5 reasons why Lucknow's Bhool Bhulaiya is a must-visit maze
Can you believe there are movies based on the name of this maze in Lucknow! Yes, Bhool Bhulaiya, famous as Bada Imambara, is the cultural heart of Uttar Pradesh and is as mysterious as it gets.
The attraction is noted for its rich history, and architectural wonders. Among its many attractions, this mysterious labyrinth stands out.
On this note, let's have a look at five fascinating facts about this enigmatic maze that continue to captivate visitors and historians alike.
Architectural brilliance of the bygone era
Bhool Bhulaiya is not just beautiful but also holds immense significance. The fort, built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784, was designed by architect Kifayatullah.
He was the one to create a labyrinth that served both practical and strategic purposes. The maze features several corridors and staircases which are designed to confuse people. It still remains one of the most mysterious mysteries.
Confusing mysterious maze
Though popularly called a Bhool Bhuliya, it is not merely a confusing path. It also works as a ventilation system and a cooling mechanism. The design of the building is such that even during peak summers, the inside of the structure remains naturally cool.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Hidden passages
Another intriguing thing about this place is the presence of several hidden passages and secret doors. These passages reportedly allowed Nawab's guards and residents to move unseen within the complex or escape during emergencies. Although many of these secret routes are now closed to visitors for safety reasons, local legends and some historical texts mention their existence, adding an aura of mystery and adventure to the site.
A challenge for tourists
Exploring Bhool Bhulaiya is a popular challenge among tourists visiting Lucknow. Despite the presence of guides, many visitors find themselves momentarily lost or confused while exploring the maze. The thrill of finding the right path adds to the charm of the visit.
Cultural significance
Bhool Bhulaiya is not just a tourist attraction or any maze but the place also holds immense spiritual significance. The Bara Imambara was built to commemorate Imam Hussain. The labyrinth is thought to symbolize the complexities of life and the journey toward enlightenment, where one must navigate through confusion and obstacles to reach clarity.
Today, Bhool Bhulaiya attracts curious travellers from across the globe offering a unique glimpse into the grandeur of Lucknow's history.
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Calm turns to confusion as AI crash shakes flyers at SVPI airport in Ahmedabad
1 2 3 Ahmedabad: Less than an hour after an Air India flight crashed on Thursday afternoon, the phones of passengers and airline staff at the Ahmedabad airport started pinging incessantly. Their WhatsApp accounts were flooded with a video of the Dreamliner slowly descending against the Ahmedabad skyline and bursting into a fireball. Just minutes ago, many of them had learned of the crash through frantic calls from family and friends. Still, the crowd remained largely composed — until the video surfaced. Soon, a visible shift swept the terminal. A sense of urgency and agitation set in. Anxious passengers flooded airline counters, seeking cancellations or rescheduling. By then, the flight information display screens started flashing the 'delayed' sign. "I'm not flying now," said a passenger booked on a Delhi-bound flight, who seemed visibly shaken after seeing the video clip. "I just don't have the courage to sit in an aircraft now. Maybe I'll fly in a couple of days." Not everyone backed out. "I have my senior citizen parents with me," said a woman from Kolkata, looking to go home. "We'll take the next available flight," she insisted, as she pressed airline staff to rearrange her booking the same evening. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Вот что поза во сне говорит о вашем характере! Удивительные Новости Undo Amid rising uncertainty, questions flew faster than answers: When would flights resume? What about connecting flights from other cities? Would cancellation lead to a full refund? Airline and airport staff tried to respond even as their own phones buzzed with the same haunting footage. The confusion was palpable, especially among the senior citizens who were travelling alone and had little experience of flying. Unable to push his way past the swarms to reach the counters, one such passenger stopped strangers and said, "I have a connecting flight to Tirupati from Hyderabad. Can someone tell me what to do next?" Immediately, a small group of youngsters helped him access a counter. However, for all the uncertainty that abounded, tempers did not fly, and most passengers held their nerve. They seemed to understand that they were standing not far from a tragedy that could only be dealt with sobriety. They lined up at the exits to fill out the 'Pax Offloaded Register' even as airline staff stood next to them, staring in disbelief at the fireball video in a loop. By late evening, flight operations resumed, and a semblance of normalcy returned. Ahmedabad: Less than