Allahabad, sacred city of Hinduism was formerly called 'Prayag' in commemoration of a sacrifice done by Lord Brahma. It is best known as host to the mind-boggling number of Kumbh pilgrims who visit this endearing city every 12 years. According to Hindu mythology for the 'Prakrishta Yagna' Lord Brahma chose a piece of land on the earth on the confluence of the three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mytical Sarswati. would merge into a confluence. The land being surrounded by these 3 rivers would serve as the prime and central altar and came to be known as 'Prayag' today known as Allahabad.


Located on the banks of the rivers Yamuna and Ganga, Allahabad is one of the most famous pilgrim centres in Uttar Pradesh.
Legend has it that the ancient Saraswati River once flowed underground, and joined the Yamuna and the Ganga in Prayag, the ancient name for Allahabad.

The Magh Mela is held annually, in January and February, and lasts for 15 days. These melas (fairs) commemorate the struggle between gods and demons over a kumbh (pot) of amrit, the elixir of life. When the amrit surfaced from the bottom of the ocean, Lord Vishnu, the Hindu Preserver of the Universe ran away with the pot of amrit. While he was running, four drops of the elixir fell on the sites that are now the holy towns of Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain.


The Maha Kumbh that takes place every 12 years is the largest religious or for that matter, largest congregation of humankind on the earth. In the 1988 edition of Maha Kumbh, 15 million people took dip in a single day. Guinness Book holds the figure as a world record. During the Mela, whole of the city turns in to a camp of a sort. Separate camps are pitched on the bank of confluence for different sects of hermits who are always at war.

Alfred Park is a must visit tourist destination in the city of Allahabad. Apart from the fact that Alfred Park is the largest park in Allahabad, it has historical significance as well.

Allahabad Fort that stands on the northern banks of Yamuna near the confluence is a must visit destination in Allahabad. Emperor Akbar himself commissioned this magnificently designed fort in the year 1583. There was a time when this fort was considered among the best garrisons in the entire Mughal Empire but little is left of that grandeur today.

How to Get There

By Air
The nearest airports are Varanasi, Kanpur and Lucknow.

By Rail
The city has direct rail connections with important cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Patna, Gwalior, Meerut, Chennai, Mumbai, Varanasi and Guwahati.

By Road
Allahabad, on National Highway 2 and 27, is connected to the rest of the country by good, motorable all-weather roads.