|
Lucknow
Lucknow,
Capital of India's most popular state-Uttar Pradesh.
The city probably derives its name from the legend that
Rama gave away this part of the country to Lakshmana,
his younger brother. Lucknow was the abode of the Nawabs
of Avadh, and their regal pastimes and pleasure were
legendary. The food from the royal kitchens was the
result of creative experimentation, exquisite and delicate
in taste. Many of the royal residences are now
crumbling, but the best known of Lucknow's architectural
representatives are the Imambaras,
and the bhulbhulaiyan,
a labyrinth where getting lost is the simplest thing
to do. Lucknow also continues to be home to the fine
chikan embroidery executed with fine skill on fabrics,
saris and kurtas. The British occupation of Lucknow
was another chapter in the history of the city and the
Residency
was built by the British to house their troops and officials.
Most of it was unfortunately destroyed during the 1857
mutiny which saw heavy troop-movement in Lucknow. The
credit for the construction of the La
Martiniere School
in Lucknow too goes to the British.
The city today, spread on both sides of the river Gomti,
a Tributary of the Ganga, is undergoing tremendous changes
with new shopping and housing complexes, hotels coming
up fast. Offices of major national as well as international
companies are located here, giving it a status of only
a place of tourist interest, but also as a major convention
and conference venue. The temperature in summer
and winter range between 29 degree C- 44 degree C and
5.1 degree C - 30 degree C respectively. Languages spoken
here include Hindi, Urdu and English. Cotton and tropical
clothes in the summer and woolens during the winter
are required. |