Being a city with a rich history, Allahabad offers many sightseeing options to the tourists. The Sangam, situated 7 km from Civil Lines, is the meeting point of three holy rivers-the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. It becomes a hub of activity during the Kumbh Mela, which is held here after every 12 years. The Allahabad Fort, built by Akbar in AD 1583, is located near the Sangam. The Ashoka Pillar, Saraswati Kup (a well, said to be the source of the river Saraswati), Patalpuri Temple, Akshaya Vat and Jodhabai Palace are located inside the Fort. The Anand Bhawan, the ancestral residence of the Nehrus, houses one of the finest museums of India. The Swaraj Bhawan, lying close to Anand Bhawan, is the house where the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born. The Khusrau Bagh is a large garden where the tombs of Khusrau, his sister, and his Rajput mother are located. The Hanuman Mandir, in the vicinity of the Allahabad Fort, is renowned for the supine image of the monkey-god Hanuman. The Allahabad Museum has a rich collection of paintings of Nicholas Roerich, Rajasthani miniatures, terracotta figurines, coins and stone sculptures from the second century BC to modern times.
Sangam
The Sangam is one of the most sacred places of the Hindus. Situated around 7 km from Civil Lines, it is the meeting point of three holy rivers-Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Pandas (priests) can be seen here perched on small platforms performing puja and assisting the devout in their ritual ablutions in the shallow waters. The Sangam becomes a hub of activity after every 12 years when it hosts the Kumbh Mela.
Allahabad Fort
The strategic location of Prayag proved decisive in motivating Akbar to build the Allahabad Fort near the Sangam in AD 1583. One is awed by the art, architecture, design, and craftsmanship of the fort. The Indian army now uses the fort and only a part of it is open to the visitors. This huge, majestic fort has three magnificent galleries flanked by high towers. Visitors are allowed to see the Ashoka Pillar, Saraswati Kup (a well, said to be the source of the river Saraswati), and Jodhabai Palace.
Patalpuri Temple and Akshaya Vat
Patalpuri Temple and Akshaya Vat
This is an underground temple located inside the Allahabad Fort. The temple is famous as the place where Lord Rama worshipped once. It also finds mention in the travelogue of the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, who visited India in AD 644. The famous Akshaya Vat (literally, Immortal Tree), one of the most revered tree of the Hindus, is also located within the temple.
A permit from the Ordnance Depot or the Tourist Office is required for visiting the Patalpuri Temple and the Akshaya Vat.
Anand Bhawan
Anand Bhawan is the ancestral home of the Nehrus. Here one is offered a glimpse of the lifestyle of the family that retained for a long time the status of the most important political dynasty in India. Anand Bhawan now houses one of the finest museums of India and a memorabilia of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
Swaraj Bhawan
Swaraj Bhawan, lying close to Anand Bhawan, is the house where the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born. Built by Pt. Moti Lal Nehru, the building was donated to the nation in 1930 to be used as the headquarters of the Congress Committee. Today, the Swaraj Bhawan houses the Jawaharlal Nehru Trust.
Khusrau Bagh
This is a large garden where the tombs of Khusrau, his sister, and his Rajput mother are located. Khusrau was the son of emperor Jahangir who had made many unsuccessful attempts to assassinate his father and take the reigns in his hands. However, he was murdered by his own brother Shahjahan in the end.
Hanuman Mandir
The Hanuman Mandir is a unique temple in the vicinity of the Allahabad Fort. It is renowned for the supine image of the monkey-god Hanuman. This is the only temple to have Hanuman in a reclining posture. Though a very small temple, it is thronged by hundreds of devotees' everyday.
Allahabad Museum
Located near Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, the key attractions of the Allahabad Museum are the paintings of Nicholas Roerich, Rajasthani miniatures, terracotta figurines, coins and stone sculptures from the second century BC to modern times. The museum has eighteen galleries and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Monday.
Weekend Trips/Excursions
The vicinity of Allahabad is dotted with many places of tourist attractions, both historical and religious. Jhusi (also Pratisthanpuri) is a serene place dotted by ashrams and temples. Barely 9 km from Allahabad, it is a hot favourite among the tourists. Another notable place is Kaushambi (62 km), which finds mention even in the Mahabharata. Bhita (20 km) is an archaeological site on the banks of the Yamuna River. Shringverpur (40 km) was once the capital city of the kingdom of Nishadraj. Kara (70 km) is renowned for the Temple of Shitala Devi. The Upardaha Lake (44 km) and the Tons River Aqueduct (43 km) are two other attractions in the vicinity of Allahabad.
Jhusi (Pratisthanpuri)
With its many ashrams and temples, Jhusi (Pratisthanpuri) is a tranquil spot that offers peace of mind to the visitor. It is barely 9 km from Allahabad, and can be reached by taxis, buses, boats, etc.
Bhita
Bhita (20 km) is an archaeological site on the banks of the Yamuna River. Recent excavations at this site have brought to light the remains of an ancient city dating back to 300 BC. A museum housing stone and metal seals and various terracotta statues is also located here.
Shringverpur
Shringverpur is a historical site located at a distance of around 40 km from Allahabad. It was once the capital city of the kingdom of Nishadraj (King of Boatmen). Legend has it that Lord Rama stayed here overnight while going to the forest. Before steering Rama across the Ganga in his boat, his feet were washed by Nishadraj.
Kaushambi
Kaushambi (62 km) is a place traditionally associated with the Mahabharata. The city was once a great Buddhist centre. Lord Buddha is believed to have visited Kaushambi twice to deliver discourses. The ruins of an ancient fort and a monastery bear witness to the antiquity of the place.
Kara
Situated on the banks of the Ganges at a distance of around 70 km from Allahabad, Kara's claim to fame is the Temple of Shitala Devi. Once the provincial capital of the Mughals, the landscape of Kara is dotted with ruins that extend up to 3.5 km along the Ganges. Apart from the temple dedicated to Shitala Devi, the Jama Masjid, the Samadhi of Sant Maluk Das, Hanuman Temple, Kshetrapal Bhairav Temple, Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple, Dargah of Khwaja Karak and Shivala Maharishi Ashram are the main attractions of Kara.
Tons River Aqueduct
The Tons River Aqueduct is a popular picnic spot situated around 43 km from Allahabad.
Upardaha Lake
It is a protected lake just 44 km away from Allahabad.
Events and Festivals
The Kumbh Mela is the greatest of north Indian festival-fairs and it has exerted a mesmeric influence over the mind and the imagination of the ordinary Indian from time immemorial. It is held once every three years by rotation, on the banks of holy rivers-the Godavari in Nasik, the Shipra in Ujjain, the Ganga in Haridwar and the Sangam in Allahabad. The Purna (complete) Kumbh, the biggest and the most auspicious fair, which falls once every twelve years, is always at Allahabad. When the particular configuration of the Kumbh at Allahabad falls on a Monday, it is called the Somvati Amavasya and the spiritual benefits increase manifold. The Purna Kumbh is followed by the Ardh Kumbh in importance and this fair falls every six years when millions of devout congregate at Allahabad on the banks of the holy river, braving the hazards of cold, disease, hunger and a myriad other privations, to gain spiritual salvation and contentment.
Other fairs include the Magh Mela, which is celebrated in the month of February.
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