Lucknow is no longer just about ‘tehzeeb’, ‘kebabs’ and heritage ‘havelis’. The city is serving up a heady mix of old-world charm, new-age cool and humour, with its influencers and cultural custodians taking Instagram by storm. From forgotten traditions to Gen Z-friendly reels, they are giving the City of Nawabs a contemporary makeover without losing its soul. Some have even traded lucrative careers to tell Lucknow’s stories, proving that the city’s culture can be both timeless and trendingPage: mohakkimayaName: RJ MohakPosts: 1,880Followers: 42.7KFollowing: 897CONTENT | Everything that is LucknowOne of the most popular Instagram handles celebrating the spirit of Lucknow, the page has carved a niche for itself with its highly relatable comedic reels and videos. Blending humour with everyday experiences, the content explores relationship dynamics, family life and the quirks of living in the city.What makes the page particularly engaging is its strong local connect, as it celebrates Lucknow’s distinctive culture, language, food and neighbourhoods, allowing residents to see their own lives and surroundings reflected in the content. His love for the city soon became the driving force behind his content.Instead of simply showcasing popular landmarks or highlighting the usual attractions, he began giving the city’s neighbourhoods a distinct identity through humour and storytelling. From the old-world charm of Chowk and the bustling lanes of Aminabad to the residential stretches of Ashiyana and Jankipuram, he imagines these localities as living entities, each with its own personality, habits and quirks.By drawing on familiar experiences and everyday observations, he transforms ordinary neighbourhoods into relatable characters that strike a chord with local audiences.“Being digitally active was also a part of my KRA. Whenever I heard people speaking negatively about Lucknow, it would genuinely hurt me. I felt there was so much about the city that people needed to see and appreciate. That is when I decided to use my platform to spread positivity and showcase Lucknow in a different light,” he says.“For me, creating quirky content comes naturally because of my love for Lucknow. I know the city, its people and their mannerisms, and I enjoy finding humour in the little things that make it special. My aim is not just to entertain people but also to make them appreciate the city they live in,” he says.Page: maroofculmenName: Maroof UmarPosts: 845Followers: 1.3mFollowing: 1,659CONTENT | Heritage, food, dying artforms, artisansIn 2021, 31-year-old Maroof Umar took to Instagram, combining his love for graphic design, tourism and cultural preservation to showcase Lucknow beyond its usual postcards. A graphic designer by profession, he uses his creative eye to uncover the city’s lesser-known stories.Maroof realised that Lucknow’s tourism narrative often revolved around crowd-pullers like Bhool Bhulaiya and Imambara, leaving plenty of hidden gems, including Musa Bagh, waiting in the wings. He decided it was time to give these overlooked places their moment in the spotlight.“Hum logon ke yahan tourism selected tha, jaise Bhool Bhulaiya, Imambara, but they are overcrowded,” he tells TOI.His mission goes beyond forgotten destinations. Maroof is equally passionate about the artisans keeping Lucknow’s traditional crafts alive, from ‘chikankari’ and ‘zardozi’ to ‘chatapati ghararas’. For him, the real story lies not just in the exquisite creations but also in the hands, histories and hard work behind them.His Instagram has become a digital adda for these unsung custodians of heritage, bringing their stories to an audience that might otherwise never encounter them.One of his most loved reels features Aamna Khatoon, who has spent 40 years preserving the art of crafting ‘chatapati ghararas’. Having learnt the craft from her ‘khala’ (aunt), Aamna carries forward a legacy passed down through generations.For her, every stitch tells a story of patience, precision and dedication.Another compelling story follows a veteran ‘zardozi’ artisan who began as a ‘shagird’ (apprentice) in childhood and spent 15 years mastering the intricate craft. “Once created using real silver threads, with techniques and embellishments such as ‘dabka’, ‘naqshi’ and kalapattu, zardozi has evolved with changing times and now increasingly uses artificial materials. Yet, the one thing that remains unchanged is the hard work stitched into every creation,” Maroof says.Through his lens, Maroof is giving Lucknow’s cultural heritage a fresh digital lease of life, proving that the city’s finest stories often lie beyond its famous monuments, in its forgotten corners and the hands that keep its traditions alive.Page: flavorsoflucknowName: Abhishek AgarwalPosts: 3,002Followers: 132KFollowing: 4,034CONTENT | FoodFlavours of Lucknow is a prominent food and beverage community, content platform, and digital marketing initiative dedicated to celebrating Lucknow’s rich culinary heritage. Founded in 2017 by Lucknow-based entrepreneur and food creator Abhishek Agarwal, the platform has become a recognized voice in the city’s food ecosystem. In 2026, Agarwal was named Food Creator of the Year at the UP Creator Summit & Awards, recognizing his contribution to food content creation and the promotion of Uttar Pradesh’s culinary culture.What began as an effort to discover and document Lucknow’s diverse food scene has evolved into a platform connecting food lovers, restaurants, street-food vendors, homegrown brands, and culinary creators. Flavors of Lucknow highlights everything from iconic street-food stalls and hidden neighborhood gems to established restaurants and premium dining destinations.A core focus of the platform is the promotion of Awadhi cuisine and Lucknow’s traditional food heritage. Through engaging digital content, it showcases authentic regional dishes, culinary traditions, and the people behind the city’s distinctive food culture.The platform has also expanded its reach through collaborations with renowned food personalities, including internationally recognized food and travel creator Mark Wiens, exploring some of Lucknow’s iconic vegetarian and non-vegetarian culinary destinations and bringing the city’s food culture to a wider global audience.