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Sangam
The sacred 'Sangam' is the confluence of three of the holiest rivers in Hindu mythology
Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical
underground river of enlightenment, Saraswati. At the confluence, the muddy waters of the Ganges and the
clear green water of the Yamuna can be distinctly seen to merge into one.
Bathing at the Sangam is believed to be auspicious through out the year
especially for 15 days in the month of Magh (mid-January to Mid-February) during
'Magh Mela' and longer during Maha Kumbh Mela held every 12 years. Astrologers calculate the holiest time to enter the water and draw up a
'Holy Dip Schedule'. Maha Kumbh Mela attracts millions of devout Hindus
and a holy dip then is believed to cleanse the soul. An enormous temporary township springs up on the vacant land on the Allahabad side of the river.
Allahabad Fort
The massive majestic fort built by Emperor Akbar in 1583 A.D fort stands on the banks of the Yamuna near the confluence.
The largest of Akbar's forts, it was matchless in its design and construction.
Now used by the army, prior permission is needed for a visit except for a limited area open to visitors.
The fort has massive walls and three gateways flanked by high towers. Inside the
fort there is the Zenana (harem) and the 3rd century BC Ashoka pillar moved to
the fort from Kausambi, 'Saraswati Koop'; a well, said to be the source of the Saraswati
river, Patalpuri, the underground temple and the much-revered 'Akshaya Vata' or immortal Banyan
tree within the temple.
The Ashoka pillar standing 10.6 meters high has several edicts and a Persian inscription of Emperor Jahangir encrypted on it, commemorating his accession to the throne.
Khusrau Bagh
Khusrau Bagh located near the railway station, contains the tomb of Prince
Khusrau son of the Mughal emperor Jehangir, who was jailed and executed
after an unsuccessful rebellion and a plot to assassinate his father. The
typical Mughal Garden enclosure is entered through an 18m high archway. Nearby is the
tomb believed to be his sisters and the two storied tomb of his Rajput
mother.
Allahabad Museum
Allahabad Museum located at Kamala Nehru Road inside Chandra Shekhar Azad
Park, has 18 galleries containing
a wide range of stone sculptures. The sculptures include 2nd BC pieces
from Bharhut and Kausambi, 1st Century AD Kushana from Mathura, 4th-6th
century Gupta and 11th century carvings from Khajuraho. The exhibit also
has terracotta figurines from Kausambi, Rajasthani Miniatures, coins and
paintings by Nicholas Roerich and artifacts donated by the Nehru family.
Open daily from 10:30 am to 4:30 PM except Mondays.
Anand Bhawan
Anand Bhavan was the former ancestral home of the Nehru  family.
Donated to
the Indian government in 1970 by Indira Gandhi, it was turned into a museum. The exhibits in the two storied building seen through glass panels
include personal items of Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru; the first Prime
Minister of Independent India, Indira Gandhi (Prime Minister1966-77,
1980-84) and her sons Sanjay Gandhi and Rajeev Gandhi
(PrimeMinister1984-1989). One can see the room where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay during his visits,
Jawarlal Nehru's room and study also.
Open: 9:30 am to 05:00 pm. except Mondays.
There is a Jawahar planetarium build in 1979 in the compound.
Open 11:00 am to 04:00 pm. except Mondays
Swaraj Bhawan
Situated next to Anand Bhawan, Swaraj Bhavan was donated to the Nation by Moti Lal
Nehru to be used as the headquarters of the Congress Committee. Late Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born here.
Open: 09:30 am to 05:30 P.M. Closed on Monday's.
Muir Central College - University of Allahabad
Designed by William Emerson and opened in 1886, the college is a fine
example of 'Indo-saracenic' architecture. It has a 200 feet tower made of
pale-yellow sandstone with marble and mosaic floors. It was later established as the
University of Allahabad, one of the most reputed Universities of India.
The University has Kausambi Museum with various artifacts from
Kausambi including pottery, Terracotta figurines, coins, beads and
bangles.
Minto Park or Madan Mohan Malviya Park
Minto Park is located to the west of the fort near the Yamuna river. It
was here that the East India Company officially handed over control of
India to the British government in 1858. Lord Canning read out the declaration.
There is a stone memorial with a four-lion symbol on top here.
Chandra Shekhar Azad Park
Earlier known as Alfred park, thisextensive garden park has some fine colonial
Buildings, including a public library. Later the park was renamed in honour
of the freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad who died in an encounter with the
imperialists. Within the park is the Allahabad Museum.
Places Around Allahabad
Kausambi
Kausambi earlier known as Kausam is located 63 km southwest of Allahabad
on the way to Chitrakoot. This ancient Buddhist and Jain centre was the capital
of the Vatsa king Udayana.
Buddha has delivered several discourses in this historical city. Kausambi was
first discovered by Cunningham and the coins and terracotta figurines which
scattered here are now on display in the Allahabad Museum and the Kausambi Museum.
Recent discoveries are made by G R Sharma of the University of Allahabad. The
remains of an Ashoka pillar, a palace in ruins are of Archeological interest
here. Another Ashokan pillar was removed to Allahabad fort by the Mughals. There
is also a Digambar Jain temple here.
Bhita
Situated 18km from Allahabad on the Yamuna river. Excavations here have revealed
the remains of an ancient fortified city. There a Museum which exhibits stone
and metal seals, coins and terracotta statues dating from Gupta and Mauryan periods.
Garhwa
Situated 50 km from Allahabad in Garhwa there is a walled enclosure surrounding
a group of ruins of temples where several inscriptions dedicated to Vishnu and
Shiva can be seen. To the west of the ruins of the fort, there is a big tank knwon
as Garhwa Tal. Some of the sculptures of the Gupta period found here has been
shifted to the State Museum in Lucknow.
Kara
Situated 69 km from Allahabad on the banks of Ganga, it is famous for the
holy Temple of Kara Devi (Shitala Devi). Once the provincial capital of Mughals,
its ruins extend to 3.5 km along Ganga. Kalehswar Mahadev Temple, Dargah of Khwaja
Karak and Shivala Maharishi Ashram are the other attractions.
Chitrakoot
Chitrakoot 132km from Allahabad is a popular Hindu pilgrimage centre. Bathing
ghats line the Mandakini river and there are over 30 temples in this town. Brahma,
Vishnu and Shiva are believed to have taken their incarnations and Lord Ram has
stayed here during his exile. There are many places of religious interest here-
Kamadgiri, Ramghat, Janki Kund, Hanuman Dhara, Gupt Godavari, Sati Ansuiya Ashram
are some of them.
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