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Explore the gems of Awadh at festival
Visitors at the Mahindra Santkada Lucknow Festival this year will be able to experience the true essence of Awadhi qasbas. The culture of qasbas such as Radauli, Maharajganj and Chandapur, and Nanpara will be explored along with many others.
A centre of literature, architecture, and culture, Radauli lies in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Outside the Khwaja Hall gate is an open area called ‘tipai’ with benches where many men of Rudauli assemble in the evening to discuss politics and literature
Many famous authors and poets hail from Radauli. Prominent poets were Basharat Ali Nadeem, Khuda Baksh Shauq, Brij Bhukan Lal, Wilayat Husain, Maulvi Mohammad Halim Ansari, and the revolutionary and romantic Asrar ul Haq ‘Majaz’.
Radauli is an important Sufi centre. It has the Shrine of Shah Abdul Haq who is also known as Makhdoom Saheb. Interestingly, the complex also includes the grave Shah Abdul Haq’s cow marked with a stake. During Makhdoom Saheb’s urs (death anniversary), lakhs of pilgrims visit his shrine. The Masjid Khaleel Ur Rehman is one of the intricately decorated and finely painted mosques in Radauli.
The Doodhadhari (built around the latter part of the 12th century) is said to have been built by Kashiram Kalwar who dreamt of jinns (spirits) instructing him to make a maqbara (grave). Now in ruins, once the Nabikhana was an arched hall where a relic (hair) of the Prophet was placed.
On Holi mirasis (traditional singers) would sing in all homes in Rudauli. When mango trees flowered, mirasis would bring a blossom in a pot covered with red cloth and offer it to house elders. Qawwals would sing at the deodhi at the birth of a child.
Rudauli is also known for special sweets such as ‘boot’ laddoos which are made of ground green chick peas. Visitors at the festival will be able to taste the Andarse ki goli which has soft khoya inside and ‘habshi’ halwa which are specialties in Radauli as well. Home-cooked food includes dahi ke pyaale which is a special sweet, baked yogurt, Biraur which a gulab jamun like sweet, Murri halwa that made from wheat flour, and Maande that is chapatti cut into small bits, fried, caramelized and cooked in milk.
The area of Mahrajganj and Chandapur has many temples, built along the water bodies. The Sri Daneshwar Dhaam and Sri Paleshwar temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva
The Sita Ram Bilas temple is located on the 500-acre Kund Taal. The water of the Kund
Taal supposedly has antisnake venom properties. Some of the gods that are worshipped are ‘swayambhu’ (selfproclaimed) for example, Aurava Bhavani, the god of hunting.
The area has a rich culture of music, dance, poetry and performing arts. Popular performances include the Ram Leela, puppetry and drama. Kavi Sammelans are popular with enthusiastic local participation. There are songs sung in Awadhi for all occasions such as songs
related to weddings, festivals, seasons, harvest, songs of unrequited love, and devotional songs. Children in this area perform ‘kaal kalauti,’ to appease the rain gods.
Taste famous Maharajganj Lal Peda that are rust coloured, flattened, sweet, cooked milk, khoya (made of thickened milk) and saffron at the MSLF this year. Maharajganj is also known for tangy chutneys are a coarse blend of greens, garlic, chili, and mustard oil.