I had to attend a marriage at Gonda, and hence I thought I would have a quick stopover at Lucknow as my wife dear was haggling for Chikankari. I arrived at 5.00 PM on 11 Feb. I got a decent hotel at Latouche Road (pronounced La-toosh Road) at Rs.800/- Lucknow is a medium sized city and expanding. The Bara Imambara is worth a visit. Now the catch.
You need a guide for Bhul-bhulaiya. The damages are Rs.150/-. Next stopover is Shahi Hamam where you need another guide. The damages are Rs.50/-. The structures are grand and sight to behold. The ticket for entire complex is Rs.50/- but the places are 2-3 kms away from each other. Each place needs a guide where you will have to shell out Rs.20/- a piece. You feel a little ripped off.
Lucknow seemed a nice city. However, the frequent load-shedding has shorn it off from the prospects of becoming a business megapolis. For chickankari shopping, visit Chowk (that’s the name, chowk) area for best bargains. The ’Famous’ Tunday Kebab hotel is OK. You can give it a miss and not miss much.
At 10.00 PM also, it seems reasonably safe and peaceful for ladies. (However the area was the heart of the city market type) If you want to visit Lucknow, better attach it with Allahabad, Ayodhya and Varanasi circuit as stand alone, it is not much worth seeing.