Best Places to visit Prayagraj, Top Attractions & Best Time to Visit
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh contains the city of Prayagraj, which was originally known as Allahabad. Prayagraj is well-known for Triveni Sangam, or the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. It is reminiscent of everything that is holy and spiritual in Hinduism. Constructed on the location of the former town of Prayag, Prayagraj has hosted the Maha Kumbh Mela, the biggest Hindu assembly on the banks of the Sangam, for ages. There is more to Prayagraj than just its religion, even though the Sangam city is frequently overlooked in favour of more tourist-friendly destinations.
The city of Allahabad was formerly known as Prayag or Prayagraj. Yag means "devotion," and Pra means "first." Prayag also represents the confluence of the Saraswati, Yamuna, and Ganga rivers. Emperor Akbar, who was impressed with the area following the Mughal invasion, gave the city the name Ilahabas, which translates to "Abode of God." His grandson, Emperor Shah Jahan, changed the city's name to Allahabad.
Triveni Sangam, a popular destination in Prayagraj for both visitors and locals throughout the year, is one of the best locations to go if you're spiritually inclined (and even if you're not, because this place demands a visit). Every twelve years, millions of pilgrims from all over the world come here to participate in the religious event known as the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Another historically significant monument that has been designated as a UNESCO heritage site is the Allahabad Fort. This fort, which was constructed under Akbar's rule, is also a superb illustration of Mughal craftsmanship and curation.
The Anand Bhavan, All Saints Cathedral, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, and Allahabad Museum are some of the other well-liked tourist destinations in Allahabad.
The Hindu text Mahabharata refers to Prayagraj as Kaushambi, the location of the capital established by the Kuru monarchs of Hastinapur. Under Jahangir's leadership, it served as the Mughals' regional capital as well. You will have a fresh perspective on Prayagraj after visiting because of the sites' abundance of history, legacy, and tales.
Ganga - The Soul of India
After flowing across nearly all of North India after descending from the Himalayas, the Ganga slows down close to Allahabad and joins the Yamuna, which travels a similar path just north of the Ganga. The 'Triveni Sangam' is one of the holiest places for Hindus, where two actual rivers and one mythological river (the Saraswati) converge. These rivers are now a part of Allahabad residents' daily lives.
Among the city's most breathtaking sights are the serene Ghats, leisurely sunsets, and the daily aartis at the riverbanks. There are many temples, forts and monuments belonging to all time periods built along the banks of the Ganga and this is a testament to the undying spirit and the immense importance the river has in Indian life.
History of Prayagraj
The Puran, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata all make frequent reference to Allahabad. According to Hindu mythology, at the beginning of creation, Lord Bramha selected a piece of land on Earth to carry out a Yajna. Prayag was the name of this location.
The Chinese writer Huien Tsang also makes mention of the city of Allahabad in his writings. The British took control of Allahabad in 1801, when the Nawab of Oudh turned it over to them. The British thereafter exploited it for military purposes. The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 has a significant connection to the city of Allahabad. The city was then combined with Punjab. Later, Allahabad became the new capital of India's Northwest Provinces.
Tribes have always had an impact on this culturally diverse city, and they have attempted to take it over at different times. At one point or another, the Marathas, the Mughals, and the British all attempted to make their imprint on the region.
The Heart of the Hindi Culture
Many ancient texts, including the Vedas, Mahabharat, and Ramayana, allude to Allahabad as Prayag. It is thought to be the second-oldest city in India. It is a cultural centre in North India and has long been the epicentre of scholarly, intellectual, and spiritual activities. This city, which is well-known for its clean and beautiful Hindi, has produced many outstanding poets and authors for the nation.
The town's culture has fully embraced its Hindu, Muslim, and Christian rulers over the years, and the city's varied architectural styles reflect this historical convergence. As citizens now equally belong to all three, ancient temples lie next to British gardens and Mughal forts.
Kumbh Mela
By far the largest gathering of people on the planet is the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. There are four towns in India that host Kumbh Melas: Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain. However, the one in Allahabad is far larger than any other. An estimated 120 million (12 cr) people attended the 2013 Kumbh Mela, which took place over a minimum of 10 km by 4 km area, to give you a sense of the event's magnitude.
Although the Kumbh Mela is primarily a religious gathering, there is plenty to see and do for visitors. It is an experience in and of itself to stroll about the mela, relax on the riverbanks, and swim in Sangam. You can explore the street food that is plentiful during the mela, go one of the hundreds of ashrams and listen to the sermons, or simply marvel at the magnitude and scope of the human assembly. This is one of the most amazing occasions to experience countryside India in its truest form.
The next major Kumbh mela is scheduled for 2025, after the last one was held in 2013. If you can't wait until then, though, you could choose to go during the 2019 Ardh-Kumbh (semi-Kumbh) mela, which is quite large in scope. Otherwise, you can go to the annual Magh mela, albeit to get a sense of what the actual Kumbh mela looks like, you should magnify the scale by ten.
Places to visit in Prayagraj 1st day
Day 1: Take a bus, train or aeroplane to Allahabad. To unwind and get rid of your vacation fatigue, head to the hotel. Visit the Hanuman Mandir, one of the city's most well-known temples, after lunch. Visit the Triveni Sangam, the most visited tourist destination and one of the holiest places for Hindus, in the late afternoon. Seeing the great Ganga Aarti on Ganga Ghat will also require you to stay a bit longer, but be ready for a crowd to arrive because it's a very popular pastime for both visitors and pious locals. At night, you may take in the views of the city and maybe sample some of the local cuisine at one of the many street markets that are well-known for their fried appetisers and desserts.
Places to visit in Prayagraj day 2
Day 2: Get out early to see Akbar's 1583 construction of the Allahabad Fort. This fort is one of Allahabad's most exquisite structures, despite the fact that the army uses the most of it and just a little portion is accessible to civilians. The fort's grounds also house the haloed Akshaya Vat, or immortal banyan tree. After lunch, visit Anand Bhavan, which was constructed by Motilal Nehru and is the ancestral house of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Inside the compound lies the Jawahar Planetarium, which is worth seeing. Today, Anand Bhavan is a museum that portrays the Nehru-Gandhi family's life and times.
Places to visit in Prayagraj day 3
Day 3: In the morning, depart for Patthar Girija, also called the All Saint's Cathedral. Anyone who want to feel closer to God is welcome to visit this cathedral, regardless of their faith. Before lunch, stop by the Allahabad Museum to learn more about the rich history of this area. Visit Madan Mohan Malviya (Minto) Park in the evening, where the British monarch was given authority by the East India Company, establishing India as a British colony. Take a bus, train or aeroplane to the departure location.
Best Time To Visit Prayagraj
The winter months of October through March are the ideal times to visit Allahabad because of the cold, nice weather for touring. Even though Allahabad is reachable all year round, it is advisable to avoid the summer months when temperatures can rise excessively. The Ghats might not be reachable during the monsoon, and taking a river bath is prohibited.
According to the Hindu calendar, the Magh Mela usually takes place between mid-January and early March, at which time thousands of people go to the town to bathe in the sacred Sangam. However, it is important not to miss the Maha Kumbh mela, which takes place in the same months once every twelve years.
