13 Facts about Chota Imambara Lucknow: Is Chota Imambara in Lucknow worth visiting?

After we visited Bara Imambara Lucknow, our next stop in Lucknow India was Chota Imambara, another gem among the best places to visit in Lucknow city. We were tired after overnight travel and exploring Bara Imambara Lucknow for 3 long hours. Sleep-deprived, all we wanted to do is to crash into the hotel bed and sleep. But out of guilt of not exploring a new city, we decided to take a small detour and visit Chota Imambara Lucknow. Our plan was to wrap up exploring Chota Imambara Lucknow for 10 minutes and go to the hotel. Honestly, I was also a little underwhelmed by pictures of Chota Imambara Lucknow that I came across over the internet. To my surprise, we spent more than an hour exploring Chota Imambara Lucknow. Do you want to know why and how? Well, read up the whole story then.

History of Chota Imambara Lucknow:

Originally known as Imambara Hussainabad Mubarak, Chota Imambara Lucknow was built primarily as an Imambara for Shia Muslims by Muhammad Ali Shah, the 3rd Nawab of Lucknow city in the 18th century. Later, other monuments were built with the time. It houses a royal bath, a tomb, and a treasury along with the Imambara.

13 facts about Chota Imambara Lucknow you should know before visiting:

I got mixed feelings about if I liked exploring Chota Imambara in Lucknow city. Here are 13 facts, some good and some not so good, based on my experience that you show know before visiting Chota Imambara Lucknow.

Fact 1: Convenient Location of Chota Imambara Lucknow

Chota Imambara Lucknow is just 1 KM away from Bada Imambara. You can easily walk or take a rickshaw. We paid just 20 rupees (~ 0.3USD) for both of us in a cycle rickshaw. 

Fact 2: The Imposing Entrance of Chota Imambara Lucknow

We bought a combined ticket which is valid in many famous places in Lucknow city including Chota Imambara. A huge arched gateway welcomed us as soon as we got down from the rickshaw. This is where the royals used to get grand welcomes from the common people. 

Fact 3: The Initial Hiccups

Unlike Bara Imambara there is no ticket office at the entrance of Chota Imambara Lucknow. A guy at the gate made a portable table and a chair as his ticket office. He said, “Camera is not allowed inside”. It was expected as we were not allowed with a camera even inside Bara Imambara Lucknow. We said, “Okay. We will keep the camera in the cloakroom.”. But to our utter shock, there is NO cloakroom. The kind guy offered us to watch over our belongings, but India, especially this part of India, is not known as a place where you can leave your things and expect to find them on your return. We persuaded him to let us carry the camera inside the premises after repeatedly assuring him that we will not use it and it will be inside our bag. 

Just when we thought, we were sorted, he informed us a guide is mandatory to even enter the premises of Chota Imambara Lucknow. Bummer! I personally like exploring a place at my own pace and convenience (which was 10 mins here as per our plan) than a guided tour. 

The guide cost for a couple was just 100 rupees (~ 1.3 USD). It was too nominal to even complain especially when the people from the tourism industry are so badly hit during the pandemic and we all should do our bit for them. So, we paid for the guide without arguing. 

In Bara Imambara Lucknow, there were multiple displays on the rules about a guide at the entrance, ticket office, even on its official website. Surprisingly, I saw none in Chota Imambara Lucknow. I, being a skeptical person, still wonder if there is any such rule. Having said that, I do not regret paying the amount. Our guide told us many interesting stories about Chota Imambara Lucknow.

Fact 4: The Royal Symbol of Oudh Dynasty – A Flying Fish

The first thing that we noticed after entering through the gateway of Chota Imambara Lucknow is a metallic arched structure and a statue of a flying fish. It works two ways. A weathervane and the royal symbol of the Nawab for the display. 

Fact 5: The Landscaped Garden of Chota Imambara Lucknow

Beyond the archway, lies a huge, landscaped garden decorated with water fountains. It is said that the water used to come directly from the Gomti river.

Fact 6: An Architectural Brilliance

Did you notice a statue of an old lady in the garden of Chota Imambara Lucknow holding a metal chain and seemingly trying to break down the highest arch of the main entrance? She is not. The bronze chain is incorporated in the design as an earthing device to protect the arches of the main entrance of Chota Imambara Lucknow during thunderstorms. Isn’t it interesting for that era?

