Prayagraj (प्रयागराज Prayāgrāj), formerly Allahabad (इलाहाबाद Ilāhābād), is one of the holiest cities in India, is in Uttar Pradesh. The city is famous for being the site of the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna; and also the Hindu pilgrimage Kumbh Mela, the largest gathering of humans on the planet holding hundreds of millions of pilgrims every 12 years.
Prayagraj is among the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh. It stands at the confluence of two of India's holiest rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna. Sangam, as the confluence is called, is the venue of many sacred fairs and rituals, and attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. This number swells to millions during the Kumbh Mela. An annual Magh Mela is also held in Prayagraj around the Sangam areas in the month of January (Magh is the name of month in Hindu calendar).
Hire a cycle rickshaw. It is the cheapest, best and most widely available means of transport. You will have to haggle for the prices, though. Auto rickshaws (3-wheelers) are also cheap modes of travel inside the city. City buses are available on certain routes but their arrivals and departures are unpredictable.
1 Allahabad Fort. The Allahabad Fort, built from the year 1583 onwards by Akbar, stands at the junction of the two great rivers. It was the largest of Akbar's forts, and although its original form has been much impaired by early restoration work, the splendid Zenana Palace survives. It is a fine pavilion, with a central square hall carried on 64 columns bordered by a deep veranda of double columns and there are clusters of four in each corner. 2 Allahabad High Court, Nyaya Marg, Canton, Dhoomanganj, ☏ +91 532 242 2335. It is the seat of Justice in Uttar Pradesh, and is the oldest high court in the country with largest strength of judges.
Boating and bathing at Sangam. A dip in the holy Sangam of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati is a must for the spiritually inclined. It is a sacred holy site for Hindus. According to Vedic literature and myths it is called Triveni Sangam because three rivers meet up here namely the holy Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati which is believed to be flowing beneath the surface. At the time of churning of sea (samudra manthana) by Gods (Devas) and the Demons (Asuras) few drops of amrita (holy nectar that makes a mortal immortal) fell at four different parts of the subcontinent during a fight between Gods and Demons over it.
Prayagraj can be a delight for those who are made for flavour. If you are in Prayagraj, then do not forget to enjoy the Mughalai cuisine of North India.Out of innumerable spots for having delicacies of the North Indian cuisine, a mere glimpse is here. Loknath area of the city may be your favorite spot if you are foody and comfortable with hustle and bustle of 'ilahabadi raunak'. Try chaat from the street side stalls. Cheap eats can be found at Chowk bazaar, the historic city centre. So take a bus and get off at Jawahar Square Chowk, then amble down the Loknath Line and tackle the stalls on both sides. This street is the heart of the historic city centre as well as its stomach.
Pubs are very few. Glassy Junction at hotel Milan Palace, Civil Lines, is a good one to hang around on weekends. Another place that comes closest to being a pub is on the top floor of the Kanha Shyam hotel in Civil Lines. Some restaurants, like Hasty Tasty restaurant, Hotel Regency, and the Tourist Bungalow, all situated in Civil Lines, offer chilled beer and liquor. However, most other restaurants do not have liquor on their menu. Drinking in public is frowned upon, drinking in family restaurants is not allowed at all.
Power outages are frequent, so be prepared and carry a flashlight. Alleys are hard to navigate during the day, and even harder at night, so always be prepared. Sometimes you might run into a cow in an alley. Women should dress conservatively and be very careful as sexual assaults, such as random gropings, can be common. Don't travel alone, especially in less populated areas. Deadly stampedes during the Kumbh are commonplace: the enormous crowds frequently panic and defy police. Be aware of your surroundings, especially around the railway station, bridges and rivers' edge. Basic sanitation is lacking in many areas.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Sep, Prayagraj typically sees ~33°C daytime highs and 18 rainy days.
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