Places to visit in Allahabad Tourist Places

Allahabad, referred as ‘Prayag’ in the Puranic literatures is set on the sacred confluence of three great Indian rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical (and invisible) Saraswati.  It is one of the oldest cities and holiest Hindu pilgrim centres of the country.  According to Skand Purana, Lord Brahma the creator performed athe Prakrishta Yagna her and mentioned it as ‘Tirth Raj’ or the ‘king of al pilgrimage centres’.  The town also finds mention in several ancient telitious scriptures like, Vedas and great epics Ramayana and Mahabharta. The present day Allahabad city was founded by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1575.  It became an important cantonment during the British and played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle.  Allahabad was also a major education centre and nurtured a number of scholars, poets, writers, thinkers, statesmen and leaders.  A number of fairs and festivals are celebrated here providing an insight into the rich cultural heritage.  The Kumbh fair held once in 12 years attracts millions of pilgrims.

Allahabad City General Information

Location

Allahabad is located in the southern part of the state of Uttar Pradesh, at latitude 25°282'N and longitude 81°502'E, and stands at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.  The region was known in antiquity as the Vats country.  Allahabad has an area of about 65 sq.km. and is about 98m above the sea level.  It is well connected through air, rail and road with most of the major cities of India, viz., Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, etc.

 

Climate

It experiences all the four seasons prevalent in India.  The summer season is from April to June with the maximum temperatures rising beyond 40 to 45°C. Monsoon begins in early July and lasts till September.  The winter season falls in the months of December, January and February.  Temperatures in the cold weather could drop to the freezing point with maximum at almost 12 to 14°C.  It does not snow in Allahabad, but the lowest temperature recorded is 2°C and the highest is 48°C.

History

Allahabad is an ancient town, as is illustrated by references in the Vedas (circa 1500 B.C.).  It was known as 'Prayag' where Brahma, the Hindu Creator of the Universe, is believed to have attended a sacrificial ritual.  In 1584, the Mughal Emperor, Akbar, who built one of his largest forts here, renamed the town as Allahabad, or the abode of Allah.  It was from Allahabad that Prince Salim, later to become Emperor Jahangir, revolted against his father, the Mughal Emperor, Akbar.  In 1602, Prince Salim held a parallel Imperial Court in Akbar's fort in Allahabad.  Akbar named Salim his successor, and in 1605, an imperial summon forced the prince to leave Allahabad and proceed towards Delhi.

Allahabad Tourism Information

Allahabad also known as "Prayag", is a city in the North India state of Uttar Pradesh.  It is a peaceful and one of the most sacred pilgrimage centres of India.  Allahabad is an important city where the confluence of history, religion and culture is as magnificent as the sacred rivers that flow through this God-graced land.

Sangam /Prayag

It is the sacred confluence of the three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati about 7 km from Civil Lines.  The confluence can be reached by a boat and one can witness the meeting of the brownish waters of Ganga with greenish Yamuna, while devotees to perform puja and ritual ablutions in the shallow water here. It is believed that it is at the Sangam, that a few drops of the nectar, 'Amrit Bindu' fell making its waters truly magical.  At the Sangam, the waters of the Ganges and the Yamuna can be distinctly seen to merge into one.  It is during the Kumbh Mela and the Ardh Kumbh that the Sangam truly comes alive… attracting devotees from all across the country.  The holy sangam is the site for most of the important fairs and festivals, the year round.

Allahabad Fort

This imposing fort was built by emperor Akbar in 1583, on the banks of the holy Sangam.  Today, is occupied by the armed forces and visitors are allowed access around the Patalpuri temple and the ‘Akshaya Vat’ tree. The fort stands on the banks of the Yamuna near the site of confluence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. In its primetime, the fort was unrivalled for its design, construction and craftsmanship.  This huge, majestic fort has three magnificent galleries flanked by high towers.

Ashoka Pillar

This gigantic Ashoka pillar of polished sandstone stands 10.6m high, dating back to around 232BC.  The pillar has several edicts and a Persian inscription of Emperor Jahangir inscribed on it, commemorating his accession to the throne.

Allahabad Museum

It has a fine collection of sculptures and terracotta’s dating back to Gupta period.  The works of Haldar, Sajit Khastgir, Jamini Roy, Nicholas Roerich and thankas of Tibetan Lamas are also exhibited here.

All saints Cathedral (Patthar Girjaghar)

This finest Anglican Cathedral in Asia was designed in Gothic style by Sir William Emerson in 1870 and consecrated in 1887.  Its impressive marble altar with intricate inlay and stained glasswork are noteworthy. This cathedral has been dedicated to the memory of people of all ages and places who have kept their faith in God.  The al Saints Cathedral is one of the finest cathedrals in this part of the country.  Designed more than a century ago by Sri William Emerson, the eminent architect who also designed the Victoria Memorial Kolkata, the cathedral has some truly exceptional stained glass murals.  It is also called Patthar Girja.

