Photo spot in Lucknow
Chota Imambara
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
An ornate 1838 shrine glittering with chandeliers, gilding and calligraphy — the 'Palace of Lights', dazzling during Muharram.
Best time
Late afternoon, when warm light falls on the gilded dome and the tank is calm enough for a reflection; during Muharram evenings for the lit chandeliers, if access allows.
Best angle
Walk to the far end of the water tank and take a low, straight-on photo of the domed hall with its reflection running down the middle of the frame.
Entry fee
Covered by combined ticket
Opening hours
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Chota Imambara
Late afternoon, when warm light falls on the gilded dome and the tank is calm enough for a reflection; during Muharram evenings for the lit chandeliers, if access allows. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Chota Imambara
Walk to the far end of the water tank and take a low, straight-on photo of the domed hall with its reflection running down the middle of the frame. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
By the reflecting tank
Under the chandeliers
Outfit guide
What to wear at Chota Imambara
For photos at Chota Imambara, gold, maroon and white work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Popular modern looks travellers are wearing across Lucknow.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Chota Imambara.
Eat nearby
Food near Chota Imambara
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for galouti kebab nearby, or settle in at one of the 2 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Use the combined ticket from the Bara Imambara, since it covers entry here as well.
Carry a scarf, as women are asked to cover their heads inside the main hall.
Ask the attendant before photographing inside the hall, and never use flash near people praying.
Walk to the far end of the water tank for the full view of the building and its reflection.
Pair your visit with the Picture Gallery and the Husainabad Clock Tower, both a short walk away.
Expect access to change during Muharram, when the hall is used for mourning gatherings.
Take the Chota Imambara in the late afternoon if you did the Bara Imambara in the morning, to catch the warmer light.
The Palace of Lights
The Chota Imambara, properly the Imambara Hussainabad Mubarak, was built in 1838 by Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah as a hall for Shia mourning and as a tomb for himself and his mother. European visitors called it the Palace of Lights because of its chandeliers and glass lamps, many of them brought from Belgium. It is lit fully during Muharram, when the hall is used for its original purpose.
What to see
The gilded dome and Quranic calligraphy on the outer walls are the first things you notice. A long water tank runs through the garden, and the building sits at the end of it, so its reflection doubles the facade on a still day. Inside the main hall are the chandeliers, the tombs, a replica of the tomb grille of Imam Husain at Karbala, and tazias, the decorated models carried in processions. On either side of the tank stand two smaller buildings: one is the tomb of the Nawab's daughter, built as a small copy of the Taj Mahal, and the other was a treasury, added mainly to balance the view.
A note on restoration
The building has been restored in recent decades, and some of that work used modern cement, which critics said damaged the old plasterwork. Look closely and you can see patches where the finish has changed.
Visiting
The Chota Imambara is on the same combined ticket as the Bara Imambara, so there is usually no need to pay twice. Shoes come off before the main hall, women are asked to cover their heads, and you should ask the attendant before you photograph inside.
Around it
The Husainabad Clock Tower (1881), at about 67 metres, the unfinished Satkhanda tower and the Picture Gallery, with portraits of the Nawabs, are all close by. Rumi Darwaza is a few hundred metres east.
Questions
Chota Imambara — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Chota Imambara?
Late afternoon, when warm light falls on the gilded dome and the tank is calm enough for a reflection; during Muharram evenings for the lit chandeliers, if access allows. Walk to the far end of the water tank and take a low, straight-on photo of the domed hall with its reflection running down the middle of the frame.
Is there an entry fee at Chota Imambara?
Entry to Chota Imambara is covered by combined ticket.
What are the opening hours of Chota Imambara?
Chota Imambara is open 6:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
What should I wear at Chota Imambara?
Gold, maroon and white photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Chota Imambara get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: late afternoon, when warm light falls on the gilded dome and the tank is calm enough for a reflection; during Muharram evenings for the lit chandeliers, if access allows.
What food should I try near Chota Imambara?
Try galouti kebab, available at nearby restaurants.
Why is it called the Palace of Lights?
European visitors gave it that name because of its many chandeliers and glass lamps, some brought from Belgium. It is lit most fully during Muharram.
Who is buried in the Chota Imambara?
Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah, who built it in 1838, and his mother. His daughter is buried in the small Taj Mahal-style tomb beside the water tank.
Is the Chota Imambara on the same ticket as the Bara Imambara?
Yes. The combined ticket covers the Bara Imambara, the Chota Imambara, the Picture Gallery and the Shahi Hammam. Keep it with you for the whole day.
Are there small copies of the Taj Mahal here?
Yes. The tomb of the Nawab's daughter, beside the water tank, is a small copy of the Taj Mahal. The matching building opposite was used as a treasury.