The craft which can be traced back to early man civilization, when tools were made of bones and much later these bones were used to make decorative pieces and some pieces of utility with a touch of art in them, is on the verge of extinction, or let’s say it already is almost extinct. Only a few artesian practice it till date, though unhappy with the earnings it fetches. The lack of patrons, scarcity of raw material and legal restraints has pushed many artisans away from the craft of bone carving. There are only a very few in Lucknow who are loyal to this inherited craft that they have inherited from their families and continue to earn their livelihood from it.

Animal bones took the center-stage to craft decorative and other articles of utility after the ban on ivory. Lucknow was always a place where artists and artisans innovated and experimented and their experiments and innovations were patronized by the Nawabs of Awadh who were connoisseur of all things good and gave high regard to craftsmen. Bone craft, though was not only restricted to Lucknow and was practiced in many other parts of India, but Lucknow’s was considered to be very intricate and probably the only place where buffalo bones were used for this craft. Buffalo bones are sourced from the butchers for whom these are of practically no use and then after processing traditionally, these are used to craft articles by the artisans. Beautiful masterpieces are produced out of these bones which include jewelry boxes, pens, hair clips and even fashion jewelry which includes necklaces, earnings et al.

This is a dying form of craft and to keep it alive, whatever exists of it, Tornos takes you to one such home based workshop where the family is involved in this craft. You understand the process, meet the craftsmen at work and interact with them directly to appreciate this craft. Of course there is an opportunity to buy directly from them.

Kathak is one of the eight classical dance forms of India. Its famous three ‘gharanas’ or the schools are Lucknow, Jaipur and Banaras, where Lucknow is considered to be the most superior of these all, due to its distinctive style that includes intricate hand, foot and eye movement and above all, intense facial expressions that make the story come alive. From love stories of Lord Krishna, to description of Lord Shiva’s personality, from entertainment evenings at the royal courts of Mughals and the Nawabs of Awadh or for that matter a devotee’s love for God as part of Sufi belief, Kathak is about visually narrating a story through a dance. Kathak dance form is in fact the most secular of all dance forms in India, living up to Hindu-Muslim unity, in line with secular principles of Awadh, particularly that of Lucknow, which is a part of its social fabric.

Under our product, ‘Bells, Beats and Ballet’ – (Kathak Workshop), we at Tornos bring to you 3 exciting options to choose from:-

Understanding the 68 days of mourning in Lucknow* 

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and the most important month for Muslims after Ramzan (Ramadan). Instead of joyous celebration, Shia Muslims mark the beginning of the New Year with sorrow by participating in mournful gatherings – mourning the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala.

Other than Iran, India has the largest Shia population in the world, while Lucknow hosts the most in India, thus the observance of Muharram in Lucknow is the longest, most unique and beyond compare.

We take you on a curated tour of Lucknow’s Muhharam, where one experiences, how the city has maintained the legacy of this mourning custom from the Nawabi era till date and that too unchanged. Hindus too take part in these rituals with great reverence and devotion, making Muharram a unique feature in the socio-cultural fabric of Lucknow, presenting an unparalleled example of Hindu-Muslim unity in the city.

Muharram Event Calendar*

*Dates subject to change as per moon sighting – only by one or two days, plus or minus.

– by appointment

After a day’s hard work and toiling all day it is a humble cuisine that labourers cook for themselves every evening with limited means at their disposal but with great heart and full soul.

We at Tornos have learnt to appreciate this unique cuisine that we call, ‘Taste of Labour’, very basic but a hearty meal that tastes quite different due to labour being one of its ingredients. We will take you to a construction site to experience the dinner preparation just after the day’s labour. Learn step by step cooking, from lighting the fire to plating the meal. Each step is unbelievable, style of lighting fire, pounding of garlic with the back of a steel glass, or for that matter bread being rolled with a rolling pin all are so unique to labourers’ cuisine.

Believe us, there is absolutely no parallel in the style of cooking and the taste of food cooked by the labourers on the roadside at the construction sites or their makeshift abode on the streets.

(Excursion to Ayodhya on specific event dates*) 

Indian wedding is not just a ritual but actually a phase when a Hindu steps into, ‘Grahast Ashram’ – the worldly life of being married. This Hindu ritual draws inspiration from the wedding of Ram-Sita, a couple who is considered perfect in all senses and a wedlock that had absolutely no flaw at all.

