Lucknow: The historic monument ‘Shahnajaf Imambada’ of Mughal era, located in Hazratganj in Uttar Pradesh's Lucknow district, is in a dilapidated condition and now falling prey to the negligence of the system.
With the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) hardly taking steps for its conservation and maintenance, the monument is on the verge of disintegration and will soon be lost in the pages of history.
Locals alleged that though academicians, historians and researchers have drawn the attention of ASI and the State Government to the dilapidated condition of the palace, no visible steps have been taken to conserve and preserve the monument.
PLASTER OF WALLS FALLING, FLOOR CRUMBLING
Shahnajaf Imambara is a protected building of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). At the same time, the Hussainabad Trust has got the responsibility to look after this historic site, but Shahnazaf is now collapsing from the main gate to the dome and the walls to the plaster, which no one is going to ask. The marble on the floor of the Imambara has also got damaged from place to place and has broken as well. Tourists visiting here express their concern over the plight of this historic building and have appealed to the authorities to pay attention to the Shahnajaf Imambara.
IMAMBARA LAWN BEING GIVEN FOR WEDDING BOOKING
The Hussainabad Trust is making big bucks by booking lawns for wedding ceremonies in the premises of Shahnajaf Imambara. This historic heritage is shedding tears at its plight but in vain. The Shahnajaf Imambara also lacks maintenance. The work of repairing the main dome, which started before the coronavirus induced lockdown, is yet to take off even after the months.
The repair and painting of this historic building is not even being done. According to experts, the Trust charges up to Rs 50,000 for organising a wedding but no attention is being paid to the dilapidated condition of this historical site.
‘SHAHNAJAF IMAMBADA’ SITUATED ON THE BANK OF GOMTI
During the rule of Nawabs, many Imambadas were built in the city of Lucknow. Shahnajaf Imambara, located in Hazratganj, was built by Emperor Ghaziuddin Haider. It is the true replica of the tomb of Hazrat Ali, located in Najaf, Iraq. Shahnajaf Imambara, built in 1814, is located on the bank of the Gomti River. Its main gate used to be on the riverside. It has, however, now been created on the road. This grand building has a white dome in the middle, which is surrounded by a wall from all sides.
200 YEARS OLD CHANDELIERS STILL EXIST TODAY
The historical heritage of Lucknow -- Shahnajaf Imambara situated in Hazratganj, is also called the heart of the city. The 200-year-old chandeliers of different designs and shapes are still intact in the Shahnajaf Imambara, whose beauty makes this building even more illuminating in the evening. Shahnajaf Imambara is a tourist place as well as a religious site where Shia Muslims come to offer prayers.
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