It would not be an exaggeration to say for the first time visitors Lucknow is an assault to the senses. Gritty grimy and supremely chaotic the initial few hours will be akin to sucker punch to the solar plexus. A general sense of bedlam is the leitmotif of the city. But, the history is terrific and presents a fine dine variety of mughal art. The humane presence is a wondrous cheek by jowl with the city s growing vertiginous glass fronted high rises. A fruit vendor affectionately slips in an extra juicy elaichi banana to take your number to baker's dozen. It also helps that the city is packed with a cornucopia of things to do and see. Experience that you simply must indulge before bidding adiós