Prayagraj literally means place of a sacrifice in Sanskrit. Also known as Allahabad, Prayagraj is perched on Triveni Sangam, where the three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati confluence. Prayagraj Triveni Sangam holds great significance in Hindu religion as it is one of the four pilgrimage venues of mass Hindu gathering, Kumbh Mela in India. As per Hindu Mythology, a holy bath at Sangam washes away all of one’s sins and helps in attaining Moksha, which means to get free from the cycle of rebirth.
The ancient name of Prayagraj is Prayag. It is believed to be the place where Lord Brahma, the Creator of Universe, offered his first sacrifice after creating the world. Prayag was renamed as Allahaba (now called Prayagraj) by Emperor Akbar in 1575. Realizing the strategic importance of the city as a waterway landmark in North India, the magnificent Prayagraj fort was built by Akbar on the banks of the holy Sangam. Over the centuries that followed, Prayagraj remained on the forefront of national importance. Influenced by religious, cultural and historical ethos, it gave rise to several poets, writers and scholars. It is also called the City of Prime Ministers as 7 out of 13 prime ministers of India belong to Prayagraj.
Top 5 Tourists Attractions at Prayagraj (Allahabad) | Best Places to Visit in Prayagraj, India
There are several historical monuments and buildings in Prayagraj telling the sagas of its importance in Indian history and culture since time immemorial.
Sangam: It is the foremost attraction of Prayagraj. The light yellow color holy water of the Ganga merges with the greenish color holy water of the Yamuna, resulting in a stunning view for the visitors. River Saraswati is hoped to follow underneath the earth and contacts the other 2 rivers at the confluence.
1. Allahabad Fort: It is an epitome of exemplary Mughal architecture. Built on the bank of holy Sangam, it was the largest of Akbar’s forts.
2. Khusro Bagh: Built in the memory of Khusrau, the elder brother of Emperor Shah Jahan who built Taj Mahal, the garden is widely famous for renowned ‘Allahabadi Gauvas’. This walled historic garden is home to the mausoleum of Khusro.
4. University of Allahabad Campus: The 4th oldest formal university of India, it was the foremost center of learning in the country in the early 20th century. It houses some of the most beautiful monuments built in Gothic style and a zoological museum.
5. Sunset and Sunrise at Yamuna Bridge: It is a perfect place to stroll or cycle around at dawn and dusk to witness the changing hues of sky and water with the play of sun rays. Many tourists take sunset boat ride down to the Yamuna.
Every nook and corner of Prayagraj (Allahabad) and its vicinity is rich in historical evidences. Shrungverpur, Allahabad Museum, Anand Bhawan and Alfred Park are some of the inevitable testimony of recorded history.
Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Kumbh is considered the best time to visit the divine city of Prayagraj (Allahabad). Organized with great enthusiasm once in every twelve years, Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj is the much awaited festival for pilgrims and saints as well as tourists to participate and witness the vibrant traditions of Hinduism. As per the records, previous Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj has set a record of the largest gathering in history. In the year 2013 alone, 120 million people visited to celebrate the powerful planetary alignment bringing dramatic changes in the destiny of humanity.
Prayagraj Kumbh Mela 2024
The much awaited Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj is at the doorstep now. It will be celebrated with great pomp and show from 15 January 2014 to 8 march 2024. Government and private sectors have joined together to make Maha Kumbh Mela 2024 a grand success. While the government has proposed to set up additional mobile towers and make arrangements of temporary night shelters and toilet facilities for pilgrims, private tour agencies are offering luxury Kumbh Mela camps for tourists and pilgrims who wish to have a cozy pilgrimage tour without compromising on their comforts.
Kumbh Camps India combine camping and cultural activities by providing super deluxe Swiss camps for accommodation and arranging cultural activities such as devotional singing, religious assemblies, mass feeding of holy men, women and poor. They also provide escorted guide tours as well as arrange meetings with saints and sadhus to brief about Kumbh Mela.
Location and Accessibility of Prayagraj
- Prayagraj is one of the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh and is located on the banks of holy Sangam. It is:
- 628 km from New Delhi, the national capital of India
- 202 km from Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh
Prayagraj (Allahabad) is well connected to other cities:
By Air: Nearest airport is Bamrauli airport and there are regular flights to and from major metros like Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow.
By Rail: There is a fine network of rails connecting Prayagraj to major cities of the country
By Road: There are regular inter-city bus services between Prayagraj and other cities, including New Delhi.
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