Allahabad

Famous for:
Important religious place for Hindus and venue of "Kumbh Mela" held every 12 year, which is the largest gathering of humans in the world.


Video: Kumbh Mela Allahabad 2001 India

Background:
Known as Prayag, the ancient city at the confluence (Sangam) of three of the holiest rivers for the Hindus, the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Sarasvati, Allahabad is a holy city and is mentioned even in the Vedas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is amongst the largest cities in the UP and has as much historically important as it has religious importance.
The Aryans were the early settlers here after which Allahabad became capital of the Guptas. But it was Akbar, who in 1575 founded the city as it is today and named it Illahabas. He also built a fort at the Sangam inside which is the Ashoka Pillar that dates back to 232 BC.
The Marathas later captured this city and finally the British took it over.
Allahabad was also one of the main center during freedom struggle. However its religious importance outshines its historical importance and the Kumbh mela, which is held every 12 years is probably the largest gathering of humans in the world with millions of people coming to take holy dip in the sangam.


Video: Allahabad city

What to see:
The Sangam
Location: At about 7 km from station on the eastern side of the fortThis is the sacred meeting place or the sangam of the holy rivers, Yamuna (greenish water) and the Ganga (Brownish waters).
There are many small platforms or ghats, to perform pujas and take holy dip at the sangam. The Magha Mela (mid-Jan to mid-Feb), the Ardh Mela (half mela) every six years and the world famous Kumbh Mela (every 12 years) are held here. During the Kumbh Mela, over ten million people take dip in the holy sangam!

The Fort
Location: on the banks of the river Yamuna, near the Sangam
Built in 1583 by the Emperor Akbar, the Allahabad fort is a massive fort surrounded by magnificent walls and was known for its design, construction and architecture. Within the fort is the 10.6 meter high Ashoka Pillar, which dates back to 232 BC, a well called Saraswati Kup, which is believed to be the source of  the river Sarasvati and the Patalpuri temple, which is an underground temple and has the Akshayavat, the immortal Banyan tree. Most part of the fort is now occupied by the Indian Army.

Hunaman Mandir (Temple)
Location: Near the Sangam
The only temple in North India, which has a statue of Hanuman in reclining position. The temple gets submerged when water level rises in the Ganges.

Mankameshwar Temple
Location: Near Sarawasti ghat, on the bank of the Yamuna River.
This is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Khusru Bagh
Location: Near the Railway station
A garden which has the tomb of Khusru, the son of Jehangir.

Anand Bhavan
The two storied ancestral home of the Nehru family, which now houses a museum showcasing memorabilia's of the Nehru famliy. This place was also the head quarters of Congress during the Indian freedom Struggle.
Visiting hours: 09:30 am to 05:00 pm.
Closed on Mondays and Government holidays.

Allahabad Museum
Location: Near Chandra Shekhar Azad Park
The museum has a good collection of sculptures from the Gupta era. It also has good collection of artifacts of Harappan period and miniature paintings of the Moghul period.

Chandra Shekhar Azad Park
Location: Adjacent to the museum
Earlier known as Alfred park, it has fine colonial buildings, garden and public library.

Minto Park
Location: Near the Yamuna river at Sarasvati Ghat.
This is where in 1858, Lord Canning read out the declaration of handing over India from East India Company to Britain. It also has the stone memorial with four lion symbol on top.

All Saints Cathedral (Patthar Girjaghar)
One of the most impressive Anglican Cathedral in Asia, it was designed by Sir William Emerson in 1870, who was also the architect of the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.


Video: A walk down main street

Sites nearby:
Kausambi
Location: 63 km from Allahabad city.
Is an ancient Buddhist center where Buddha is believed to have come twice to deliver discourses.

Chitrakoot
Location: 137 km from Allahabad
Holy place with more than 30 temples and ghats on the banks of the river Mandakani where Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman are believed to have visited during their fourteen years of exile.

Bhita
Location: 18 km from Allahabad on the Yamuna river.
Remains of an ancient fortified city are found here.

Garhwa
Location: 50 km from Allahabad
Ruins of temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

Kara
Location: 69 km from Allahabad city on the banks of Ganga river.
Kara is famous for the temple of Kara Devi (Shitala Devi). There is also Kalehswar Mahadev Temple, Dargah of Khwaja Karak and Shivala Maharishi Ashram.


Video: migratory birds at the sangam

Reaching there:
Air: There is no airport at Allahabad. The nearest airports are at Varanasi (145 km), Kanpur (193 km) and Lucknow (211 km).

Rail: Allahabad is connected with all the major cities of India by train. The are regular trains from Delhi (10 hours), Kolkata (15 hours), Mumbai (24 hours) and Varanasi (3 hours).

Road: NH 2 (Delhi - Mathura - Agra - Kanpur - Allahabad - Varanasi - Mohania - Kolkatta), NH 27 (Allahabad - Mangawan), NH 76 (Pindwara - Udaipur - Kota - Shivpuri - Jhansi - Allahabad), NH 96 (Faizabad - Sultanpur - Pratapgarh - Allahabad) are the National Highways passing trough Allahabad.
Allahabad is very well connected with all the major cities of India by road.


Video: Traffic at Allahabad

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