Are you looking for a place to visit in Lucknow that combines history, culture, and beauty? If yes, then you should not miss the Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, a sprawling complex that honors the life and legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social justice.
The park, also known as Ambedkar Park, Lucknow, is a stunning example of Buddhist and Mughal architecture, featuring red sandstone, white marble, and bronze structures and monuments. The park also showcases the statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters, a museum that depicts the life and achievements of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a fountain show that dazzles the visitors every evening, and a lighting system that illuminates the park at night.
Whether you are a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or a nature lover, you will find something to admire and appreciate in this park. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about the Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, such as its history, architecture, attractions, timings, entry fee, location, and how to reach. Read on to discover why this park is one of the must-see places in Lucknow.
History of Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow
The Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, has a rich and interesting history that dates back to 1995, when it was first conceived as Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Udyan by Mayawati, the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. The park was built on the banks of the Gomti river, covering an area of 107 acres. The park was inaugurated in 1996 by K.R. Narayanan, the then President of India. However, the park was not completed as per the original plan, and it remained in a dilapidated condition for several years.
In 2002, Mayawati came back to power and decided to renovate and expand the park. She hired the famous architect Hafeez Contractor to design the park, and allocated a budget of INR 2600 crore for the project. The park was renamed as Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Prateek Sthal, and it was envisioned as a grand memorial for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters who fought for the rights and dignity of the oppressed sections of the society. The park was extended to cover an area of 376 acres, and it was adorned with red sandstone, white marble, and bronze structures and monuments. The park was inaugurated in 2008 by Pratibha Patil, the then President of India.
In 2007, Mayawati also initiated another project to build a museum and a library in the park, which would showcase the life and achievements of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters. The museum and the library were named as Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Sangrahalaya, and they were built with a budget of INR 685 crore. The museum and the library were inaugurated in 2012 by Mayawati, who was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for the fourth time.
In 2012, the park was renamed again as Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, by the Akhilesh Yadav government, which came to power after defeating Mayawati’s party. The park has been a source of controversy and criticism, as many people have questioned the huge expenditure, the environmental impact, and the political motives behind the park. However, the park has also been praised for its architectural beauty, its cultural significance, and its tribute to the great leaders of India.
Architecture of Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow
The architecture of Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, is a blend of Buddhist and Mughal styles, reflecting the influence of both the religions on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his followers. The park is built with red sandstone, white marble, and bronze, which give it a majestic and elegant look. The park has four main entrances, each with a huge gate that resembles the Sanchi Stupa. The park is divided into five sections, each with a distinct structure and monument. These are:
Pratibimb Sthal:
This is the first section of the park, which has a large pond with a fountain in the center. The pond reflects the image of the main structure of the park, which is the Prerna Sthal. The pond also has a bronze statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in a meditative pose, surrounded by four elephants. The pond is surrounded by a circular path, which has 62 bronze statues of other freedom fighters, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Rani Laxmibai, Bhagat Singh, and Chhatrapati Shivaji. The Pratibimb Sthal symbolizes the reflection of the ideals and values of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters in the society.
Sangrahalaya:
This is the second section of the park, which has a museum and a library that depict the life and achievements of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters. The museum and the library are housed in a white marble building, which has a dome and four minarets. The museum and the library have a collection of photographs, paintings, documents, books, and artifacts related to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters. The museum and the library also have audio-visual displays, interactive exhibits, and guided tours for the visitors. The Sangrahalaya is a source of inspiration and education for the visitors, who can learn about the history and culture of India.
Prerna Sthal:
This is the third section of the park, which has the main structure and monument of the park, which is a giant statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The statue is made of bronze, and it is 112 feet tall. The statue shows Dr. B.R. Ambedkar holding the Constitution of India in his hand, and standing on a pedestal that has the Ashoka Chakra and the Lotus symbol. The statue is surrounded by four pillars, which have the inscriptions of the Preamble of the Constitution of India in Hindi and English. The statue is also surrounded by 24 bronze statues of elephants, which symbolize the strength and wisdom of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his followers. The Prerna Sthal is a tribute to the vision and contribution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who is regarded as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a leader of the Dalit movement.
Prerna Kendra:
This is the fourth section of the park, which has a circular platform that has the statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his wife, Dr. Savita Ambedkar. The statues are made of bronze, and they show Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his wife sitting on a sofa, with a book in their hands. The platform also has the statues of four lions, which are the national emblem of India. The platform is surrounded by a circular path, which has 18 bronze statues of other Dalit icons, such as Jyotiba Phule, Narayana Guru, Rettamalai Srinivasan, and Kanshi Ram. The Prerna Kendra is a homage to the personal and social life of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his wife, who were both advocates of education and empowerment of the Dalits.