an hour after an Air India flight crashed on Thursday afternoon, the phones of passengers and airline staff at the Ahmedabad airport started pinging incessantly. Their WhatsApp accounts were flooded with a video of the Dreamliner slowly descending against the Ahmedabad skyline and bursting into a fireball. Just minutes ago, many of them had learned of the crash through frantic calls from family and friends. Still, the crowd remained largely composed — until the video surfaced. Soon, a visible shift swept the terminal. A sense of urgency and agitation set in. Anxious passengers flooded airline counters, seeking cancellations or rescheduling. By then, the flight information display screens started flashing the 'delayed' sign. "I'm not flying now," said a passenger booked on a Delhi-bound flight, who seemed visibly shaken after seeing the video clip. "I just don't have the courage to sit in an aircraft now. Maybe I'll fly in a couple of days." Not everyone backed out. "I have my senior citizen parents with me," said a woman from Kolkata, looking to go home. "We'll take the next available flight," she insisted, as she pressed airline staff to rearrange her booking the same evening. Amid rising uncertainty, questions flew faster than answers: When would flights resume? What about connecting flights from other cities? Would cancellation lead to a full refund? Airline and airport staff tried to respond even as their own phones buzzed with the same haunting footage. The confusion was palpable, especially among the senior citizens who were travelling alone and had little experience of flying. Unable to push his way past the swarms to reach the counters, one such passenger stopped strangers and said, "I have a connecting flight to Tirupati from Hyderabad. Can someone tell me what to do next?" Immediately, a small group of youngsters helped him access a counter. However, for all the uncertainty that abounded, tempers did not fly, and most passengers held their nerve. They seemed to understand that they were standing not far from a tragedy that could only be dealt with sobriety. They lined up at the exits to fill out the 'Pax Offloaded Register' even as airline staff stood next to them, staring in disbelief at the fireball video in a loop. By late evening, flight operations resumed, and a semblance of normalcy returned. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Kerala Tourism website: India's most visited travel portal
T'puram: The Kerala Tourism website received the highest number of visitors compared to websites of other state tourism departments in 2024-25. This surpasses the visitors to Union govt's Incredible India website. Additionally, is ranked second among travel and tourism sites in the global rankings. The site also secured second place in the category of the tourism industry. Thailand tourism emerged first in all three global rankings, while Vietnam, Incredible India and Indonesia occupy the third, fourth and fifth positions, respectively. According to Google analysis, six million users made 7.9 million visits to the Kerala Tourism website during 2024-25. Together, they viewed more than 15 million web pages. Tourism minister P A Mohamed Riyas stated that the website's achievement underscored Kerala's recognition as a global tourism destination. "Such is our acceptance among tourists," he noted. "On recognizing the importance of digital promotion in tourism development, Kerala Tourism is implementing innovative projects and products by catering to the changing tastes of travellers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Launch Offer – SPR Gurgaon Homes Signature Global Book Now Undo The attractively designed website provides comprehensive information about tourism activities in the state," he added. Around 5.8 million customers reached the Kerala Tourism site through search. More than one million people accessed the site by typing while nearly one million visitors arrived through advertisements. Apart from the home page, many visit pages such as accommodation facilities, tourist destinations, tour packages, heli-tourism, wedding destinations, festival calendar, Theyyam calendar and yoga. The website which has over 1,00,000 pages, is designed and maintained by Invis Private Ltd, the official IT solution partner of Kerala Tourism. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Stories end: Happy send-offs for family reunions turn into teary farewells
