Take a Holy Dip in Triveni Sangam: Sangam means confluence of two or more rivers. In Hindu way of life, confluence of rivers is considered sacred. Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj is the meeting point of the three religiously holy rivers of India - Ganga, Yamuna & invisible Saraswati. The very spot of ‘Sangam’ is explicitly visible as white Ganga & greenish Yamuna are seen mingling with each other. As per Hindu scriptures, few drops of nectar (Amrit-अमृत) fell from the pot (Kumbh-कुम्भ) at the Triveni Sangam while the demons were chasing the gods. It naturally, therefore, garners immense religious importance. Taking a spiritual bath in Triveni Sangam is believed to wash away all the sins of the faithful, hence, pilgrims flock from all over the world to take a bath here. At Sangam, the Magh Mela, India’s biggest religious bathing festival is held each spring. Every twelfth year, on an auspicious date chosen by astrologers, millions converge onto the riverbanks to participate in the Kumbh Mela, an even more important ritual to the devout.
Visit Khusro Bagh to Have a Glimpse of Mughal Architecture: Akbar initiated Din-e-Ilahi and changed the name of Hindu pilgrimage Prayagraj to Allahabad. The name Allahabad suggests forced Islamic influence on the city. There are several monuments belonging to Mughal era in Allahabad. One of the remarkable spots of the Mughal era in the city is the Khusro Bagh. Built by one of the sons of the Mughal ruler Jahangir, it is a beautiful huge-walled garden constructed in typical architectural style of the time. It now serves as one of the top sightseeing spots in the city. Khusro Bagh always remains crowded by the tourists. It is a three-storey pavilion-shaped tomb, surrounded by beautiful garden. The tombs are beautified with paintings and carved lattices throughout. Khusro’s mausoleum is covered with paintings and with Persian verse, ending with a chronology which gives the Muslim year of 1031 (1622 A.D.) as the date of his death.
Don't Miss to Visit All Saints Cathedral: Patthar Girja is the popular name of All Saints Cathedral. It is a huge church building built across an area of 1250 square meters during the nineteenth century. The church holds a special place in the hearts of the locals and is also a major point of interest for the tourists. From the times of British Colonial times, this one is a very prized building. This church tops as one of the prime photographed spots in the city. The construction of the church commenced in 1871 AD and was completed in 1891 AD. Sir William Emerson of Crawford Market in Mumbai and Victoria Memorial in Kolkata was the chief architect of All Saints Cathedral in Allahabad. The massive All Saints Cathedral Church is built in Gothic style architecture. The All Saints Cathedral is marked with enough intricate work done on the marble altar, a hallmark of Gothic architectural style.
Get inside Allahabad Fort to worship at Akshay Vat & Patalpuri Temple: In ancient times Allahabad, then known as Prayag, was an important place of pilgrimage. By the end of the twelfth century, it fell under Muslim rule and in 1584 AD was given it name as Allahabad. Originally believed to have been built by the Great Emperor Ashoka, was rebuilt by Akbar and from then it was called as Allahabad Fort. Allahabad Fort, at the confluence of the Yamuna and the Ganga is an impressive pile of masonry. It houses the Ashoka Pillar, a single shaft of polished sandstone 35 ft. high. Its capital has disappeared during 2,000 years of existence but it still shows some of the edicts of the Emperor Ashoka, inscribed round its base, despite the fact that they have been partly obliterated by Jahangir’s inscription of his family tree. Since then, it also became one of the very prized properties of the Mughal. Presently, a part of the fort is under the Indian Army and a part of it is open for the public to explore. Patalpuri Temple and the Akshayvat are the major attractions of the fort along with a Saraswati Koop which is believed to be a source of the holy river, Saraswati. The Patal Puri Temple finds itself underground today owing to the Fort that Akbar built all round and over it. Descending by a long sloping passage one discerns in the dim square-shaped hall an immortal Banyan tree. It was commented upon by the Chinese traveler, Hiuen Tsang in 540 AD and is known as Akshaya Vat, the Undying Banyan Tree.