Prerna Path:
This is the fifth section of the park, which has a long and wide path that connects the other four sections of the park. The path is lined with trees, plants, and flowers, which create a serene and green environment for the visitors. The path also has benches, lamps, and dustbins, which provide convenience and comfort for the visitors. The Prerna Path is a way of connecting the different aspects of the park, and also a way of enjoying the natural beauty of the park.
Attractions of Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow
The Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, has many attractions that appeal to the visitors, such as:
Statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters:
The park has a total of 86 bronze statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters, who fought for the independence and equality of India. The statues are lifelike and impressive, and they represent the diversity and unity of India. The statues also inspire the visitors to learn about the history and culture of India, and to follow the ideals and values of the freedom fighters.
Museum and library:
The park has a museum and a library that showcase the life and achievements of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters. The museum and the library have a collection of photographs, paintings, documents, books, and artifacts related to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters. The museum and the library also have audio-visual displays, interactive exhibits, and guided tours for the visitors. The museum and the library are a source of inspiration and education for the visitors, who can learn about the history and culture of India.
Fountain show:
The park has a fountain show that takes place every evening from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The fountain show is a spectacular display of water, lights, and music, that create a mesmerizing effect for the visitors. The fountain show is a highlight of the park, and it attracts many people who enjoy the beauty and harmony of the show.
Lighting:
The park has a lighting system that illuminates the park at night, giving it a different and enchanting look. The lighting system enhances the beauty and grandeur of the park, and it creates a contrast between the red sandstone, the white marble, and the bronze structures and monuments. The lighting system also creates a festive and romantic atmosphere for the visitors, who can admire the park under the starry sky.
Landscaping:
The park has a landscaping that complements the architecture and the attractions of the park. The park has a variety of trees, plants, and flowers, which create a green and colorful environment for the visitors. The park also has lawns, paths, and tracks, which provide space and convenience for the visitors. The park also has benches, lamps, and dustbins, which provide comfort and cleanliness for the visitors. The landscaping of the park is a reflection of the vision and the taste of Mayawati, who wanted to create a park that would be a symbol of beauty and dignity.
Timings and Entry Fee of Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow
The Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, is open for the visitors from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm daily. The park is closed on Mondays for maintenance. The entry fee of the park is free of cost for all the visitors. However, the visitors have to pay a nominal fee of INR 10 for the museum and the library. The visitors also have to pay a fee of INR 20 for the camera and INR 50 for the video camera, if they want to take photos or videos of the park. The visitors have to follow some rules and regulations while visiting the park, such as:
- No smoking, drinking, or eating inside the park.
- No littering, spitting, or damaging the park.
- No playing, running, or shouting inside the park.
- No touching, climbing, or sitting on the statues or the structures.
- No pets, weapons, or explosives allowed inside the park.
- No political, religious, or commercial activities allowed inside the park.
- The visitors have to respect the park and its significance, and maintain the decorum and the discipline of the park.
Location and How to Reach Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow
The Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, is located in Vipul Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. The park is easily accessible by different modes of transport, such as:
Train:
The nearest railway station to the park is the Lucknow Charbagh Railway Station, which is about 10 km away from the park. The visitors can take a taxi, an auto, or a bus from the railway station to the park. The fare of the taxi is about INR 200, the fare of the auto is about INR 100, and the fare of the bus is about INR 20.
Bus:
The nearest bus stand to the park is the Gomti Nagar Bus Stand, which is about 2 km away from the park. The visitors can take an auto or a rickshaw from the bus stand to the park. The fare of the auto is about INR 20, and the fare of the rickshaw is about INR 10.
Taxi:
The visitors can also take a taxi from any part of the city to the park. The fare of the taxi depends on the distance and the traffic, but it is usually around INR 300 to INR 400.
Auto:
The visitors can also take an auto from any part of the city to the park. The fare of the auto depends on the distance and the traffic, but it is usually around INR 150 to INR 200.
Metro:
The visitors can also take the metro from any part of the city to the park. The nearest metro station to the park is the Indira Nagar Metro Station, which is about 3 km away from the park. The visitors can take an auto or a rickshaw from the metro station to the park. The fare of the metro is about INR 30, the fare of the auto is about INR 20, and the fare of the rickshaw is about INR 10.
The park is also well-connected by road, and the visitors can drive their own vehicles to the park. The park has a parking facility, which charges INR 20 for two-wheelers and INR 50 for four-wheelers.
The Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, is a monumental tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution and a leader of the Dalit movement, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The park is a stunning example of Buddhist and Mughal architecture, featuring red sandstone, white marble, and bronze structures and monuments.
The park also showcases the statues of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and other freedom fighters, a museum that depicts the life and achievements of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a fountain show that takes place every evening, and a lighting system that illuminates the park at night. The park is a must-see place in Lucknow, as it offers a unique and memorable experience for the visitors. If you are planning to visit Lucknow, make sure to include the Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow, in your itinerary.
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