Bara Imambara
Bara Imambara
4.5
Architectural BuildingsMonuments & Statues
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Top ways to experience Bara Imambara
See what travellers are saying
  • Jafar Rizvi
    Lucknow, India11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Timeless Grandeur: A Journey Through Bara Imambara
    Stepping into the Bara Imambara felt like entering a realm frozen in time. The grandeur of its architecture left me awestruck, as intricate designs adorned every corner. As I wandered through the labyrinthine Bhul Bhulaiya, echoes of centuries-old whispers seemed to linger in the air, adding to the mystique of this magnificent structure. The sheer scale of the Imambara's halls and courtyards left me humbled, evoking a sense of reverence for the artisans who crafted this marvel. From its imposing Rumi Darwaza to the serene calm of the Asafi Masjid, every element spoke volumes of Lucknow's rich heritage and cultural legacy. A visit to the Bara Imambara is not just a journey through history, but a soul-stirring experience that resonates long after you've left its hallowed halls.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 26 March 2024
  • James c
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma383 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Grandeur
    The grandeur of this complex was mind blowing,the architecture alone. As soon as you enter you are greeted by how grand the buildings are, called bara which means big and imanbara which is used for a shrine for shia Muslims, this was my first experience with this denomination of Islam. The gardens alone at first are abundant , the asfi mosque to the right and you enter Into the shrine, the inside hall is sea green in color with hanging colored lamps, then you go upto the second floor which looks down upon the shrine/meeting area and then you become amazed by the pinkish colored tunnels which my guide stated goes on for possible miles! It is something unexpectedly to see. The top floor overlooks the city of lucknow and surrounding complex. I spent 3 hours here and could have remained longer. This place is one of the grandest and best examples of Islamic architecture i have ever experienced and also one of the best monuments in india in my opinion
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 14 May 2024
  • Sayondeep C
    Kolkata (Calcutta), India28 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A Great Engineering Feat
    An exquisite engineering feat, the Bada Imambara is a must visit structure in Lucknow. Built to give employment during famine, the Imambara's exquisite architecture is only overshadowed by the extremely erroneous stories narrated by the guide's who help stories visit this place. Particularly the experience of the Bhool Bhulaiya of the complex is ruined by the guides. Also the place is littered with packets and bottles.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 19 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

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4.5 of 5 bubbles1,534 reviews
Excellent
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K72
Melbourne, Australia3,075 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
The buildings in this complex are interesting in design. The great assembly hall is a large hall unsupported by any pillars. Take the steps up and explore the labyrinth and see how this architectural feat was achieved. The surrounding area is also very interesting with lovely buildings and gateways. It's a very pretty area.
Entrance was 500rupees and you must have a guide.
Shoes off to explore. The mosque was only open for pryaers, not visitors.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

debarshid73
Kolkata (Calcutta), India382 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Family
Architectural marvel. It is a must visit place while you are in Lucknow.
Guide is must while you are in Imambara. Bag pack is not allowed inside Imambara and that need to be deposited @Rs.20, videography is also prohibited. It is really interesting to know the story behind this great architecture and that is really amazing.
Written 30 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NLinNZ
8 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
We stopped off to have a quick visit and I am very glad we did. At first it didnt feel very nice. Lots of beggars, needed cash for tickets which we didnt have, didnt see any women at first and the men were staring.
When we decided to leave the guide came up and started showing us the labyrinth and the history and it became really interesting and felt safe.
I normally dont use guides but in this case I really recommend to understand the history of the place and to get out of the labyrinth!
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SVAYAMBHU C
Kolkata (Calcutta), India15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
Our Savaari cab took us next to Bara Imambara complex. We had about an hour of sunlight left and the sound decision that we took was to complete Bara Imambara and not do the others and try to come back to it. Bara Imambara was quite something with its large halls without any pillars. Our private guide was knowledgeable and gave us the right context. The Bhulbhulaiya or The Labarynth is one of the most intricate man-made creations I have seen. We walked through pitch dark corridors and reached junction points made up of four roads of which only one was right. There were different groups in the maze and we were able to come out only because we had the services of a guide. The bawli or step well was awe inspiring and hats off to the engenuity of the builders of that era.
Written 29 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AnupamSharan
New Delhi, India30 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021
The Bhool Bhulaiya inside Bara Imam Bara was actually not built to be a labyrinth. They are the supporting pillars, walls and beams in the 2nd floor of Imam bara through which once can walk as they are big. However, too straight and simple to get lost.
Written 26 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sarika
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019 • Family
I went to Imambara with my family. It was truly amazing to explore it. The guide we hired explained us stories and beliefs behind the architecture and artefacts present in the Imambara. It had a hallway where one can hear whisperings so loud and clear regardless of the long distance present in between the source of sound and the listener. The labyrinth present was cool to explore and without a guide one can surely get lost. It also had a stepping well and one can see the person's reflection in the well, who is standing outside of the gate from inside. Overall its a nice place to explore on a fine day. Also the monument is aesthetically pleasing as the architecture is remarkable.
Written 19 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Madhukar Varma
Lucknow, India7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
A historical place the imambara has a mosque the stairs of which mesmerizes you the corner of the stairs form a pyramidal structure which at first site is difficult to unravel . The main structure has a big hall which has no support in the middle stretch . the alleys in one part are so formed that a person may loose his way , this is known as Bhulbhulaiya literally meaning confusing. There is a waterbody too and it is believed that if you loose your way you may get trapped in the waterbody .The Imambara was built by Nawad Asifudaulah to feed his subjects by engaging them in construction at the time of a severe famine.
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Akshay Sharma
New Delhi, India11,054 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022
This is one of the prime historical areas of Lucknow and one has to see it to believe it. The technology used to built the huge dome with unsupported pillars, the Labyrinth (Bhul Bhulaiyan) are worth the admiration.
One needs a guide to visit this place and charges are other than the entry ticket.
Written 19 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sayondeep C
Kolkata (Calcutta), India28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Family
An exquisite engineering feat, the Bada Imambara is a must visit structure in Lucknow. Built to give employment during famine, the Imambara's exquisite architecture is only overshadowed by the extremely erroneous stories narrated by the guide's who help stories visit this place. Particularly the experience of the Bhool Bhulaiya of the complex is ruined by the guides. Also the place is littered with packets and bottles.
Written 20 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

James c
Oklahoma City, OK383 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 • Solo
The grandeur of this complex was mind blowing,the architecture alone. As soon as you enter you are greeted by how grand the buildings are, called bara which means big and imanbara which is used for a shrine for shia Muslims, this was my first experience with this denomination of Islam. The gardens alone at first are abundant , the asfi mosque to the right and you enter Into the shrine, the inside hall is sea green in color with hanging colored lamps, then you go upto the second floor which looks down upon the shrine/meeting area and then you become amazed by the pinkish colored tunnels which my guide stated goes on for possible miles! It is something unexpectedly to see. The top floor overlooks the city of lucknow and surrounding complex. I spent 3 hours here and could have remained longer. This place is one of the grandest and best examples of Islamic architecture i have ever experienced and also one of the best monuments in india in my opinion
Written 15 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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BARA IMAMBARA (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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