Posted 25 January 2023 in Travel Wanderlust

Best places for photography in Lucknow

Visit the city of Lucknow to know what gracious living and chivalry are. Known as the city of Nawabs, Lucknow is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. Boasting its grand monuments and popular cuisine, the city is a perfect place to escape the monotony of modern life. Great Nawabs of Awadh made Lucknow its home once. People also come to Lucknow for its food. The city's trademark cuisine is Mughlai. Great Mughal rulers ruled this city and this cuisine can be viewed as a souvenir from that era. Famed for its food and culture, this prominent metropolitan is the second-largest city in east, north and central India. The marvellous architecture of its building, beautiful gardens and different hues of the colour of this city make it one of the best places for photography.

Some of the places for photography in Lucknow are:

1. Bara Imambara

Bara Imambara means assembly hall. The structure is one of the popular tourist attractions in Lucknow. The architecture of the structure is impressive as the 15-metre high main hall of Bara Imambara has no beam to support its ceiling. This architectural accomplishment draws many tourists from across the country. Its splendour architecture will make for a perfect shot. Your camera would love to photograph it.

Timings: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry ticket: INR 50 per person

2. Clock Tower

Clock Tower was built in the 19th century and is inspired by London’s Big Ben. Being one of the major tourist attractions in Lucknow, Clock Tower is visible from Bara Imambara. Also, the Clock Tower is the tallest of all the Clock Towers in the country. Designed by Richard Roskell Bayne, the structure is 67-metre high. The architecture of the Clock Tower depicts Gothic and Victorian style. Capture this exemplary architecture in your camera.

Timings and entry ticket: It is always open and is free of cost.

3. British Residency

The British Residency is a reminder of India's first revolt for independence against the British, the 1857 Indian Mutiny. The main building of the Residency has been turned into a museum and houses lithographs, original photographs and paintings related to the revolt. Tourists can also find revolvers, terracotta figurines and cannonballs.

Timing: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entry ticket: INR 20 per person

4. Rumi Darwaza

An architectural marvel and a perfect example of Awadhi architecture, Rumi Darwaza was built in 1784 by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. It is one of the most picturesque and prominent landmarks of Lucknow. Rumi Darwaza looks more beautiful at night. The lights highlight the beauty of this structure at night. Bring your best lens if you want to photograph this beauty at night. The monument shows off its intricately carved dome, patterns and designs. Tourists might also find a similarity between Rumi Darwaza and the gateway of Constantinople because of its architecture.

Timings and entry ticket: There is no timing and no entry ticket for witnessing this architectural marvel.

5. Dilkusha Kothi

It is not a Kothi but the remains of an 18th century-built house. The architecture of the house was in the English Baroque style. Situated in the Lucknow cantonment, there are lawns available in front of the house that make for a good photograph. While the place is not a major tourist attraction in Lucknow, it is one of the favourites among the photographers.

Timings and entry ticket: The Park is open 24 hours and entry is free for everyone.

6. Lohia Park

Photographs taken amidst the greenery in natural light are always better than the photos taken indoors. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Park is situated in the heart of Lucknow and makes for a good place for photography. Spanning over an area of 80 acres, the Ram Manohar Lohia Park is popular for its lush green scenic view. If that is not enough, there is a pond with ducks in the park. What else do you need more for a good photo?

Timings: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Entry ticket: INR 5 per person

7. Ambedkar Memorial Park

Ambedkar Memorial Park is a public park and memorial dedicated to B. R. Ambedkar. The park is massive and has 124 monumental elephants that majestically enhance the quality of your photographs. Situated in the Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow, the park is one of the favourite spots for photographers. Winter has the perfect weather for a really nice picture.

Timings: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Entry ticket: INR 20 per person

8. Janeshwar Mishra Park

Located in the Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow, this park is one of the favoured locations for pre-wedding photoshoots. The park has lakes, walkways and eating joints that give photographers different backdrops and angles for photoshoots at the same location. The green scenic view and natural light make your picture more attractive.

Timings: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Entry ticket: Free

9. Kudia Ghaat

If you want to represent Nawabi culture in your photographs, visit this place for a photoshoot. It is located in front of the Gomti River in Lucknow. There are photographers available at the place or you can book in advance. Have a pre-wedding photoshoot here or just a normal one and the impressive pictures will not disappoint you. Sunsets and sunrise are the best time to have a photoshoot at Kudiya Ghaat.

Timings: Open for all day and night
Entry ticket: Free

10. Sikandar Bagh

Sikandar Bagh is a garden in the heart of Lucknow built by the Nawab of Oudh Wajid Ali Shah. It was built by the Nawab in memory of his wife Queen Sikandar Mahal. Since then, the garden has been a symbol of love. People come for romantic photoshoots in the garden. Sikandar Bagh is also famous for being one of the best locations for pre-wedding photoshoots. The greenery with a hint of royalty adds charm to the pictures.

Timings: 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Entry ticket: Free

11. Chattar Manzil

The architecture of the structure is in European style. Also called the Umbrella Palace in Lucknow, Chattar Manzil is one of the best locations in the city for photoshoots. It was once home to the rulers of Awadh and their wives.

Its dome is in the shape of an umbrella and people love to get clicked under it for a perfect picture. Tourists love its architectural beauty.

Timings: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. except on Saturdays and Sundays
Entry ticket: Free

Travel tips

Prefer booking hotels near tourists places so save travelling time.
Research beforehand about the weather during the time of your photoshoot.
It is better to choose the clothes for your photoshoot according to the weather in the city.
Indian ethnic wear is the most preferred option for photoshoots around monuments in Lucknow.
Due to Coronavirus, most of the monuments may be closed at the time of your visit. So, it is advised to call the authorities before visiting any place.
While the monuments are naturally beautiful, you can get some of the perfect shots during a particular time of the day or night. So, keep some buffer time in advance.

How to reach?

By air: Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is a public airport that serves the city of Lucknow. The airport operates several domestic and international flights on a daily basis. The airport is conveniently connected to major cities of the state and the country. IndiGo operates over 150 direct weekly flights to Lucknow. Some of the IndiGo flight routes from Lucknow are Lucknow to New Delhi, Lucknow to Mumbai, Lucknow to Amritsar and Lucknow to Chennai.
By rail: There are two main railway stations that serve the city of Lucknow namely Lucknow Junction Railway Station and Lucknow Charbagh Railway Station. There are several trains like Howrah-Jaisalmer Superfast Express and Lucknow Rajdhani Express that ply from and to Lucknow connecting the city with major cities of India. The railway station connects Lucknow to all the major destinations of India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Gwalior and others. There are regular trains to and from these locations.
By road: With regular government and private buses, Lucknow is well-connected to the neighbouring states. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation provides a vast network of inter-state buses for travellers. Buses are available regularly at short intervals. It is one of the cheapest modes of transportation. For getting around the city, opt for cycle-rickshaws, taxis, auto and cabs.

Best time to visit

The ideal time to travel to Lucknow is from September to March. During winters, the weather is pleasant and enjoyable. Tourists generally avoid the summer season due to its scorching heat waves and humidity. June is the hottest month of the year.

Climate/Temperature

Lucknow enjoys a humid subtropical climate with dry and cool winters and dry and hot summers. The city is really hot during the summers and is really cold during winters. Temperatures in the summer season go up to 42°C.

Conclusion

Lucknow is a must-visit place not just for photography but for experiencing royalty. Explore the city – its Awadhi and Mughlai cuisine and impressive monuments. Lucknow’s culture and heritage are worth exploring. Take out a few days from your monotonous routine and know about the Nawabs of Lucknow while touring around the city.