United Provinces of Oudh. It was built at a cost of Rs 1.75 lakhs

Residency

The British Residency of Lucknow is a famous historical landmark of this place. It is now in ruins and has been declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. The British Residency was the place that served as a refuge for approximately 3000 British inhabitants during the time of the uprising of 1857