Just a 2 hours drive from takes us to Ayodhya, an ancient religious city where Lord Rama was born. This city is deeply rooted to its traditions and customs, one of it being Ram Vivah or the Wedding of Lord Rama with Sita. This actually is ‘not to be missed’ event in Ayodhya and according to Hindu calendar falls on, ‘Aghan Vivah Panchami’, the day when Lord Rama married Sita the daughter of Janak along with his three brothers, Laxman, Bharat & Shatrudhan who married Urmila, Mandavi & Shrutikirti respectively.

We at Tornos organise this very curated tour of Ayodhya that not only includes the tour of temples, evening Aarti of river Saryu, but also takes you to show the different wedding processions that originate on this particular day from different Ashrams and move through the city to reach the wedding venue, where cultural performances are held and all the wedding rituals follow all night.

*Ram Vivah Tour Date (subject to change by one day plus/minus as per Hindu calendar)

2023 – Sunday, 17th December

2024 – Friday, 6th December

2025 – Tuesday, 25th November

2026 – Monday, 14th December

2027 – Friday, 3rd December

What all you should not expect on these tours ?

India was the first country outside of Great Britain to take up the game of golf. The Royal Calcutta Golf Club, established in 1829, happens to be the oldest golf club in India, and the first outside Great Britain. A little later La Martiniere Golf Club was established in Lucknow, much before golf came to Delhi.

At that time river Gomti was a vibrant clean flowing river noted for fish, fowl and pearls. In such idyllic surroundings the white sahibs, wielded Brassie (fairway woods) and Niblicks (wedges), while their `Madam Sahibs’, trotted up and down in riding breeches on what has since become, Kalidas Marg. The present club-house did not exist then. The first tee was laid out somewhere near the present Haider Canal (which is adjoining the present Lohia Path road to Gomti Nagar). The course was open to the members of the United Services Club and a select few `brown sahibs’ (Indian elites) and ‘Talukdars’ (Indian landlords).

Spreading over 70 acres, it offers 9 holes, par 71 challenging golf course, measuring 6391 yards. The course features lush green fairways, large old trees, and two water hazards. The best and the longest hole on the golf course is hole 07 that plays 584 yards from Men’s tee.

On this tour you not only play a game of golf, but also enjoy some bird watching, with vivid varieties of birds that flock the area. Also, watch the little ones go to school at La Martiniere and watch the boys assemble for their morning assembly, that indeed is a pleasant sight to behold.

Know a bit about Golf….

While the modern game of golf originated in 15th century Scotland, the game’s ancient origins are unclear and much debated. Some historians trace the sport back to the Roman game of paganica, in which participants used a bent stick to hit a stuffed leather ball. One theory asserts that paganica spread throughout Europe as the Romans conquered most of the continent, during the first century BC, and eventually evolved into the modern game. The first written record of golf is James II’s banning of the game in 1457, as an unwelcome distraction to learning archery. To many golfers, the Old Course at St Andrews, a links course dating to before 1574, is considered to be a site of pilgrimage. Golf is documented as being played on Musselburgh Links, East Lothian, Scotland as early as 2 March 1672, which is certified as the oldest golf course in the world by Guinness World Records. The oldest surviving rules of golf were compiled in March 1744 for the Company of Gentlemen Golfers, later renamed The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, which was played at Leith, Scotland. The world’s oldest golf tournament in existence, and golf’s first major, is The Open Championship, which was first played on 17 October 1860 at Prestwick Golf Club, in Ayrshire, Scotland.

(Same day shared, no-frills group tour from Lucknow to Ayodhya. 09-10 hours, including driving time & temple visits)

Post breakfast at 0900 hrs you will be picked up from city hotels (except from Ramada. Pre-booking is important Call 24X7 : + 91-9935538105) and we will leave Lucknow for Ayodhya (150 km / 2 hrs). En route a bio-break at an identified facility. 

Upon arrival we will be met by our Ayodhya Tour Manager who will now lead the tour and get us a privileged access into the temples.

We will visit Ram Janam Bhoomi, the place of birth of Lord Rama. 

Later we will break for lunch at a temple eatery (Optional Lunch/Refreshments on your own – it is not covered in the cost)

Thereafter we will visit Hanuman Gari – the seat of Lord Hanuman who sits on a hilltop to guard the holy city of Ayodhya.