Anand Bhawan

It was the ancestral home of the Nehru Family and now houses a fine museum, displaying memorabilia of the Nehru Family.  The grand house is associated with several important events of India’s freedom struggle.

Hanuman Mandir

The temple near the Sangam, enshrines a unique image of Lord hanuman, in a reclining posture.  When the Ganga is in spate, the temple often gets submerged. Other attractions are – Allahabad University, Jawahar Planetarium, Khusro Bagh, Mankameshwar Temple, Public Library, Shankar Viman Mandapam, Swaraj Bhavan etc.

Patalpuri Temple

Within this underground temple, inside the fort, lies the Akshayavat or the immortal tree.  Believed to have been visited by Lord Rama, the temple was also seen by the famous Chinese traveler and writer, Hiuen Tsang during his visit to the place.

Shankar Viman Mandapam

This is a 1300ft. high structure with four floors, and has the idol of Kumari Bhatt, Jagatguru Shankaracharya, Kamakshi Devi (with 51 Shaktipeethas around), Tirupati Balaji (with 108 Vishnus around), and Yogestra Sahastrayoga Linga (with 108 Shivas around).

Minto Park (Madan Mohan Malviya Park)

It is situated near the Saraswati Ghat.  It has a stone memorial with four-lion symbol on top, the foundation of which was laid by Lord Minto in 1910.

Chandra shekhar Azad Park (Alfred Park)

This I the biggest park of Allahabad situated behind the museum.  It was formerly known as Alfred Park.  A huge statue of George V and Victoria were installed in the centre of it where police bands used to play occasionally.  After independence, this park has been renamed as Chandra Shekhar Azad Park and a bust statue of Azad has been erected where he died as a result of an encounter with the police during the British period.  In the centre of the park, a stadium named Mahmana Madan Mohan Malviya has been made where all important matches are played and sports organized.  Public library has also been made in this park which has about 75,000 books, besides a treasure trove of manuscripts and journals.

Mankameshwar Temple

Situated near the Saraswati Ghat, on the banks of Yamuna, this is one of the famous Shiva temples Allahabad.

Khusro Bagh

Khusro, the son of emperor Jehangir and Shah Begam is buried here.  The garden has three mausoleums including that of Jehangir's first wife Shah Begum.

Kumbha Mela

In January and February 2001, Allahabad hosted the Kumbha Mela from January 9 to Feburary, 21, 2001.  During this period, Allahabad became the most populated city of the world and over 30 million people from different parts of the world participated in the Kumbha Mela.  Religious discourses, cultural activities and other events kept the people, at large spellbound during this month long festival and is viewed as the biggest spectacle of faith and symbolic of 'Jagat Kutumbakam' or a 'Global village', wherein different cultures, religions, different schools of thought came together, discussed and shared information and knowledge.  It was an open university on religion.

Ardha Kumbha Mela and Magh Mela

The Ardha or half Kumbha, is held every six years on the banks of the Sangam.  Second only to the Kumbha in sanctity, the Ardha Kumbha also attracts devouts in millions, from all over the world.  The Magh Mela is an annual event held at the Sangam.

Allahabad Map

Allahabad Distance Guide
Allahabad	to	Aligarh	553 Km
Allahabad	to	Agra	470 Km
Allahabad	to	Almora	667 Km
Allahabad	to	Badrinath	917 Km
Allahabad	to	Banda	207 Km
Allahabad	to	Bareilly	471 Km
Allahabad	to	Budaun	460 Km
Allahabad	to	Dehradun	776 Km
Allahabad	to	Etawah	365 Km
Allahabad	to	Faizabad	162 Km
Allahabad	to	Fatehgarh	379 Km
Allahabad	to	Ghazipur	200 Km
Allahabad	to	Gonda	223 Km
Allahabad	to	Gorakhpur	255 Km
Allahabad	to	Haridwar	743 Km
Allahabad	to	Jhansi	406 Km
Allahabad	to	Kanpur	212 Km
Allahabad	to	Lakhimpur	339 Km
Allahabad	to	Lucknow	201 Km
Allahabad	to	Mathura	532 Km
Allahabad	to	Meerut	707 Km
Allahabad	to	Moradabad	570 Km
Allahabad	to	Nainital	592 Km
Allahabad	to	Pithoragarh	649 Km
Allahabad	to	Rampur	94.5 Km
Allahabad	to	Saharanpur	839 Km
Allahabad	to	Shahjahanpur	385 Km
Allahabad	to	Uttar Kashi	850 Km
Allahabad	to	Varanasi	121 Km