Explore Allahabad Museum and Chandrashekhar Azad Park: Prayagraj is one of the cultural & historical destinations in Uttar Pradesh. Tourists from different parts of India & the world keep coming to Allahabad to explore various aspects of the city. Archaeological Museum in Allahabad (Prayagraj) was opened in 1931AD. It has a mixed collection of antiquities, musical instruments, clay models, art objects, textiles, pottery, coins, etc. Among the antiquities, some interesting images from Khajuraho, Nagor and Kaushambi are collected and preserved in Allahabad Museum. The museum currently is located in Chandrashekhar Azad Park. This huge park is also known as Alfred Park or Company Bagh. Chandrashekhar Azad Park, one of the top sightseeing spots in Prayagraj, is also the largest park in the city. Chandrashekhar Azad was a freedom fighter. When he got cornered in this park while trying to escape, he shot himself right here instead of surrendering to the British. To honour his brave act, his statue stands at the site of his martyrdom in the park.
Visit Bharadwaj Ashram, University of Allahabad & Sip a Cup of Tea at University Road Tea Stalls: An important shrine to the Hindu pilgrim is that of Maharshi Bharadwaja. Named after the great sage who occupied a hermitage on the high bank overlooking the holy Ganga, the place is mentioned in the Ramayana, Sage Bharadwaja had ten thousand pupils and, being the head of a clan, was able to provide them with free board and lodging. Bharadwaj Ashram thus became a cross between a hermitage, a seat of learning, and a welfare institution. Two thousand years later, Allahabad University occupies the same site. Unlike the typical universities, Allahabad University is a major tourist attraction in its own right. The sightseeing of Prayagraj incorporates a visit to the esteemed educational institution. It was established in 1887 AD and is the fourth oldest modern universities in India. Apart from exploring the university, the next very famous activity to do here is to chill and sip tea from the tea stalls on the university road. The experience is amazing and also one can see the crowd of the college students making this road a lot more lively.
Seek the Blessings of Bade Hanuman Ji: Just near the Allahabad Fort is located famous Bade Hanuman Ji Temple. It is also known as Lete Hanuman Ji Temple. As the name says, there is a huge idol of Lord Hanuman in the temple. The idol is 20 feet long and 8 feet wide. A lot of tourists and almost every local have special regards for this temple. Though the beeline of devotees can be seen every day at the ancient temple of Lord Hanuman, but, numbers of devotees surges on every Tuesday & Saturday to worship the laid-down statue of the deity. Participating in evening ‘aarti’ is a mesmerizing experience. The temple gets submerged during monsoon season in flood water of the river Ganga.
Must Participate in Kumbh Mela As a Pilgrim: Kumbh Mela is one of the most auspicious religious fairs. It is held in India every four years. There are only four cities where Kumbh Mela is held since the time immemorial. These cities are Prayagraj (Allahabad) Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain. Hence, in each of these cities, Kumbh Mela is held once in twelve years. Attending the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad is a lifetime experience from various perspectives. Kumbh Mela is organized on the banks of Ganga and ‘Sangam’. From sightseeing and religious point of view, one can observe the three holy rivers meeting at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna & Saraswati. From astrological and spiritual perspective, Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj holds special significance due to its organization when Jupiter is in Aries while Sun and Moon are in Capricorn. In Hindu culture, the said positions of stars instill special virtues in the Sangam water. The gathering of saints, sages, ascetics, preachers, pilgrims, devotees and visitors make Kumbh Mela a huge congregation of people performing various religious rituals and participating in religious, spiritual & cultural activities and discourses. Taking holy dip in Triveni Sangam on auspicious occasions is a widely celebrated ceremony.
Enjoy the Delicacies of Prayagraj: Prayagraj is one of the historically, religiously and culturally important tourist destinations in Uttar Pradesh. It has several monuments and places to visit in Allahabad (Prayagraj). The city is also famous for a lot of delicacies. It is highly recommended to savour the authentic foods and dishes of Allahabad to please your taste buds while visiting tourist attractions in Prayagraj. Exotic vegetarian cuisines are prepared in traditional ways. Right from the high-end restaurants to the street food hawkers, all of them sell mouth-watering delicacies to titillate the taste buds. Some of the most famous dishes to try out here are Puris of Sulaki, Kachoris of Netram, Samose of Hari, Khokha Rai ka Dahi Bada & Churmura or Bhelpuri at Bharadwaj Ashram, and lots more. It is in the street food selling joints where the best biryani and the kebabs are sold. Aloo Chaat, Pani Puri and Chhole Chaat are some of the other amazing street foods in the city. Hira Halwai is one of the most recommended spots around the city to try snacks and sweets.