1 2 3 4 Ahmedabad: Among the lives lost in the tragic crash on Thursday were members of one of Ahmedabad's well-known families — the Nandas, owners of Cargo Motors. Pramukh Nanda, his wife Neha and their son Prayas had boarded the flight to London, where Prayas was set to begin his higher education. Sameer Naik, a close family friend, rushed to Civil Hospital upon hearing of the crash, desperately seeking information about the Nandas. "There was no clear update on their whereabouts or condition," Naik said, visibly shaken. "I'm praying for their safety. I've been trying to reach the authorities to find out which ward they might be in, but we still don't know if they've survived." Like the Nandas, the aircraft carried passengers who were looking forward to new beginnings. But fate had other plans. Within minutes into the crash, ambulances began arriving in quick succession at the trauma centre of Civil Hospital in Asarwa, their sirens cutting through the stunned silence that had settled over the premises. Inside the ambulances were charred bodies of people who, just a few moments earlier, were enthusiastic flyers on their way to London — grandparents eager to see their grandchildren for the first time, couples visiting their children who had made new lives abroad, students waiting to build careers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Almost 1.5km away from the runway, bodies were being retrieved from the wreckage of Atulyam building in Meghaninagar, where Air India Flight 171 had carved its final arc. Nirman Dabhi paced up and down restlessly near the trauma centre. His brother-in-law, Prashant Patel from Kathlal, was on the ill-fated flight, though Dabhi had not known of any travel plans until his cousin called him with the news. "I didn't know he is travelling but my cousin called me when she heard the news of the plane crash. I am here to get information on Prashant," he said. Nearby, Jigar Barot waited for a word regarding his brother Gaurav and sister-in-law Kalyani Brahmbhatt, Londoners who had returned to Gandhinagar three years ago but still crossed the Atlantic regularly. "They lived in the UK for many years and had moved to Gandhinagar around three years ago. They keep visiting London frequently. I hope they are safe," he said. A distraught Himanshu Parmar was seen looking for his relatives, Bhogilal and Hansaben Parmar. Bhogilal was travelling with his wife to London to meet their son Rohan and daughter-in-law Shraddha who were expecting their first child. The trip had been planned around the newborn's arrival. "Bhogilal is a retired jailer. He and his wife were going to London to visit Rohan and his wife Shraddha who were expecting their first child," Parmar said, hoping they were safe. The relatives of Neha and Hemant Pandya were getting impatient with the roadblocks, their grief turning into anger, while on their way to Civil Hospital. "At least tell us the status of our loved ones," one family member snapped, as they finally reached the hospital. "We have not come to hang out here." At the trauma centre, Utsav Shah maintained his vigil for his uncle and aunt, Pinakin and Rupa Shah, aged 58 and 55. The couple from Kalol had been bound for London to see their son's new house, the kind of visit that marks the successful migration of the next generation. They had been seen off by relatives who, before reaching home, found themselves at the hospital shocked and in tears. Dashrath and his wife Dahi Gauri Patel were on their first visit to England, where their son Ketan was settled. Similarly, Dinesh and his wife Krishna Patel were on their way to England to meet their son Vikram. Sombhai and Jyotiben Patel, residents of Swami Akhand Anand Society in Ghatlodia, too were on the flight, looking forward to meeting their son who has settled in the UK, said Dhrumil Patel, a social worker. Salim Patel, a resident of Sarod village in Jambusar, stood outside Civil Hospital trauma centre in disbelief. His 27-year-old son, Sahil, was among the passengers on the ill-fated flight. "He had secured a job in London," Salim said, his voice trembling. Sahil has a younger brother and two sisters. "He left home at 4am, and at 1.05 pm, he called us to say the flight was delayed. That was the last I heard from him. Then came the news of the crash. " Dr Salim Kaduji from Bharuch mourned the loss of his brother, 55-year-old Sarojda Salimbhai. Sarojda was travelling to London to visit his daughter, Sahista, a physician. "It was his first visit," said Kaduji. "Sahista had invited him over, saying it was summer in the UK and they could enjoy some time together." Sarojda had left Bharuch for the airport early on Thursday, accompanied by his daughters, Sahima and Sana. "They had just boarded a taxi after seeing him off when they heard the flight had crashed," he added. Ashwin Patel, from Kapadvanj, spoke of 23-year-old Dirg Patel, who had recently completed his graduate studies in the UK. "He had come to India a month ago and was headed back for a job opportunity in the IT sector," Ashwin said. "Dirg's elder brother is already settled in the UK." Among the victims are Dilip Patel and his wife. "He was the founder of Amishi Drugs, a manufacturer of bulk drugs and formulations based Naroda GIDC, and the director of Rajpath Club. The couple was going to London to meet their daughter." Subhash Amin, director of Lubi Pumps, a leading company in pumping solutions, was also among the victims. Another grieving relative, Mohsin Patel, could barely speak. His brother, Altaf Patel, 52, was on his way to visit their mother in London. "We heard about the crash… we're not in the state of mind to talk to anyone," he said, his voice trailing off. The Boeing 787-8 had lifted off from Ahmedabad at 1.38pm on Thursday, carrying 242 passengers to London Gatwick. There were 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, one Canadian and seven Portuguese on board. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
