Set at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the invisible Sarswati, Allahabad, known as Prayag in ancient times, has been the focal point of devotion for the Hindus since time immemorial. Pilgrims come here from far and wide on their devout pilgrimage in pursuit of peace and salvation. Many visitors also come to this city to have a brush with history. Situated in the largest populated state of Uttar Pradesh, the multi-dimensional city of Allahabad is also known for its colonial era buildings and Mughal tombs.
The atmosphere of Sangam, which is the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati in Allahabad, is filled with excitement when the Hindus’ most renowned fair of Kumbh Mela is held here every 12 years. One of the largest religious congregations in the world, the Kumbh Mela is a crucible of spiritual activities, prayers, rituals, rites and celebration, attracting millions of devotes who take holy dip in the waters to cleanse themselves of the sins. The next Kumbh Mela is scheduled to take place in Allahabad in 2025.
According to Hindu mythology, Kumbh Mela is held in the four holy places where a drop of the nectar of immortality, while being carried by the mythical bird Garuda, fell. Haridwar, Ujjain and Trimbakeshwar, near Nashik in Maharashtra are the other three places which play host to the Kumbh Mela.
The enormous fort built by Mughhal emperor Akbar in 1583 is being used by Indian Army and only the area of the underground Patalpuri Temple and the Akshaya Vat (Undying Banyan Tree) are open to visitors. The third century BC Ashokan Pillar is another attraction.
Named after Prince Khusro (Khusrau), the eldest son of Mughal emeero Jehangir and grandson of Akbar, Khusro Bagh is a large garden in which four Mughal era tombs are located. One of that of Khusrau who rose in rebellion against his father Jehangir in the very beginning of the latter’s reign in 1606 in Lahore. However, Jehagir was able to suppress the rebellion and Khusro was captured, blinded, confined and subsequently killed in 1622 by Shah Jahan who later succeeded his father Jehangir and is famous in history as the builder of Taj Mahal.
Another mausoleum in the Khusro Bagh is that of Shah Begum, Khusru’s mother, Shah Begum was Jehangir’s first wife who committed suicide by swallowing opium because of the ongoing feud between her son and husband. The most attractive of the tombs was commissioned by Nesa Begum, Khusro’s sister. The origin of the fourth one named Tamolon’s Tomb is not known.
Anand Bhawan is the erstwhile ancestral home of the Nehru family three members of which have become the Prime Ministers of India.
A famous landmark in Allahabad, All Saints Cathedral is known for its beautiful architecture. Also known as Patthar Girjaghar (church of stones), the church was designed by British architect William Emerson who had also designed the famous Victoria Memorial in Kolkata.
The longest cable-stayed bridge of India, the New Yamuna Bridge is the youngest attraction to the city of Allahabad. Built over the Yamuna River, it connects Allahabad with Naini.
Situated at Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, formerly Alfred Park, the library is a fine specimen of Gothic architecture and has thousands of books. Legislative assembly sessions were held in this building in British period.
Once called the "Oxford of the East", Allahabad University is the forth oldest university in India established in 1876. Designed by William Emerson the university is known for its sprawling campus and beautiful architecture.
Formerly known as Alfred Park and Company Bagh, the Chandra Shekar Azad Park is spread over an area of 133 acres. It was renamed after great revolutionary and freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad who died fighting the British forces in 1931 at this place. Allahabad Museum is located inside the park.
60 Km from Allahabad, Kaushambi lies on the way to Chitrakoot. Kaushambi has antiquities of centuries and was a famous centre of Buddhism in ancient India. At the time of the Buddha’s death, Ananda, one of his most renowned disciples, regretted that his master was to die in so small a town as Kushinagar (currently in Uttar Pradesh) and mentioned Kaushambi among the six cities where he considered important enough for his master to die in. This proves that Kaushambi was evidently one of the greatest cities of the 5th century BC. Kaushambi was the capital of Vatsa kingdom in ancient India. Today one can find the ruins on the left bank of the Yamuna River.
93 km from Allahabd, Vindhyachal is known for the temple of Vindhyachal Devi (Vindhyavasini), Eight km from Mirzapur, it is one of the Shaktipeeths . Kali khoh temple and Ashtabhuja temple are other important shrines in Vindhyachal.
127 Km from Allahabad, Chitrakoot is associated with Lord Rama. He is said to have stayed here while travelling through the forests during his exile. (Nearest railway station to Chitrakoot is Karvi which is 8 Km away. You can take Mumbai Allahabad Tulsi Express to get to Karv.
Jhunsi, home to temples and ashrams, Arail, a scared place with several temples, Bhita, an ancient fortified city, Sringverpur, known for a temple dedicated to sage Sringi, Upardaha Lake, Kara, once the provincial capital of the Mughals and known for the sacred temple of Kara Devi (Shitala Devi), Prabhasgiri or Prabhosa and Sita Marhi are some of the excursion sites from Allahabad.
How to Reach Allahabad by Air: Varanasi airport is the nearest airport and is 125 km away from Allahabad.
How to Reach Allahabad by Rail: Allahabad is a major railway junction connected with all the main places in India
How to Reach Allahabad by Road: Allahabad is well connected by National highways 2 and 27 to different places in India. Some of the cities and places connected with Allahabad by road are Chunar (125 Km), Sarnath (135), Chitrakoot (127 km), Ayodhya (167 km), Kanpur (200 km), Lucknow (205 km), Khajuraho (294 km) Naimisharanya (298 km), Patna (368 km), Jhansi (375 km), Agra (433 km), Delhi (643 km), Jaipur (673 km), Bhopal (680 km), Kolkata (799 km), Ahmedabad (1207 km) and Mumbai (1444 km)
Finding accommodation in Allahabad is not a problem. The city brims with hotels catering to the needs of everyone. Hotel Kanha Shyam, Presidency, Hotel Yatrik, Hotel Allahabad Regency, Hotel Ajay International, Hotel Anurag, Hotel Finaro, Hotel Kashi, Hotel Kohinoor, Hotel Milan, Hotel Regina, Hotel New Shanti, Hotel Samira, Hotel Surya, Hotel Twins and Hotel Rahi Ilawart are some of the finest hotels in Allahabad.