Area : 63.07 Sq.kms.
Altitude : 1022365
Season : November-March Area:
Allahabad is one of the sacred cities of Hinduism and also one of
the oldest in India. Formerly called Prayag, in commemoration of a
sacrifice by Lord Brahma Allahabad stands at the confluence of two
of India’s holiest rivers the Ganga and the Yamuna. The Sangam is
the venue of many sacred fairs and rituals and attracts thousands of
pilgrims throughout the year. This number swells to millions during
the Kumbh Mela. A third river Saraswati which is believed to flow
underground towards the Sangam gives the confluence its other name
Triveni (confluence of three).
In Hindu mythology its status of ‘Tirth Raj’ or the king of all
pilgrimage centres was bestowed by Lord Brahma the creator Godn of
Hindu Trinity who performed “ Prakrista Yagna” at the confluence of
the three holy rivers the Gnaga the Yamuna and the mystical
Saraswati. Recorded evidence also exists in the revered
Scriptures-the Vedas and the grand epics the Ramayana and the
Mahabharata as also in the Puranas-of this holy place called ‘Prayag’.
In 1575 AD, the Mughal Emperor Akbar founded a new city by the name
of Illahabas which has now become modern Allahabad. Realizing its
strategic importance as a waterway landmark in North India Akbar
built a magnificent fort on the banks of the holy ‘Sangam’. Every
12th year the famous Kumbh Mela is held here on the banks of the
holy sangam. The city was an important cantonment during the British
Raj when it functioned as the capital of the state and has some
beautiful remnants of colonial architecture. In the early 2oth
century Allahabad University was the foremost centre of learning in
the country. It was also the nerve centre of activities during the
Freedom Movement.
Places of attraction:
Sangam: The confluence of the Ganga , Yamuna and mythical
Saraswati. The waters of the two rivers are of different colours and
their meeting point is visible. Boats are available for visitors.
Sunrise and sunset can be spectacular here.
Fort: The fort began in 1583 was the largest of Akbar’s forts
stands on the northern bank of the Yamuna near the confluence with
the Ganges. It has three massive gateways and 7 mts. high
brick-walls flanked by high towers seen to advantage from across the
river. The army presently uses the massive fort built by Akbar and
only a limited area is open to visitors.
Swaraj Bhawan and Anand Bhawan : In 1930 Moti Nehru donated
this house to the nation to be used as the headquarters of the
Congress Committee. Indira Gandhi was born here. Anand Bhawan was
the home of the Nehru family. Today it has been turned into a fine
museum which contains many interesting items relating to the Nehru
family.
Next to Anand Bhawan stands Swaraj Bhawan given to the nation by
Motilal Nehru. Here Motilal Nehru lived until 1930.
Chandra Shekar Azad Park: Adjacent to the museum this
splendid park was once known as Company Bagh.It has some fine
colonial buildings including a public library.
Patthar Girja or All Saint’s Cathedral: This magnificent
cathedral designed by Sir William Emerson is the finest of
Allahabad’s many churches dating to colonial times. Its stained
glass panels are particularly beautiful.
Patalpuri Temple & Undying Tree: A small door in the fort
leads to the Patalpuri temple which houses ‘Undying Banyan
Tree’.Also known as Akshai Veta this tree is mentioned by Xuan Zhang
, who tells of pilgrims sacrificing their lives by leaping to their
deaths from it in order to seek salvation.
Hanuman Tempel: Near the Sangam this popular temple is
unusual because the idol of Hanuman is reclining rather than
Upright. It is said that each year when the Ganges rises during
floods it raises that high to touch the feet of the sleeping Hanuman
before receding.When the Ganga is in spate this temple gets
submerged.
Nag Basuki temple:This temple in Daraganj is mentioned in the
Puranas and is on the bank of the Ganges north of the railway bridge
is dedicated to Nagraj Basuki. Adjacent to the temple is a unique
big statue of Bhishmapitamah in reclining posture.
Museums
Allahabad Museum: The museum has a good collection of stone
sculptures especially of the Gupta era. It has galleries devoted to
local archaeological finds including terracotta figurines from
Kausambi a fine collection of Rajasthani miniatures coins and
paintings by Nicholas Roerich. It also has a large room of artifacts
donated by the Nehru family including all sorts of ridiculous items
presented to Nehru while he was prime minister.
Kausambi Museum: It contains various artefacts from kausambi
including pottery,Terracotta figurines, coins, beads and bangles.
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