Prayagraj ( Kingdom of Pilgrims)

Prayagraj, previously known as Allahabad for all practical purposes, is an ancient city having heritage of thousands of years, which dates back to Rishi Bharadwaj and even earlier, and dynamics of modern time as it attracts young brain from all around the country to practice the sharpening of brain.  

City lies at the confluence of two rivers Ganga and Yamuna which have incomprehensible importance in the development Ganga Valley civilization. City has never lost its historical, political, cultural, spiritual and educational importance. At the times of Rishi Bharadwaj more than ten thousand scholars used to be part of teaching learning program of the Vedic period, hence city got popularity as Sangam, the confluence of three rivers Ganga-Yamuna and Saraswati.  

In this blog we will take you though some of the historical, cultural, educational spots to get familiarize with the city as a preparation for your upcoming visit.   

Though, there are couple of domestic flights connecting Prayagraj with the capital city of India, New Delhi, but it is always recommendable to take an overnight train from New Delhi to Prayagraj. Prayagraj Junction is the railway station in most busy railway lines of India i.e. Delhi-Howrah and Howrah-Mumbai. Varanasi is the very famous international tourist destination, which is just 125 Km away from Prayagraj. To reach Prayagraj from Varanasi one can reserve a cab or take a public bus.    

If you are traveling via train the first place you will encounter in Prayagraj is its railway station. It has various stories in its account which include traveling of Faiz, Mirza Ghalib, several freedom movements etc.

 

The first monumental place nearest to Prayagraj railway station (at the walking distance) is Khusaro Bagh which is a large walled garden and burial complex of Royal Mughal family. This is the one and only place from where famous 'Allahabadi Guava' come.  

2) Chowk, as in any other city, is the largest city market and witness of the political and cultural evolution throughout the Muslim and British empire. Numerous freedom fighters were hanged in the first Indian war of Independence on the trees around the squares of chowk. The old church is situated here. The Grand Trunk Road passed through chowk in its early days. The first Prime minister of India, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru was born in this place.  Today Chowk market is a good destination for traders, shoppers and food dilettante. Dushahara Ramlila program are most famous annual attractions.  Its just 3 Km away from Railway station.

Moving through the banks of Yamuna, next destination of our interest would be Minto park, renamed to Madan Mohan Malaviya Park. The other side of road flows the river. The park is a historical site for transfer of power from East India Company to Government of Britain. This place has lost it charm to New Bridge connecting Prayagraj to its neighboring town Naini.   

 

This New (cable-stayed) Yamuna Bridge is popular evening time destination for watching sunrise and sunset. There is also an old double decked Yamuna Bridge build by British Govt for transportation of goods via road and train.

 

The Old Naini Bridge is one of the longest and oldest bridges in India.  It has successfully been in services since 1865.

 

 

It's time for Atheists to take a pause, we are going to enter Mankameshwar Temple which is in very close neighborhood of Minto park. Mankameswar Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can walk to Yamuna river from inside the temple. Unmarried women visit the place in the hope of boon from lord Shiva of a groom of his caliber. Very calming place to be in. 

 

 

Adjacent to Mankameswara Temple is another tourist destination and picnic spot named Saraswati Ghat on bank of River Yamuna. One can take a boat from here directly to Sangam. 

From Saraswati Ghat itself you can get a site of architecturally brilliant Akbar's Qila. This fort is said to be originally built by Ashoka the Great but was repaired by Akbar around 1583. Although the fort is under the administration of Indian Army now, a part of it is open to public. This is considered as one of the must-see tourist attraction of Prayagraj. Apart from the gorgeous appearance of the fort, another thing which allures the tourists is the Ashoka Pillar, which is one of those pillars that carries the edicts. Akbar named the fort Illahabas ("blessed by Allah"), which later became "Allahabad".

 

On the footsteps of Quila and near the river Ganga lies the temple of "Bade Hanuman Ji". It is popularly believed that every monsoon the flood in Ganga river returns after giving a bath to Hanuman Ji. This popular belief is loosing its ground now a days to modernization.  

The one thing that drives tourists from all over the world to Allahabad is Kumbh Mela. This Hindu pilgrim fair is held in four different places in India. The reason behind this large-level celebration is that mythologically believed the Demons and the Gods are battling for the pot of nectar (Amrit Kumbh) and to show respect, the faith holders of Hindu mythology, who belong from every sector of society, draw in large crowds to purify themselves and their souls before entering the realm of god. People visit especially during this time of the year just to witness the grand celebration of Kumbh mela. Mahakumbh is celebrated at a period of 12 years, which attract hundred millions of people to take a bath in the confluence and 'Kalpwas'. Different religions have their legends associated to Kumbh mela.

Harish-Chandra Research Institute is a premier research institute in India. Thrust areas are theoretical physics and mathematics. In addition to being a research institute it one of the best infrastructure in Allahabad. Its 83 acre campus also houses a small jungle which attracts wild life of the locality. This place is situated in Jhunsi town of Prayagraj at approximately 15 Km from Railway station. You can also have a sneak peak of HRI from Sangam. If you are a science scholar, you must find a way and time to visit this beautiful and enthralling place.     

Remaining : Coming soon...

Allahabad High Court.

Allahabad Museum

University of Allahabad (One of the First few universities established by British)

Amitabh Bacchan Sports Club

Aanand Bhavan (Residence of Motilal Nehru in later part of his life)

Chandrashekhar Azad Park (Alfred park).

Patthar Giriaghar (Civil Lines)

Govt Public Library

Hanuman Mandir (Civil Lines)

Haathi Park (Park of children)

Indian Institute of Information Technology, Jhalwa, Prayagraj

Kamdhenu Sweet House (Civil Lines)

Kanha Shyam Hotel (Civil Lines)

Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium (Azad Park)

Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology

Nehru Planetarium (Anand Bhawan)

 

 

Prayag Sangeet Samiti