Ambedkar Memorial Park, Lucknow (must see)

Ambedkar Memorial Park was built to honor Doctor Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of India's Constitution and a champion of social justice. The park also commemorates other reformers like Jyotirao Phule, Narayana Guru, Birsa Munda, Shahuji Maharaj, and Kanshi Ram. Commissioned by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, the foundation stone was laid in 1995, with major phases completed by 2008 and officially opened to the public on April 14, 2008.

Constructed entirely of red sandstone from Rajasthan, the park presents a blend of grand monuments, expansive plazas, decorative columns, and flowing water features. At its center stands the iconic Ambedkar Stupa, crafted in the form of a four-petaled lotus and housing a large bronze statue of Ambedkar modeled on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, with the inscription: “My struggle of life is my only message.” The entrance, known as the Reflection Area, is flanked by 62 elephant sculptures, creating a majestic ceremonial pathway.

Beyond the Stupa and entrance, several architectural highlights await visitors. The Social Transformation Museum houses statues of social activists and reformers under its twin domes, while the Parivartan Gallery showcases large bronze murals and artefacts spread over four acres. Additionally, an 80-foot pyramid-like structure called the Drashya Sthal offers elevated vantage points across the park, complete with cascading water features.