Although Lucknow is famed for its historical monuments of the bygone era and intricate architectural samples which loop in hordes of tourists from all over the globe, the ghats of the city somehow fail to grab the equal amount of footfall or even attention. Adding to the city’s scenic beauty, the Lucknow ghats are where one can choose to stroll around while inhaling the freshly churned air out of the flowing Gomti and picturesque views which are ought to calm the mind. One such ghat in Lucknow which has provided employment to the locals since ages now while pulling in the Bollywood fraternity to its banks, is Kudiya Ghat.
Always a good time to visit!
As per claims, this ghat is named after Rishi Kaundilya, who had established his ashram in Lucknow near the riverbank, way back in the pages of history and the premises of the ghat was rebuilt in the year 1990. There is a dedicated space here, where you’ll find hundreds of clothes hung out to dry by the dhobis, on a daily basis as this area is also known as the Dhobi Ghat of Lucknow. A major chunk of earnings garnered by the families living in the Dhobi Ghat locality, is sourced by washing chikan clothes before they go out in the market shelves.
Particularly during Kartik Purnima, Kudiya Ghat is frolicked by devotees who come here to take a dip in the river, although Gomti has no substantial religious significance. Tourists are usually found taking a boat ride on the streaming Gomti and various spots of the ghat, are used for innumerable purposes. While on your morning walk around this quarter, activities like self-defence classes, meditation, laundering and so on, are some of the common sights which would keep your eyes busy.
Kudiya Ghat has also increasingly become popular amidst photographers and filmmakers, who are often spotted here, for pre-wedding shoots and movie scenes. Bollywood films like Raid, Gulabo Sitabo, Pati Patni aur Woh, amidst others, have featured this ghat and even the recent OTT series, A Suitable Boy has glimpses of this reposeful locale.
Knock Knock
Even if you’re not too keen about a boat ride, you can still take a walk here along the banks of the Gomti to free up your mind from the adjacent chaos which old Lucknow presents. Sunrise and sunset are the best times to be at Kudiya Ghat, especially if you want to get clicked or clicking. Moreover, the place is surrounded by historically significant structures of Lucknow, namely the Bada Imambada, Chhota Imambada, Ghanta Ghar, Satkhanda and so on, which never allows you to be bored when here.
