Bara Imambara is famous for its roofs made from rice husk ash.
In 1784, Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula of Awadh built Bara Imambara, also known as Asfi Imambara, a lucknow, India. Imambara is a shrine created by Shia Muslims for Azadari, bara means big. The Nizamat Imambara of Murshidabad is the largest Imambara followed by this one. In addition to a stepwell with running water, the complex houses the large Asfi Mosque, the Bhul-Bhulaiya (labyrinth) and more. One can reach the main hall through two imposing portals. There are 1024 ways to get to the terrace, but only two ways to exit; through the first door or the exit door.
Asaf-ud-Daula wanted to employ locals during the devastating famine that lasted for almost a decade, so he started construction at Bara Imambara in 1780, the same year the famine began. As history records, nobles and elites worked at night to demolish whatever was built during the day, while ordinary workers worked during the day to build the complex. Imambara cost between Rs 500,000 and Rs 1,000,000 to build at the time and was completed in 1794. Nawab continues to spend Rs 400,000 to Rs 500,000 a year on renovations.
unintentional building
The Badshahi Mosque is one of the main buildings of the complex, without any European influence or use of iron, its architecture shows the evolution of decorative Mughal designs. Asaf-ud-Daula’s tomb is in a large vaulted central chamber in the main building of Imambara. It is one of the largest vaulted structures in the world, measuring 50 x 16 meters, with no beams supporting the ceiling, and a height of more than 15 meters. Eight surrounding rooms of different roof heights allow to restore the space above them as a three-dimensional labyrinth with 489 identical doorways connecting passages.
The area of the structure as well as the whole complex is called Bhulbhulaiya. It was designed unintentionally to support the weight of buildings built on swampy ground. As the only maze in India, it is now a popular tourist attraction. Asaf-ud-Daula also built the 18-meter (59-foot) Rumi Darwaza nearby. This richly decorated and richly decorated gateway is the west-facing entrance to Imambara. Bara Imambara is a magnificent building in Lucknow whose design was selected through a competitive process. Kifayatullah, an architect from Delhi, was the winner and was also buried in the main hall of Imambara next to the investor himself.
Whenever you are in Lucknow, be sure to visit this monumental landmark.
Address: Husainabad Trust Rd, Machchi Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226003 (from morning till night)
Entrance fee: Rs 25 for Indians and Rs. Foreigner 500