—————-Page: sprinklers_of_life_Name: Tanoo SoniPosts: 1,014Followers: 48.7KFollowing: 2,661CONTENT | Food, travel, lifestyleThe content revolves around restaurant reviews, local travel, food blogging, aesthetics, and personal lifestyle stories, with a strong focus on Lucknow and its evolving culture. Through engaging and visually appealing content, it explores the city’s diverse culinary landscape — from iconic restaurants and hidden food gems to traditional eateries, cafés, street-food destinations, and emerging dining spaces.Beyond food, the content captures Lucknow’s local experiences, lifestyle, architecture, beauty, culture, and everyday charm, offering audiences a more personal perspective of the city.The platform also incorporates personal lifestyle narratives, allowing audiences to connect with the creator beyond food and travel. This combination of authentic recommendations, visual storytelling, local discovery, and personal experiences creates a distinctive digital identity centred around Lucknow’s food, culture, lifestyle, and people.“It was a good platform, and I initially started by following other handles. Then I realised it was a brilliant way to promote the city while also earning money. But soon, money took a backseat. I began supporting street food vendors and helping them boost their sales for free. That gave me immense satisfaction. Social media can change not just your life but also the lives of others, if used positively,” Ayodhya girl Soni tells TOI.Page: Ishq_e_lucknowiName: Alok SrivastavaPosts:4,092Followers:214kFollowing: 761CONTENT | Food, travel, lifestyle, festivalsIn the heart of Lucknow, a young dynamo is making waves by showcasing the city’s rich heritage and vibrant culture to the world. Alok Srivastava, a 28-year-old administrative officer at a healthcare firm, is passionately promoting Lucknow on Instagram.With a flair for creativity and a keen eye for detail, Alok’s Instagram page has become a go-to destination for all things Lucknow. His engaging videos and stunning visuals take followers on a tour of the city’s iconic landmarks, from the historic Hazratganj and Bada Imambara to the serene Kudiya Ghat and picturesque Janeshwar Mishra Park. Whether it’s showcasing the city’s culinary delights or highlighting its cultural events, Alok’s content is a testament to his love for Lucknow.But Alok’s talent doesn’t stop there. This multifaceted individual is also an avid cook, skilled driver, and event organizer, having successfully orchestrated events like Dandiya nights and Durga Puja. His versatility and enthusiasm have earned him an impressive following of over 2.2 lakh followers on Instagram.“During the Covid-19 pandemic, my creativity struck a chord with my audience, and my page gained significant traction. Today, I continue to inspire and engage my followers with creative content, which showcases not just the city’s popular spots but also its lesser-known gems,” he says.“As a promoter of Lucknow, I am dedicated to highlighting the city’s unique blend of tradition and modernity. My efforts have not only put the city in the spotlight but also inspired others to explore and appreciate its beauty,” he adds. With his passion, creativity, and dedication, Alok is truly a luminary who is shining bright and putting Lucknow on the map.Page: aisha_ameen_burqariderName: Aisha AmeenPosts: 958Followers:19kFollowing: 4,871CONTENT | Travel, girl child education, women empowermentAisha Ameen, a 28-year-old freelance journalist, believes every story can spark a change. And sometimes, all it takes is a bike, a ‘burqa’ and the courage to ride against stereotypes. In her reels, Aisha is often seen riding her bike in a ‘burqa’, making a powerful statement about women’s empowerment, independence and the freedom to embrace every facet of one’s identity.With over 19,000 followers on Instagram, Aisha has built a community around women’s empowerment, cultural preservation and social awareness. Her content goes beyond the scroll, using storytelling to highlight issues that matter. “Through my social media content, I shed light on the importance of education and equality. My campaigns, such as ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’, aim to promote the value of girl child education and combat societal norms that hinder women’s progress,” she says.For Aisha, biking is more than a hobby; it is also a source of comfort during bouts of depression. “Growing up watching movies centred around bikes, I developed a craze for the freedom and adrenaline rush that comes with riding. My experiences living in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, before 2006 further fuelled my passion for biking,” she says.By taking to the road in a ‘burqa’, Aisha challenges the stereotypes often attached to Muslim women, showing that pursuing one’s passions need not come at the cost of personal values or identity.Through her work and her rides, Aisha continues to inspire women to carve out their own paths, proving that one can honour their roots while charting a course entirely their own.Page: dastaaneawadhName: Snehil AgarwalPosts: 584Followers: 34.2kFollowing: 682CONTENT| HeritageThe page is dedicated to uncovering the forgotten history, untold stories, and hidden architectural treasures of Lucknow and the wider Awadh region. Exclusive Heritage Walks: Every Sunday, the page organizes unique and offbeat heritage walks, known as Hawakhori. Instead of focusing on popular tourist attractions, these walks take participants inside private havelis, locked monuments, and other historically significant sites that are usually inaccessible to the public.
