Lucknow is indeed a beautiful city with a unique Awadhi touch that reflects upon everything right from its architecture, culture, tehzeeb and even parks and gardens. You will find a certain characteristic grandeur attached to most of the parks of the city that serve as apt destinations for excursions.
The evenings of Awadh—as Lucknow was formerly known—have been famous since the times of the Nawabs. The Nawabs recognised the importance of leisure and entertainment as a vital aspect of our lives. An evening spent in a park can be said to be the ideal Shaam-e-Awadh capable of keeping the monotony away and infusing a sense of renewed energy.
Lucknow has number of big picturesque parks that are ideal for a daytrip with family and for evening jaunts as well. In fact, the city of Nawabs is also known as “Bagho’n ka shehar” meaning the city of gardens. Lucknow city lives up to its reputation of being a place where you will find grand, lavish and lush green parks , which have now become the favoured destination for family excursions.
The various parks of Lucknow are as follows.
Dr.Ram Manohar Lohia Park
Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Park is a lavish and lush green park, spread over a massive area of approximately 82 acres, in Gomti Nagar area of the Lucknow city. The park is grand and was built to pay homage to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia, who was a philosopher and an active socialist. It is a delight for both the visitors and joggers. The park is well equipped and has a concrete jogging track for ease in jogging. It has benches fixed every few meters for the elderly to take rest in between their walks. It also has an artificial lake, covering an area of 15000 sq. meters. It has beautiful flowers, plants and trees planted along with the lush green grass to make it look beautiful. There are swings for children to enjoy while the elders take a refreshing stroll in the park.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal
It is one of the most grand and lavish memorials constructed, in the memory of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar that has made the city all the more beautiful. It is a tribute to the glory of Bhimrao Ambedkar, Kanshi Ram, Shahuji Maharaj, Narayan Guru, Phule and others who worked for humanity, social justice and equality.
It is situated in Gomti Nagar and its main attractions are as follows: Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sangralaya, Drashya Sthal, Samajik Parivartan Gallery, Pratibimb Sthal, Gautam Buddha Sthal, Parivartan Stambh, bronze fountains, and gallery of elephant statues along with beautiful lights that are lit in the evenings. It is a must visit park if you happen to visit Lucknow city.
Manyawar KanshiRam Memorial
Another lavish and magnificent memorial in Lucknow city is the Manyawar Kanshiram Memorial, located on the VIP road. It covers an area of approximately 86 acres. It is considered to be the symbol of Dalit empowerment and equalility of people of all castes. The memorial has bronze statues, murals, galleries, 52 feet high bronze fountains, granite columns, memorial inscriptions and massive gardens along with the main building having a magnificent dome.
Manyawar Shri Kanshiram Ji Green (Eco) Garden
This is another majestic park with magnificent structures, bronze statues of animals, fountains and much more. Adjacent to the Manyawar Kanshiram Memorial, the 112 acre park is a delight for visitors along with showcase of biodiversity in the form of bronze statue of animals and trees. The park has Green Houses having a variety of more than 12000 plants of German origin, which stay in full bloom throughout the year. You can see bronze statues of 25 types of animals such as tigers, elephants, giraffes, dinosaurs and many others. It has bronze fountains in the lawns, and an attractive lighting that makes the beautiful ambience worth enjoying.
Begum Hazrat Mahal Park
Located in the heart of the city, Begum Hazrat Mahal Park is another beautiful garden with greenery in abundance. It was previously used for conducting Dussehra festivities and Lucknow Mahotsav. Now, it is a lush green park with flowers and fountains with lights in the evening, serving as a favoured destination for joggers and families out for evening walks.
Shaheed Smarak
Located on the banks of river Gomti, Shaheed Smarak is one of the most visited destinations also because of its centralised location. It was constructed to pay homage to all the brave soldiers who fought for the cause of free India and participated in the mutiny of 1857. It is a place full of picturesque ambience with the lush greenery pairing with the beautiful site of river Gomti.
Buddha Park
One of the most visited parks of Lucknow is the Buddha Park that has wide range of entertainment options for your entire family.It is located opposite to the Scientific Convention Centre and is near the Daliganj Bridge. Buddha Park has number of swings and slides for children to enjoy and a boat ride for family entertainment. It has a big statue of Lord Buddha and has variety of beautiful flowers and greenery all around.
Dr. Ambedkar Gomti Park with Musical Fountain
Another favourite park of Lucknowites is the Dr. Ambedkar Gomti Park, which is located in Gomti Nagar. The highlight of the park is the show of Musical Fountain organised in the evening with colourful fountains adding to the viewer’s amusement.
Jyotiba Phule Zonal Park
Located in the Kanpur Road Housing Scheme, Sector D-1, the Jyotiba Phule Zonal Park is another beautiful park for a fun filled outing with family. It is preferred spot for joggers as well. It has ponds, fountains, greenery, and covered huts for rest, pathways and benches to sit and relax.
Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar Gomti Buddha Vihar
Situated near Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sthal in Gomti Nagar, the park covers an area of 7.5 acres. It has a huge 18 feet tall statue of Gautam Buddha which is the major highlight of the park.
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Gomti Vihar
Situated near Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Parivartan Sthal, the park is spread over an area of 90 acres. It has four adjacent parks and is an ideal place for outings and jogging.
Buddha Vihar Shanti Upvan
Situated on the VIP road, the Buddha Vihar Shanti Upvan is a beautiful park with great architecture and grandeur. The structures are built with sand stone and tall pillars. It also houses a library, meditation hall, four-faceted sculptures Bhikshu Niwas and International Buddha Shodh Sansthaan. It is spread over an area of 32.5 acres approximately.
Swarna Jayanti Smriti Vihar Park
Located in Indira Nagar, near Ring Road, it is the favourite park of joggers. In fact, it is considered as one of the best places for morning walk, in terms of the suggested exercising tutorial boards they have every few meters, for healthy walks along with the exercises to keep active. It also has swings for children to enjoy.
Haathi Park
Situated next to Buddha Park is the Haathi Park. It is a small park but is full of greenery and is a good destination for a peaceful family trip. It derives its name from the big elephant shaped stone structure that stands in the middle of the park. The mammoth concrete elephant has a small staircase in the hollow of its big belly for kids to reach up the trunk and slide down from the trunk back to the ground. The one of its kind swing is a favourite with the kids.
River Retreat (Nadiya Kinare)
It is located near the Laxman Mela Ground and overlooks the banks of river Gomti. It is a serene place with beauty in terms of greenery all around. It has swings for children, a boating club and a cafeteria as well.
Nimbu Park
Nimbu Park is located in the old Lucknow city. It is a big park with trees, flowers and greenery all around. It is situated near the famed Rumi Gate and Bhool Bhulaiya, the prominent destinations for tourists both from India and abroad.
Lucknow is a beautiful city and all these parks add to the beauty of the city that is different from the hustle and bustle of the metros in its own unique ways. These parks serve the double purpose of being good spots for excursions as well as apt places for morning and evening joggers. Do visit the parks for relaxed and happy outings with the family.
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