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Allahabad

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Allahabad is one of the holiest city of India situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

[edit] Understand

Allahabad is among the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh. Hindu mythology has it that for the Prakrishta Yaina, Lord Brahma, the creator God of the Trinity, chose a land on earth, on which the three rivers would flow in to a quiet confluence. Brahma also referred to it as Tirth Raj or the King of all pilgrimage centres. Recorded evidence also exists in the revered scriptures (the Vedas and the grand epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as also in the Puranas) of this holy place formerly called Prayag. Allahabad stands at the confluence of two of India's holiest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna. Sangam, as the confluence is called, is the venue of many sacred fairs and rituals, and attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. This number swells to millions during the world-famous Kumbh Mela. An annual Magh Mela is also held in Allahabad around the Sangam areas in the month of January (Magh is the name of month in Hindu calendar). A third mythical Saraswati river, believed to flow underground towards the Sangam, gives the confluence its other name, Triveni.

Emperor Akbar founded this city in 1575 and called it by name of Illahabas, which has now become modern Allahabad. The monarch realized its strategic importance as a waterway landmark in North India and also built a magnificent fort on the banks of the holy Sangam.

Over the centuries that followed, Allahabad remained on the forefront of national importance, more so during the days of the Indian independence struggle. The chequered history of Allahabad with its religious, cultural and historical ethos also gave rise to several renowned scholars (M. N. Saha, Harishchandra, Ravindra Khattree, Amar Nath Jha), poets (Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Mahadevi Verma, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Sumitra Nandan Panth), writers (Mahadevi Verma, Ramkumar Verma, Jagdish Gupta), thinkers (Purusottam Das Tandon), statesmen and leaders (Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlala Nehru, Murli Manohar Joshi, Amitabh Bachchan).

The city being an important cantonment during the British Raj has some beautiful remnants of colonial architecture. In the early 20th century, Allahabad University was the foremost center of learning in the country. Allahabad, today is an important city where history, culture and religion create a confluence, much like the sacred rivers that caress this God-graced land.

Allahabad used to have a thriving industrial suburb (Naini) till the 1980s, but then those public sector units started closing down one by one, forcing entire generations of young educated Allahabadis to migrate out of the city in search of work. Today, Allahabad is slowly inching along in its dream to be an IT hub. And the government adminsitrative offices remain alive and kicking.

In Allahabad, you can enjoy

  • The politeness of "Aap" and "Hum" (the singular "you" and "I" is rarely used).
  • The subtle sense of humour of the person on the street
  • The fun of walking and travelling on rickshaws

[edit] Get in

Best way to reach Allahabad, if you are coming from outside India, is to take a direct flight to Delhi and then take one of the numerous connecting trains from Delhi to Allahabad. The Kolkata Rajdhani express, though a better train, lands at a very odd hour in Allahabad (2343 hrs IST) from Delhi which can be inconvenient for Allahabad being a really quiet place at night. Best train from Delhi to Allahabad is the PrayagRaj Express (Train No. 2418) which leaves from New Delhi Railway Station at 2130 hrs IST and arrives in Allahabad at 0630 hrs IST next day. The train runs every day.

[edit] By plane

There is a direct flight to Allahabad offered by Jetlite (fomerly Air Sahara) and Indian Airlines from Delhi. The nearest better-connected airport is Varanasi, 120 kms away (2.5 hours by road on NH-2).

[edit] By train

Allahabad is situated on the trunk train route from Delhi to Kolkata and from Mumbai to Kolkata, so it is well-connected by trains. Innumerable trains stop at Allahabad. The city has four railway stations, Daragang (near the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna), Prayag (near the University), Rambagh (city centre), and Allahabad Junction (the main station). In addition, another temparary railway station known as Prayagraj (to be distinguished from Prayag) is used during important religious festivals for the better management and control of extra pilgrim traffic on those occasions.

[edit] By bus

Allahabad is on NH2 and NH27 and is, therefore, well connected by road. Several buses ply to and from nearby cities and towns.

[edit] Get around

Hire a cyclerickshaw. It is the cheapest, best and most widely available means of transport. You will have to haggle for the prices, though.

Auto Rickshaws(3-Wheelers) are also a cheap modes of travel inside the city.

City buses are available on certain routes but their arrivals and deaprtures are unpredictable.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit] Sangam

A dip in the holy Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati is a must for the spiritually inclined. Sangam is a Sanskrit word for confluence. It is a sacred holy site for Hindus. According to Vedic literature and myths it is called Triveni Sangam because three rivers meet up here namely the holy Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati which is believed to be flowing beneath the surface. At the time of churning of sea (Samudra Manthan) by Gods (Suras) and the Demons (Asuras) few drops of amrita (holy nectar that makes a mortal immortal) fell at four different parts of the subcontinent during a fight between Gods and Demons over it. That places are Hardwar, Nasik, Prayag and Ujjain and are considered holy and MahaKumbha Mela is organised once in 12 years. Billions 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. Also Magh Mela is organised annually on January-February(Magh month of Hindu Calendar) and millions visit to take holy dip at Sangam.

