Thursday, November 21, 2024
Uttar Pradesh

Tourism

Allahabad

 
Allahabad built on a very ancient site of the Aryans formerly known as Prayag, is located at the junction of the holy rivers Ganga and the Yamuna. The city acquired its present name in 1584 under the Mughal Emperor Akbar, who named it Al-Ilahabad (the city of God). The 'Maha Kumbh Mela' believed to be one of the largest religious gathering in the world, is held every 12 years at the confluence of the holy rivers attracting millions of Hindu devotees. This historically famous city was a centre of the Indian Independence movement and the home of the Nehru family. Today Allahabad is a rapidly growing commercial and administrative city in Uttar Pradesh. The climate of Allahabad is one of the extreme types with annual range of temperature differing around 12°C. The best time to visit Allahabad is from the month of November to February.

 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.