Allahabad

The modern city of Allahabad is noted for having links with or having produced presidents and premiers, both at the national as well as state levels. From the first prime minister of India - Pt. Nehru to Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar to Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (ex - President) and a plethora of bureaucrats and people who have been adorning gubernatorial positions, Allahabad has remained on the forefront of national importance. Allahabad is the land of the holy sangam where religion, history and culture come together. Legends have it that the Creator god of the trinity, Lord Brahma chose this land for the 'Prakishta Yagna', on which the three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati- would flow in a quiet confluence. Blessed by the gods, that land came to be known as 'Prayag' or 'Allahabad'. A peaceful city and one of the most sacred of pilgrimage centres of India, Lord Brahma referred to as 'Tirth Raj' or the "king of all pilgrimage centres". The place springs to life during religious festivals and fairs, particularly the massive Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years. Come 1575 A.D, Mughal monarch Akbar founded a lavish city and called it 'Allahabad', the abode of god. Over the centuries, Allahabad retained its strategic importance and otherwise too, more so during the Indian independence struggle in the first half of the 20th century. As of now, Allahabad tours are an important entity which witnesses the confluence of history, religion and culture is as magnificent as the sacred rivers that flow through this God-graced land.

Places to visit

• Sangam:
  The sacred Sangam is the confluence of three of the holiest rivers in Hindu mythology - Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. 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 the devout from all across the country.
• Allahabad Fort:
  Built by Emperor Akbar in 1583 A.D., the fort stands on the banks of the Yamuna near the confluence site. In its prime, the fort was unrivalled for its design, construction and craftsmanship. This huge, majestic fort has three magnificent galleries flanked by high towers.
• 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 traveller and writer Hiuen Tsang during his visit to the place.
• Ashoka Pillar:
  This gigantic Ashoka pillar, of polished sandstone stands 10.6 meters high, dating back to 232 BC. The pillar has several edicts and a Persian inscription of Emperor Jahangir inscribed on it, commemorating his accession to the throne.
• Akshayavat:
  The immortal tree within the Patalpuri temple has found mention in the descriptions of several ancient scriptures, writers and historians. The tree stands in a deep niche above an underground shaft, which is said to lead to Triveni. Visitors need permission to visit the Fort, Patalpuri Temple, Ashok Pillar and Akshayavat from Commandant, Ordnance Depot and Fort.
• Hanuman Temple:
  This unique temple at the Sangam is the only one in North India, where the idol of Lord Hanuman is seen in a reclining posture.
• Shankar Viman Mandapam:
  130 ft. high with four floors, it has the idols of Kumaril Bhatt, Jagatguru Shankaracharya, Kamakshi Devi (with 51 Shaktipeethas around), Tirupati Balaji (With 108 Vishnus around), Yogshastra Sahastrayoga Linga (with 108 Shivas around).
• Mankameshwar Temple:
  Situated near Saraswati Ghat, on the banks of Yamuna, this is one of the famous Shiva temples of Allahabad.
• Minto Park (Madan Mohan Malviya Park):
  It is situated near Saraswati Ghat. It has a stone memorial with a four-lion symbol on top, the foundation of which was laid by Lord Minto in 1910.
• Anand Bhawan:
  The erstwhile ancestral home of the Nehru family, the Bhawan has witnessed several historic events of the freedom struggle. The main building houses a museum which displays the memorabilia of the Nehru family. Visiting time: 9.30am: 5 p.m. Ticket- Rs. 2/- Closed on Mondays and Govt. holidays.
• Swaraj Bhawan:
  The old Anand Bhawan, which in the year 1930 was donated to the Nation by Moti Lal Nehru, who also renamed it Swaraj Bhawan. Open 9.30 am- 1.00 pm, 2.00 pm - 5.30 pm. Monday Closed.
• Jawahar Planetarium:
  For a celestial trip of the scientific kind, visit the Planetarium. It's worth every moment. Visiting time: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Ticket Rs. 5/- Closed on Mondays & 4th Thursday of the month.
• Bharadwaj Ashram:
  Associated with Rishi Bharadwaj, it is believed that Lord Ram visited this Ashram during his exile.
  All Saints Cathedral: Dedicated to the memory of people of all ages and places who have kept their faith in God. The All Saints Cathedral is one of the finest cathedrals in this part of the country. Designed more than a century ago, by Sir William Emerson, the eminent architect who also designed the Victoria Memorial, Calcutta, the Cathedral has some truly exceptional stained glass murals. It is also called Patthar Girja.
• Beni Madhav Temple:
  It is an old Laxmi Narain temple in Daraganj locality. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is believed to have paid his homage here.
• Khusru Bagh:
  This garden houses the tomb of Khusru, son of Salim and Shah Begum.
• Other Attractions:
  Alopi Devi Temple, Allahabad University, Archaeological Museum, Allahabad Museum, Hanumat Niketan, St. Joseph's Cathedral, High Court, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, Children's Park (Bal Udyan), Shiva Koti, Nepali Temple, Kalyani Devi Temple, Nagvasuki Temple, Nehru Park, Saraswati Ghat Park, Bharadwaj Ashram Park.

Access

Allahabad is very conveniently connected to the rest of the country by comfortable and easy rail and road connections.

• Air: Allahabad Bamruli Airport receives domestic flights from the nation. Other neighbouring airports are Varanasi, Lucknow and Kanpur.
• Rail: Allahabad is an important rail junction. Trains from all metros and major cities cross Allahabad. Delhi, Calcutta, Patna, Gwalior, Meerut, Indore, Madras, Jaipur, Varanasi, Bombay, Guwahati, Dehradun and many other important cities of the country is well connected by rail.
• Road: Allahabad, on National Highway 2 and 27, is connected to the rest of the country by good motorable all-weather roads.