Bara Imambara, the gravity-defying palace

Monuments in India are crafted with magic. Visiting a magical structure with a rich history is quite common. India is ruled by history, and you can see stories in practically every heritage site there. One such monument with a rich history and magical phenomena is Bara Imambara, which is famous for defying the laws of gravity.

bada imambara, the gravity efying place in Lucknow, Image source- NativePlanet

Lucknow, a city ruled by many rulers, from the Mughals to the Nawabs of Awadh, has given India a number of attractions. Popular for its culture and traditions, this city of Nawabs is also a crowd puller. One of the most popular attractions in Lucknow is the Bara Imambara, or a gravity-defying place.

The history of the place traces back to the 18th century, when Asaf-ud-Daula, the Nawab of Awadh, started its construction. With exceptional architectural skills, this erected monument was a perfect blend of Arabic and European architecture.

The name Bada Imambara, which translates to "a large shrine," accurately describes the location. The building includes a large hall, which was named after the king Asaf as the Asfi Mosque. The Bhool-Bhulaiya is the palace's second intriguing location, followed by the Baoli (stepwell).

It is one of those architectural wonders that seems no less than magic. The 50 m long and three-story central hall stands without any support or pillar, contrasting with the law of gravity. Also, there are thought to be around 1024 ways to get to the terrace, but only one way to get back to the gate.

The beginning of the palace's construction is thought to have occurred in 1785. A devastating famine struck Awadh, making it a tough time for the region. Severe drought and a serious food crisis gripped the area. The king then gave the order to build this palace to employ his people during the famine.

As a part of famine relief, the king announced that the ones who contributed their labor in the construction would get food as wages. Even though the scheme was brilliant, the noble class found it difficult to work as they were not used to it. The king thus issued another declaration, saying that the nobility would visit the location at night and partially demolish what had been constructed. They would get their share of food by destroying the buildings. With this, he also ensured that the labor class would get continuous work throughout the famine.

The palace is said to have been built by more than 20,000 people. Another legend has it that to hide their methods and appearances from onlookers, the courtiers, and architects built this palace at night while daytime laborers worked on the site.

Kifayatullah, a native of Delhi, is credited with being the main architect who designed the structure. He, along with other people, worked on the construction for about 11 years and fought the famine for about a decade.

Even though the Bara Imambara's remarkable architecture has been the subject of voluminous writing, nothing can put the brilliance of the central hall's roof into words. The enormous roof stands with zero support, which looks no less than a miracle. According to a common legend, Kifayatullah placed a cot underneath the roof and ordered that all frames be removed one week before the building's official opening. Everything went according to plan, and Kifayatullah came out on top. Experts claim that the weight has been distributed evenly across the arches.

According to reports, the palace has the most closed tunnels that, strangely, link to several significant towns, including Allahabad, Delhi, and Faizabad. However, as a result of numerous tourists going missing while investigating the tunnels, these passageways were eventually sealed off. You can undoubtedly arrange a trip here in a lovely climate and can explore the whole area with ease.

The fascinating Bhool Bhulaiya at Bada Imamabara, Image source - The wanderer