We will now visit Kanak Bhawan and then visit of Kaale Ram Temple and Nageshwar Nath Temple and the Saryu Ghat. (Optional boating on the river – it is not covered in the cost)

Later we drive to the temple workshop where stones are being carved to be placed in the under-construction Rama Temple. 

We will now board our vehicle and return to Lucknow, to reach Lucknow by late dinner time. (Drop-off at hotels from where guests were picked up).

Waris Ali Shah or Sarkar Waris Pak was a sufi saint from Dewa, in Barabanki near Lucknow, who was the successor of the Qadriyya–Razzakiyya Silsila (sect). He was from the 26^th generation of Hazrat Imam Hussain and was born in 1809.

Sarkar Waris Pak accepted millions of people belonging to all faith into his commune. During that period, Firangi Mahal was the most famous religious centre for Muslims, and they too respected Waris Pak. This endorsement by Firangi Mahal was enough to accord credibility to him. Waris Ali Shah died on 7^th April 1905 and was buried at this spot in Dewa. This place is marked by a monument erected in his memory by his followers. The architecture represents communal harmony. It was constructed on a pattern, blending the Hindu and Iranian architecture.

We pick the guests from their city hotels at 1745 hrs, in an exclusive air-conditioned car/coach accompanied by a guide, who en route to Dewa Sharif will explain about this faith. In Dewa Sharif, you not only get to offer your respect to the grave inside in this shrine, by way of ‘chadar-poshi’ (respectful offering of grave covering cloth and flowers), but you also enjoy a seated sessions with the Qawals (devotional Sufi singers), while our expert guide translates the song that is sung in the honor of the sufi saint.

About Sufism in India

Sufism has an illustrious history in India evolving for over 1,000 years. The presence of Sufism has been a leading entity increasing the reaches of Islam throughout the subcontinent. Following the entrance of Islam in the early 700s, Sufi mystic traditions became more visible during the 10th and 11th centuries of the Delhi Sultanate. A conglomeration of four chronologically separate dynasties, the early Delhi Sultanate consisted of rulers from Turkic and Afghan lands. This Persian influence flooded the subcontinent with Islam, Sufi thought, syncretic values, literature, education, and entertainment that has created an enduring impact on the presence of Islam in India today.

Various leaders of Sufi orders, tariqa, chartered the first organized activities to introduce localities to Islam through Sufism. Saint figures and mythical stories provided solace and inspiration to Hindu caste communities often in rural villages of India. The Sufism teachings of divine spirituality, cosmic harmony, love, and humanity resonated with the common people and still does so today. The following content will take a thematic approach to discuss a myriad of influences that helped spread Sufism and a mystical understanding of Islam, making India a contemporary epicenter for Sufi culture today.

Musical Influence

Music has always been present as a rich tradition among all Indian religions. As an influential medium to disperse ideas, music has appealed to people for generations. The audience in India was already familiar with hymns in local languages. Thus Sufi devotional singing was instantly successful among the populations. Music transmitted Sufi ideals seamlessly. In Sufism, the term music is called “sa’ma” or literary audition. This is where poetry would be sang to instrumental music; this ritual would often put Sufis into spiritual ecstasy. The common depiction of whirling dervishes dressed in white cloaks come to picture when paired with “sa’ma.” Many Sufi traditions encouraged poetry and music as part of education. Sufism spread widely with their teachings packaged in popular songs accessing mass demographics. Women were especially affected; often used to sing Sufi songs during the day and in female gatherings. Sufi gatherings today are known as qawali. One of the biggest contributors to the musical Sufi tradition was Amir Khusro (d. 1325). Known as a disciple of Nizamuddin Chishti, Amir was known as the most talented musical poet in the early Muslim period of India. He is considered the founder of Indo-Muslim devotional music traditions. Nicknamed “Parrot of India”, Amir Khusro furthered the Chishti affiliation through this rising Sufi pop culture within India.

Kankave Baazi

That is exactly what ‘kite’ means in Lucknow. A wondrous pastime and at times, full-time too. Not only kids, but also Bade Miyan (as an elderly person is respectfully referred in Lucknow) take to their rooftops, on the banks of river Gomti, on the embankment, on the pavement and at times in the middle of the roads, where traffic has to wait till the flyers finish with their, oh! so important task of flying kites, cutting another kite or grabbing the falling ones. All this and more is a usual scene in the old city area of Lucknow.

