A hangout with history at Imambara, with friends.

This is a poetic travelogue of my visit to Lucknow's Imambara, the majestic monument which has lived history.

In the course of the City of Nawabs- Lucknow, stands out the Asafi Bada Imambara.

me, Preeti and Sandesh planned to visit this mosque built by Asaf-ud-Daula.

Now Sandy is a dentist and Preeto is my perk.

Love Preeti’s laugh and Sandesh’s smile, without them feel like a jerk.

The calendar read 12^th January, 2012. 

It was a cold afternoon but the Sun dearly dwelled. 

Wrapped in a jacket, I rolled a muffler, 

I was anxious and in awe, just like a naïve juggler.

I did not share the idea with my family,

as they would never nod to sudden traveling.

I believe it is never wrong to keep secrets.

We should enjoy and explore young days without later regrets.

This way we build our own world brick by brick.

Adding experiences and knowledge through tricks and thrills.

Now besides River Gomti, meandered with traffic,

as wide as one’s winning pride, stretches the Daliganj Crossing.

I reached there to join Sandy.

We zoomed through the congested wheels, I was fidgety.

As we neared the Old Chauraha,I could feel the grace and glory of something very imposing, 
my heart kept pressing and pounding.

We reached the clay colored frenzied entrance of Imambara.

The 18^th century mosque welcomed us with its infinite aura.

As we stepped in the front goodly garden, waiting for Preeti,

A sense of belonging poured in the fountain of history we were to float on.

Me and  Sandesh strolled round the garden, amused.

We both seem cornered by our shyness and confused.

Until Preeti reached to join,

We were mistaken as a couple by reluctant locals.

It is common in Lucknow to get galvanized glare,

Even if one simply hugs a friend as farewell, they can feel public’s flare.

Finally our funny Preeti arrived.

A sigh of relief and the excitement was revived.

We posed for the camera, falling on each other, laughing.

We captured the bliss of being together and touring.

We passed the gateway through a passage,

clustered with antiques shops full of toys, carved silver packages.

It is like a mini market in the midst of historical walls.

We gaped at the items with delight, costly but irresistible for all.

We walked slowly through the main garden, smiling.

The Sun was zealously shining, and people were relaxing.

The garden was lush green, clean and wide.

We had to submit our shoes to my surprise.

Then Sandesh bought pass for Asfi mosque and Labyrinth.

He is always generous in his grit.

To our left was the Bouli, it is a step well of running water.

We stepped in the grace of the Bada Imambara and it made us ponder.

During 1783, the Nawab decided to help the poor devastated by famine.

So the workers build the mosque during noon, as daily earning.

At night elite men were called to breakdown all structure raised.

This way he provided employment and gave “Food for Work” aid.

It is a major project that did not ape any design of European walls.

There is no use of iron and is fifty by sixteen meters wide, fifteen meters tall.

The chambers have no beams supporting the ceiling. 
It is one of the largest arched constructions in the world’s buildings.

The Labyrinth or Bhulbhulayah is the only existing maze in India.

It unintentionally supports the weight of the building area.

We saw the chambers had a unique design.

The China Hall is square at ground level, becomes octagonal at mid-height.

It is 16 sided at the top and then we observed in astonishment,

that the dome of India Hall has been fashioned like a watermelon.

Sandy torched matchsticks, whispered words from left corner of the hall.
We girls were grilled to hear the sound echo from other end, enthralled.

We reached first floor of the Labyrnith.

Then like rabbits burrowing, we stooped to pass through low ceilings.

This three dimensional Labyrinth has four hundred eighty nine interconnected doorways.

They are identical so to get out it is tough, tiresome, a talent to find a way.

There is darkness dominant, at times haunting and creating hysteria.

That is the stirring symbol to check one’s calm.

In the ally of the doorways, it is crucial to make a choice.

Through the windows we could hear the Old Lucknow’s voice.

Deep inside I could imbibe the compassion and bravery,

of great men, there intelligence and dignity.

The Labyrinth is dead dark, my friends’ voice worked as a guiding sight.

Once, I even tripped but their hands helped me upright.

The blend of light and shade made us laugh and scream.

I felt the thick walls and the floor closely to remember it in my dream.

We ate “Gulgule”, groundnuts and guava and roamed.

Then we sat on the roof of one of the many beautiful domes.

Sandy wrote a poem for our fantastic friendship build up.

Amidst the historic walls, echoed his affections, all pent up.

At times in the maze we convulsed and quivered out of fear.

But ultimately cruised through the caving walls, to the top stairs.

The view of Old Lucknow through the domes is enticing.

The enjoyment with my dears was engrossing.

I breathed freedom, and a flow of bliss gushed.

Finally it was time for us to leave, so we rushed.

I lived that day profoundly in the Imambara’s charm.

The memory is like a raindrop that trickles down my palm.

It is all by Preeto’s and Sandy’s love of friendship and art,                          

That I could contain all the moments in my heart.

Both have taught me a lesson of life,

to live every moment enthusiastically and to celebrate the strife.

Such a feeling of visitng Imambara cannot be lent.

Will always cherish…

A hangout with history at Imambara, with friends.

-By Vishakha Sen