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Emperor Akbar founded this city in 1575 and called it by name of Illahabas, which has now become modern Allahabad. The monarch realised its strategic importance as a waterway landmark in North India and also built a magnificent fort on the banks of the holy Sangam. A historian's paradise, the city has a number of secrets still hidden amongst the various ruins which dot parts of the city. Allahabad is also popularly known for being one of four sites of the mass Hindu pilgrimage Kumbh Mela, the others being Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. The festival is organised on the confluence of River Ganges, Yamuna and invisible Saraswati, popularly called the Triveni Sangam. The holy city is famous for its religious tourism. Today a bustling metropolis, which has maintained a steady growth of progress and development, it has, however, not lost touch with its rich past of glory. |
How to Get There:
By Air: Allahabad has a small airport and is connected only to Delhi.
By Rail: Allahabad is situated on the trunk train route from Delhi to Kolkata and from Mumbai to Kolkata, so it is well-connected by trains. Over 50 trains stop at Allahabad.
By Road: Allahabad lies on two national highways and is very well connected by road.
Getting Around: Hire a cyclerickshaw. It is the cheapest, best and most common means of transport. You could opt for an autorickshaw also.
Where to Stay: Allahabad has no shortage of accommodation. Some of the better place are: Hotel Yatrik; Hotel Allahabad Regency; Hotel Kanha Shyam and Hotel Presidency. Other equally good options are Grand Continental Hotel, Hotel Ajay International, Hotel Milan Palace, Hotel Samrat, Hotel Yatrik, Hotel Allahabad Regency, Hotel Finaro, Hotel Prayag & Hotel Presidency.
Hotel Taoosi, Hotel Tepso, Hotel Vilas, Mayur Guest House, New Sangam Hotel, Royal Hotel and Santhosh Palace are budget class.
What to See: The Sangam: Almost ten million of pilgrims, tourists, ascetics, sadhu/sant (holy men) visit Prayag at the time of month long Kumbha for taking holy dip at sangam and perform religious rituals and ceremonies.
Temples: Shivkoti Mahadev Temple; Someshwar Mahadev Temple; Patalpuri Temple;
Dashaswamedh Temple, Bare Hanumanji Temple; Jhusi-Tallest Hanuman Mandir. The temple is an unsually tall Hanuman diety along with 108 Shivalingas and Mankameshwar Mandir.
Others: Allahabad Fort; Anand Bhavan. Learn about the intricacies of Indian struggle for freedom during early 20th century; Allahabad Planetarium; Allahabad Museum; Pratisthan Pur, (Jhusi); Patthar Girja; Company Bagh (Alfred Park or Chandrashekhar Azad Park);Minto Park; Khusro Bagh; Benimadhav Temple; Bharadwaj Ashram and Nag Vasuki Mandir.
Where to Eat: Connoisseur Restaurant; Kanha Shyam & El Chico are pricey. McDonald's and Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) are universal eateries; Netram; Lok Nath; Madras Cafe and Loknath are popular.
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