We take you on this exploration visit to a rooftop, where you learn the art of flying kites and winning the match. You learn the vernacular dictum of this game and indulge in a real match. Kite flying enthusiasts of the city gather at one place and mesmerize you, with old anecdotes connected to kite-flying and that of the Nawabs. We also treat you to traditional soft beverages (hot/cold) and your rendezvous with kites may leave you praying to God, that sun may never set and you be flying kites all day and all night.

Tornos’ Home dining experience – by appointment

Sheesh Mahal is the first Palace Complex of Nawab Asif-Ud-Daula, now hard to believe due to mindless demolition and construction. Yet it is home to the decedents of the erstwhile royal family that has lived here in difficult contrasting conditions, after the failed Indian Mutiny in 1858.

It is said that the royalty and the royal lifestyle never fades, no matter what the financial condition of a royal be. The generations old recipes are still a part of the daily meal at the Sheesh Mahal and the family takes utmost pride in following the same un-distorted recipes for their daily meals. The only impact of modern times is on service style that is not so grand now and the number of dishes served being fewer they were when Asif-Ud-Daula dined here.

The family’s connection due to inter-royalty weddings with the royal families of Nizam of Hyderabad and Nawab of Rampur, have immensely impacted the recipes of the family, bringing in a lot many dishes to their cuisine, yet maintaining the authenticity and purity of their very own Awadhi cuisine. A typical fare at Sheeh Mahal includes Kebab, Korma, Pulao, Rumali and Phirni. Food at Sheesh Mahal is prepared by their ancestral family cooks and the ladies of the house and each meal here is a celebration of household family recipes that have been passed on from mother-in-laws and mothers of the present generation that resides here.

– by appointment

After seeing the fabulous monuments of the city, built by the Nawabs of Awadh in Lucknow, how awesome it would be, to meet a descendant of the Nawab over an afternoon tea. Talk to him about all that he has seen changing over the years in Lucknow, know a bit about his family and experience the innate etiquette, the mannerism and the art of speech that is mastered by him. There is more to the city of Lucknow than just its fabulous and grand monuments, there is culture and host of cultured people and their lifestyle, which is not bound by the financial well being, rather is a treasured inheritance of a few families, Nawab’s being one of those.

We take you for this one to one session, after the city tour of Lucknow, where you interact with Nawab Sahib on diverse topics of history, craft and cuisine over a cup of tea that he is always delighted to serve you when at his home in his decked up small family museum that houses inherited antiques.

Churches in Lucknow are associated with Oudh’s history and uprising of 1857. Some of them do not exist as a result of spirited mutineers who targeted churches in Lucknow considering these to be symbols of British dominance, while others were replaced by huge structures after the failed mutiny. On other count cemeteries of Lucknow have their own distinct place in the British history. British war heroes, soldiers, civilians and many notable English personalities rest here in peace. We at Tornos after an extensive research have put together a few churches and cemeteries that will take you back into times and will recreate connected stories. Visit Mardiaon, Residency, Christ Church, St Joseph’s Cathedral, Epiphany Church, All Saints Garrison Church and Cantonment Cemetery.

We offer very exciting local holiday package, based on stay at our partner hotel, Lebua. This is a two night and three days package which is a great value for money that offers great experience at cutting edge costs.

This package part from 2 nights stay with breakfast includes airport pickup and drop, sightseeing and Heritage Walk along with a choice of one food walk, non-vegetarian food walk at dinner or the vegetarian food walk at lunch. 

Tornos enjoys very special rates with hotels and as a bundle offer we pass on the benefit that works out quite low as compared to split services availed. Our packages that range from 2 nights are extendable and can also be customised to suit special requirements.

(Festive Tour Series by Tornos)

About the festival 

Eid-ul-Fitr is an Islamic festival that celebrates the first day of the month of Shawwal (Islamic Calendar) marking the end of month long fasting of Ramzan (Ramadan) and feasting from the break of fast.

Ramzam is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar  which is a lunar calendar and the month begins with the sighting of the new moon. The holy book of Islam, Quran was introduced by Prophet Mohammad in this month thus its importance is manifold for followers of Islam. Muslims during this month fast during the day without consuming food and water and break the fast at sunset each day.

Tour Calendar (As these tours are based on moon-sighting, the dates may differ by a one day, plus-minus)

• Wednesday, April 10, 2024
• Sunday, March 30, 2025
• Thursday, March 19, 2026
• Tuesday, March  9, 2027

More details on request : info@tornosindia.com