Fact 7: Shahi Hammam – the Royal Bath

Shahi Hamman was constructed for the women of the royal family. Our guide explained how modern facilities like water heaters, water coolers, a drainage system were designed like Turkish Baths. Thousands of candleholders were installed on its exterior wall. During festivals, these candleholders were lit contributing to its earning of the ‘Palace of Light’ title.

Fact 8: A Tomb of Princess

After coming out from the Shahi Hammam, we saw two white identical structures on both sides of the Imambara. The left one was built first. The heartbroken Nawab built a white mausoleum for his beloved daughter. Our guide told us it is called the Taj Mahal of Lucknow city as it was inspired by the original one. While the mausoleum is quite elegant but drawing parallels with the Taj Mahal is too much even for an exaggeration.

Fact 9: The Treasury

On the right of the Imambara, an exact similar structure like the tomb was built to maintain an overall symmetry of the place. It was later converted into the treasury of the Nawabs. 

Fact 10: Chota Imambara Lucknow

When we approached the Imambara, we saw a magnificent white building with intricate work in bright dark blue colors on its exterior wall. As we went closer, we realized that Quranic verses were inscribed on the wall in Arabic calligraphy. The 5 arched doors represent Islamic values. Everything was put together so aesthetically.

It houses the tomb of its creator and many religious artifacts. The whole place is beautifully decorated with hundreds of lanterns, chandeliers gifted by the royal family members. Some of them were imported from Belgium.

Fact 11: Money again?

While inside, one guy approached us who seemed like the caretaker of the place and offered to show us inside the building. We agreed. He explained everything well and we tipped him also. Surprisingly, our guide took leave from the outside of the side of the Imambara but not before taking a tip. The skeptical me could not help but notice the uncanny coincidence of our guide leaving us just outside the building and this guy approaching us.

I would again reiterate the amount was very negligible to even complain. But it might not be for everyone. Also, being stopped for money by different people in different places for the same objective ruins the experience. India has plenty of examples of how wrong the situation can become down few years in line if this kind of incident is not highlighted.

Fact 12: The Palace of Light

In Nawab’s time, at nights, especially during festivals, thousands of candles, chandeliers, lanterns were lit to brighten up the entire complex. Thus, earning Chota Imambara Lucknow the title of Palace of Lights’. You can still see some glimpses of it if you visit during the evening.

Fact 13: Being Offbeat

Though Chota Imambara Lucknow is considered among the best places to visit in Lucknow India, it still cannot beat the enthusiasm of tourists wanting to explore the crypts of Bhool Bhulaiya Lucknow or try out the famous places to eat in Lucknow. These make the experience more authentic and more local. 

There were hardly 6-7 people other than us inside the entire complex when we visited.

Would I recommend visiting Chota Imambara in Lucknow India?

Definitely, yes. I have mixed experiences while visit Chota Imambara in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh. I agree it cannot match the grandness of Bara Imambara Lucknow. But what makes Chota Imambara Lucknow incredible is its rich historical significance and brilliant craftsmanship. So, you much take some time out to explore Chota Imambara in Lucknow city.

Here is everything that you need to know before you visit Chota Imambara Lucknow.

Things to keep in mind before visiting Chota Imambara in Lucknow

Location: here
Chota Imambara Lucknow Timings: 6 am – 5 pm
Chota Imambara Ticket Price: A combined ticket including Bara Imambara, Bhool Bhulaiya, Shahi Baoli, Chota Imambara, Picture Gallery, Shahi Hamam costs 50 INR for Indians, 500 INR (~ 7 USD) for Foreigners
The minimum time required to visit Chota Imambara Lucknow: 2-3 hours
Chota Imambara Lucknow Guide Cost: 100 INR (~ 1.3 USD) for a couple plus tips

How to reach Chota Imambara Lucknow:

Lucknow city is the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh in the northern section of India. It is easily accessible by trains, flights, and roads with the other major cities in India. Once in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh, you can take an auto-rickshaw or cab to reach Chota Imambara Lucknow. If you are new to this part of the world, I would advise you to go through a comprehensive guide for Lucknow city before landing.

I would recommend keeping 2 days in Lucknow Uttar Pradesh to try out all that Lucknow city has to offer. Don’t forget to read 2 days itinerary of Lucknow India with the best places to eat and the best places to visit in Lucknow city.

I would highly recommend visiting its elder cousin, Bara Imambara Lucknow.

Let me know if you would want to visit Chota Imambara Lucknow after knowing these 13 facts.