[edit] Temples

  • Shivkoti Mahadev Temple.  edit
  • Someshwar Mahadev Temple.  edit
  • Patalpuri Temple.  edit
  • Dashaswamedh Temple, (On the bank of Ganges in Daraganj).  edit
  • Bare Hanumanji Temple, (Near the Sangam). They serve Besan Laddoo's which are very delicious.  edit
  • Jhusi-Tallest Hanuman Mandir. The temple is an unsually tall hanuman diety along with 108 Shivalingas.  edit

[edit] Other attractions

  • Allahabad Fort.  edit
  • Anand Bhavan. Learn about the intricacies of Indian struggle for freedom during early 20th century. Among many things, you will find the personal correspondence and family photographs of the Nehrus.  edit
  • Allahabad Planetarium.  edit
  • Allahabad Museum.  edit
  • Pratisthan Pur, (Jhusi).  edit
  • Patthar Girja.  edit
  • Company Bagh (Alfred Park or Chandrashekhar Azad Park).  edit
  • Minto Park.  edit
  • Khusro bagh.  edit
  • Benimadhav Temple, (In Daragang).  edit
  • Bharadwaj Ashram.  edit
  • Nag Vasuki Mandir, (In Baksi at the very end of the city near Daraganj).  edit
  • Yamuna bridge.  edit
  • Allahabad University Campus.  edit

[edit][add listing] Do

  • Take a dip at Sangam. Spiritual or refreshing (as you choose to see it).  edit
  • Take a boat ride down the Yamuna.  edit
  • Hear the azaan. Wake up at dawn and hear the azaan as the temple bells ring.  edit
  • Take away some Gangajal. Do not forget to take away some Gangajal (holy water of the Ganges) from Sangam. It is considered pure and is a main ingredient in almost all religious ceremonies. However, from hygeine point of view, it is recommended to collect Gangajal from Ganges in Daraganj than from Sangam as Sangam is located right after the cremation area while location of Daraganj Ganges bank is about 1.5 miles before Cremation area.  edit

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

[edit][add listing] Buy

  • Guavas are best bought in winter. The red-spotted guavas available in plenty (and at unbelievably cheap prices) are a major attraction.
  • Mangoes in summer
  • Namkeens at LokNath, Chowk

[edit][add listing] Eat

Lok Nath is a good place for delicious food items of Pure Desi Ghee.

[edit] Budget

Budget options include:

  • Amble down the Lok Nath galli and eat something from each of the shops on the left, then turn, amble back, and tackle the shops on the other side.
  • The Kachauris of Netram in Katra.
  • The Burfi, Rabri, Lassi, Kulfi of Lok Nath in Chowk.
  • Butter Masala Dosa at the Motilal Nehru Medical College gate.
  • Dosas at the Madras Cafe oppposite the Allahabad High Court.
  • Sweets at the Hira Halvai Chauraha.
  • Chaat at Loknath
  • Kachauri (with Full meal) at Netram, Katra

[edit] Mid-range

  • McDonald's, Civil Lines.  edit
  • Cafe Coffee Day (CCD), Civil Lines (Near Amitdeep (Maruti) showroom).  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Connoisseur Restaurant, Civil Lines, M. G. Road.  edit
  • Kanha Shyam, Civil Lines.  edit
  • El Chico, Civil Lines, M. G. Road. The ambience is relaxed and classy.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Pubs are non-existent. A place that comes closest to being a pub is on the top floor of the Kanha Shyam hotel in Civil Lines. Some restaurants, like Hasty Tasty restaurant, Hotel Milan, Hotel Regency, and the Tourist Bungalow, all situated in Civil Lines, offer chilled beer and liquor. However, most other restaurants do not have liquor on their menu. Drinking in public is frowned upon, drinking in family restaurants is not allowed at all.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

  • Hotel Kohinoor, 10 Noorulla Road, ☎ +91-532-2655501.  edit
  • Hotel Yatrik, Civil Lines.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Hotel Ajay, Elgin Road, Civil Lines.  edit
  • Hotel Grand Continental, SP Marg, Civil Lines.  edit
  • Hotel Kanha Shyam, Civil Lines.  edit
  • Hotel Milan, Civil Lines.  edit
  • Hotel Regency, Tashkent Marg.  edit
  • Hotal Samrat, Civil Lines.  edit

[edit] Cope

  • Knowing some basic Hindi and/or Urdu will help, although you can manage with English.
  • Be prepared to haggle with cyclerickshaw pullers (the best means of transport)

[edit] Get out

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