At a glance Allahabad is located in eastern Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of the River Ganga. Land of the Holy Sangam.The city of Allahabad is one place where the remains of the dead take rest and leave for the ethereal abode, and get rid of their eternal cycle of birth and rebirth. Allahabad city is also the land where some of India's most charismatic people have either taken birth or made it their permanent abode.
About the city 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 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. 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.Three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati A dip in the Ganga and boat ride on its serene waters. The Kumbh Mela. The experience of watching nearly two million people dunk themselves thrice in the river believing that it will take them to heaven can be life changing, indeed. Allahabad does not have much to offer in terms of entertainment avenues for kids. There are a couple of multiplexes and shopping malls which offer the usual play grounds and movies. Being a city steeped in history, you could take your kids on a tour of the Ananda Bhavan, the Nehru family estate which is now a museum. It was at this house that Indira Gandhi was born, and it was here that many discussions about the freedom struggle took place.
How to reach By Air Allahabad does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airports are at Varanasi, which is 147 km away, and Lucknow airport is further ahead at 210 km from Allahabad. The Bamrauli Airport, 15 km from the city, has flights to Delhi, Kolkata and Lucknow. By Rail Allahabad is situated on the Delhi-Kolkata route and can be reached from any part of India by rail or bus. It is connected with Delhi and Kolkata by some of the fastest trains in India like Rajdhani, Magadh, and Shramjeevi. The average time taken from Delhi is 10 hours, Kolkata 15 hours, and Mumbai 24 hours. Road: Allahabad has two main bus stands: Civil Lines on MG Marg and Leader Road. Buses to Varanasi (140 km), Lucknow (220 km) and Gorakhpur (298 km) leave from Civil Lines. Buses to Kanpur (195 km), Agra (425km) and Delhi (643 km) operate from Leader Road. Water: You may ride on a boat in the holy river waters but commercialised transportation along the river route is definitely not the best way to travel. Getting Around: Auto and cycle rickshaws are available in plenty in and around the city. Autorickshaws are not always metered and rates vary with distance and time. For short distance travel, cycle rickshaws are recommended.
Distances 18 km from Bhita 50 km from Garhwa 63 km from Kaushambi 130 km from Chitrakoot
Best Seasons The climate of Allahabad city is one of the extreme types with annual range of temperature differing by around 12°C. The temperature varies from a maximum of 45.6°C to a minimum of 1.1°C. The weather is one of the finest in the month of January and February. Annual rainfall is 1935.5 mm and the maximum being 914.7 mm (August) and minimum 68.3 mm (December). Monsoon touches Allahabad by 15th of June. Thus the best time to visit Allahabad is from the month of November to February. In case you are planning your trip to Allahabad city in summers than the cotton clothing will be apt. In case of winters woolens are required. Avoid the summer months (April-June) since northern India heats up immensely making life difficult. Temperature may soar up to 45 C accompanied by hot winds called Loo. The rainy season lasts from June to September. So the best time to visit this pilgrim centre would be between October and March.
Places in and around 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.Allahabad 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 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. 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 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. Kumbh Mela