There is a very beautiful structure named as Chota imambara is located in the old Lucknow. It is located near the Bara Imambara at a distance of just 2 km. This structure was built by the third Nawab of Awadh Muhammad Ali Shah in 1838. The hall is used by the Muslims for the purpose of worship. It is also famous as the tomb of Muhammad Ali Shah and Imambara Husainabad Mubarak. It is also named as the palace of lights.
It is designed beautifully with the Persian and Islamic design of architecture. The temple is beautifully designed from the outside by writing quranic poetry writing using Islamic. At the time of festivals, the structure is designed and decorated beautifully.
The tomb is constructed of the Muhammad Ali Shah and his mother. It is also the place where they both are buried. The Imambara has 2 halls Shehnasheen and Azakhana. The Hazrat Imam Husain’s zarih has been kept in the Shehnasheen hall. The external walls have curved shaped. It has a total of five doorways. The Azakhana hall is decorated beautifully with the lamp of glass and foreign chandeliers. It was designed beautifully with white and green color. These were brought from the country Belgium. With these lights, it looks beautiful this named as the palace of lights.
The imambara also has four graves. One grave is of Zinat Algiya Princess. She was the daughter of Muhammad Shah Ali. Another grave is of his wife, son, and sons-in-law. It is a little copy of the Taj Mahal. There is also a watch tower which he wants to be built like Qutb Minar. But due to the death of the Muhammad Shah Ali, the construction stopped. It is a four storied tower.
The best time to visit this structure is during night and occasions. It looks more beautiful with a number of lights. It is one of the beautiful structures to visit for the tourists in Lucknow.