Shah Najaf Imambara is situated on the south bank of
Gomti river towards the west of Sikandar Bagh. Built in 1816 by Nawab
Ghazi-ud-Din Haider, the Imambara is almost an exact replica of the tomb
of Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad at Najaf Ashraf in Iraq.
Ghazi-ud-Din Haider earlier known as Maula Ali, son-in-law of Prophet
Muhammad was the Nawab of Awadh in 1819 and died in the year 1827.
He was the most courageous warrior and the greatest intellectual of Islam.
He won the title of Haider-e-Khuda, meaning "Lion of Allah"
for his brave endeavors in protecting and popularizing Islam. He later
became the 4th Caliph of Islam. Shah Najaf Imambara derives its name from
the town of Najaf , where Ghazi-ud-din Haider established his government
during his caliphate. He is often called as Shah Najaf or the King of
Najaf. Shah Najaf Imambara of Lucknow is dedicated to him.
The marvelous Imambara with a huge white dome houses the tombs of Ghazi-ud-din
Haider and his two wives. The attractive garden at the entrance leads
to the silver tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haider in the center of the building
flanked by the impressive gold and silver tomb of Mubarak Mahal, his European
wife on one side, and another tomb on the other side. The interior is
used to store chandeliers, and elaborate creations of wood, bamboo and
silver paper, which are carried through the streets during the Muharram
Festival. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside this Imambara. Shah Najaf
Imambara is open from 6am to 5pm on all days.
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Uttar Pradesh 
