Bada Mangal festivalCelebrated with great enthusiasm in Lucknow, this celebration has its roots in the rich cultural heritage of the city. This annual event is held in honor of Lord Hanuman and is celebrated on Tuesdays in the month of Jyeshtha in the Hindu calendar. The festival is especially important at the historic Hanuman temple in Aliganj, which is believed to be around 400 years old.
According to local sources, the temple was built by Begum Rabiya, wife of Nawab Muhammad Ali Shah.According to legend, Begum saw in her dream an idol of Hanuman hidden in a certain part of the garden. In his dream, a voice signaled him to dig up the idol and place it in a Hanuman temple. She was soon said to be blessed with a child, and believing this to be a divine act, the Nawab built a Hanuman temple as tribute. This was the old Hanuman temple.

As for the festival, information suggests that it started around that time Nawabi period. The story goes that Janab-e-Alia, wife of Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah, born to a devout Hindu named Chhatar Kunwar, prayed for a child in the ancient Hanuman temple. His prayers were answered, and in gratitude he renovated the old temple and built a new one. This act of devotion is said to have started the tradition. Bada Barbecue celebrations.
There is another version of the story that connects the festival to the period of Nawab Saadat Ali Khan, when his son Muhammad Ali Shah was seriously ill. After all medical treatments failed, blessings were sought from Lord Hanuman. Aliganj temple, leading to the prince’s recovery. It is said that on the day of Thanksgiving, the Nawab started the tradition of celebrating Bada Mangal.
The festival is a reflection of Lucknow Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb is a term symbolizing the harmonious co-existence of Hindu and Muslim cultures. On Bada Mangal, the city comes alive with communal feasts known as bhandaras, attended by people from all communities and showcasing the city’s spirit of inclusivity.
Hanuman temple in Aliganj becomes the epicenter of activities during Bada Mangal. Devotees flock to the temple to pray and seek blessings. Decorated with flowers and lights, the temple echoes with hymns. Hanuman Chalisa and bhajans. The air is filled with a sense of piety and celebration as devotees indulge in rituals.
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Bada Mangal is the tradition of local people and various organizations setting up stalls and distributing prasad, sherbet and water to the public. This act of generosity exemplifies the festival’s essence of sharing and caring for one another.
As the day progresses, the bhandaras become the focal point, where volunteers serve a variety of traditional delicacies to visitors. Food distribution is not just an act of charity, it is also a way to bring people together, break down barriers and strengthen social ties.
The Bada Mangal festival culminates with various cultural programs and bhandaras continuing late into the night. The traditions observed during this festival are a celebration of the enduring legacy of the temple and the unifying power of faith in the social fabric of Lucknow. The festival not only honors Lord Hanuman but also celebrates the spirit of social harmony and the joy of giving.