1. Prayag Kumbh Mela
Hinduism places great importance on the Kumbh Mela, which is recognized as the world’s largest pilgrimage gathering. Many Hindus attend the fair, which is housed in four distinct locations, in order to bathe in the sacred rivers as part of a ceremony that is supposed to purge them of sin and restore purity to their life. The Kumbh Mela takes place in Haridwar, Allahabad, Nashik, and Ujjain every three years, rotating between these locations once every twelve years. The Triveni Sangam, or meeting place of the three sacred rivers Sarasvati, Yamuna, and Ganga, is Prayaga, the location of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Every six years, the Ardh Kumbh Melas are held in Haridwar and Allahabad.
The local temples are beautifully decked and illuminated in observance of the holy festival throughout the fair. The magnificent 55-day Kumbh Mela includes the holy custom of bathing at the Triveni Sangam along with religious discourse, devotional singing, and communal feeding of the underprivileged and pious. The main purpose of attending this fair is also to observe the diverse religious and customary facets of the various Hindu sects. This place is home to numerous Hindu sadhus and saints, some of whom are only visible to the general public on this auspicious occasion.
2. Triveni Sangam
Triveni Sangam, one of the holiest sites in Central India, is roughly 7 kilometers from Allahabad’s Civil Lines (Prayagraj). The Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers converge here; the latter is a mythological river thought to have dried up over 4,000 years ago. Every twelve years, the Kumbh Mela is hosted in this location among others. The Hindu calendar, or Panchanga, is used to identify the precise date of the Mela.
The confluence of the three rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati—holds great religious significance in Indian mythology since they are all highly respected rivers. Hindu mythology states that bathing in the sacred Triveni Sangam is meant to wash away all sins and break the cycle of rebirth. In addition, the Sangam is a lovely and serene location to explore. It is truly a sight to behold, the slightly greenish Yamuna meeting the brownish Ganga.
You may distinguish the differences in color between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers by taking a boat ride to their gently flowing waters. In addition, there are improvised wooden banks at the Sangam. As a result, devotees who so choose can bathe at the point of convergence. It’s enjoyable to take a dip in the water at Triveni Sangam since the water is shallow and sufficiently clean for a bath, especially in the winter.
3. Anand Bhawan
The Nehru family’s former home, Anand Bhawan, has been converted into a museum that displays a variety of artifacts and items related to the Indian Independence Movement. Motilal Nehru personally designed the two-story home.
Notable independence movement activist and politician Motilal Nehru created a new Nehru residence as the family’s previous home, Swaraj Bhavan, began to be used as an Indian National Congress office. The hardwood furniture imported from China and Europe, along with a variety of artifacts from throughout the globe, attractively adorn the house.
Anand Bhawan is significant historically not only for its building but also for the significant part it has played in Indian history. Numerous well-known freedom fighters visited it in order to plan their plots to expel the British from the nation. Indira Gandhi gave Anand Bhavan to the Indian government in 1970 with the intention of transforming it into a national museum and preserving the Nehru family’s legacy.
4. Allahabad Museum
The Allahabad Museum, one of India’s national-level museums, is located inside the well-known Chandrashekar Azad Park. It provides an understanding of India’s history, culture, legacy, and independence struggle through its astounding exhibitions of artifacts pertaining to literature, art, history, archeology, architecture, and the environment.
The rock sculptures, miniature paintings from Rajasthan, Kaushambi terracotta, literature, and artwork from the Bengal School of Art are the principal attractions of the Allahabad Museum. The Allahabad Museum is a rich trove of Indian history, spanning from the historic Harappan era to the medieval period’s artifacts, carvings from the Gupta and Khajuraho periods, and the Indian independence movement against the British.
The museum hosts a sizable collection of Bengal School of Art and Modern Paintings of Anagarika Govind, Nicholas, and Svetoslav Roerich. It also recently opened a new rock gallery that features prehistoric rock arts. Additionally, there is a gallery for the Allahabad Museum Green Project where you can view the eco-life of the past and present in digital form.
5. Allahabad Fort
The magnificent Allahabad Fort was constructed in 1583 during the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Situated on the banks of the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, this magnificent building is widely recognized for being the greatest fort constructed by Akbar.
Thousands of visitors come from all over the world to this well-known site because of its stunning architecture in addition to its historical significance. But it should be noted that, regrettably, the general public is not usually allowed entry to Allahabad Fort. Only at the once-every-12-year Kumbh Mela are tourists let inside. Still, it’s amazing to see the monument’s magnificent design and sturdy construction as it stands on the banks of the meeting of the two rivers!
The Archaeological Survey of India is in charge of the immensely important Allahabad Fort. The fort is particularly well-known for its Akshayavat Tree, also known as the Banyan Tree, which the people supposedly used to commit suicide in order to find redemption. A tiny barrier restricts access to the area where the majestic Akshayavat Tree is located for anyone who would like to see it. The Patalpuri Temple, which is supposed to house all of hell’s gates, is located in Allahabad Fort. Taking a boat trip on the river at sunrise or dusk is the ideal way to see the Allahabad Fort from the outside.
6. Allahabad Pillar
One of the numerous pillars erected by the Mauryan monarch Ashoka is the Allahabad Pillar, a notable relic from the Gupta period. Inscriptions from the Samudragupta and Jahangir eras—the fourth BCE and the seventeenth, respectively—are brought to life on this polished sandstone spire.
But the Allahabad Pillar was moved much farther from its original location to the army property that is now Akbar’s Allahabad Fort. As a result, prior authorization would be required for visitors to the Allahabad Pillar.
7. Magh Mela
The Magh Mela, a scaled-down version of the world-famous Kumbh Mela, is held annually in the immaculate city of Allahabad. The mela, which is celebrated annually in the Hindu month of Magh (January/February) at Prayag near Allahabad at the confluence of the three great Indian rivers, Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, is highly anticipated by pilgrims.
An enormous number of pilgrims and visitors attend the Magh Mela each year in anticipation of having their sins washed away in the sacred river during the 45-day event. The Mela derives its name from the fact that it falls inside either the Gregorian month of February or the Hindu month of “Magh.” Being one of the nation’s must-see religious festivals, the mela draws enormous crowds, to which numerous accommodations are made throughout.
8. New Yamuna Bridge
The newly constructed cable-stayed New Yamuna Bridge over the river Yamuna, which opened in 2004, was created to relieve traffic congestion on Allahabad’s Old Naini Bridge. It connects Allahabad’s Naina neighborhood to the north and south and is also referred to as the Naini Bridge. The bridge, which spans 1510 meters, is held up by cables that run over its surface.
One of India’s first six-lane bridges with a contemporary design and structure is the New Yamuna Bridge. It serves as a connecting link between NH-27, which is approximately 370 meters long, and Allahabad. Visit the New Yamuna Bridge after dusk when it is brilliantly lit for the best views. Going at dawn is the best time to see the Sangam from a broad perspective. From this bridge, you can see the tented cities that sprawl for miles during the Magh and Kumbh Melas.
9. Allahabad University
Allahabad University (or University of Allahabad) is a public central university located in Allahabad’s Old Katra region. It was established on September 23, 1887. The institution is regarded as one of India’s oldest universities in the modern era. The university is home to several colleges that provide courses in a wide range of subjects.
10. Allahabad High Court
Known as the Allahabad High Court or the High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, the state High Court for Uttar Pradesh is housed in Allahabad. Founded in 1869, it is one of the nation’s oldest courts, with 160 judges currently serving. It has jurisdiction over the whole state of Uttar Pradesh.