[ Lucknow photo ]
Lucknow
Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh, carries the refined grace of the Awadh kingdom. The Bara Imambara with its extraordinary maze-like Bhulbhulaiya, the Rumi Darwaza, and the ruins of the British Residency tell a story of a court famed for its etiquette, music, and poetry. Lucknow is equally known for its cuisine — kebabs, biryani, and the world's most elaborate form of hand-embroidery, chikankari.