A Travel Guide to Allahabad

From the holy confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati to the globally recognised Kumbh Mela, what makes Allahabad special is how it is the haven of pilgrimage in India. The city which is located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is a fabulous experience waiting to be unleashed! Allahabad, also known as Prayagraj, is perched atop the confluence of the Ganges and the Yamuna rivers, is one of the most ancient holy cities in India. Faith and religious sentiments have often been the main purposes to drive people to the city or take an Allahabad trip. However, it's not just the fact that it is a holy city but is also a haven for historians that make it so special. Many milestones and historical incidents have taken place in Allahabad from the Mughal era to the Independence struggle, that add to the attractions of Allahabad. If you’re planning to travel to Allahabad, here are a few important things that you should know about.

How to reach Allahabad

By Air

Allahabad Airport is located about 12 km away from the city centre at Bamrauli. The airport is brilliantly connected to several metropolitan cities in the country including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Varanasi, Lucknow and more. If you wish to save up your time and spend it exploring the city, you can choose flight as the best way to reach Allahabad.

By Road

In case you are travelling to Allahabad from Delhi, Lucknow, Jhansi, Varanasi or Meerut, road is one of the most sought-after ways to reach the city. Further, there are bus services also available that operate under the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. You can easily use the roadways as a means to reach the city of Allahabad.

By Rail

Travelling to Allahabad by train is quite convenient. The city is perfectly connected by rail and has four important stations namely, Allahabad Junction, Daraganj Station, City Station and Prayang Station. You can expect trains connecting various parts of the country and important cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Agra, Guwahati, Lucknow, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Aligarh, Bareilly, Kanpur and more. The tickets are also cheap and affordable but reservations could be tough to get as they are booked in advance.

Places to visit in and near Allahabad

Triveni Sangam

Triveni Sangam loosely translates to the confluence of three rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Out of the three rivers though, River Saraswati, which has been mentioned in the Rig Veda, is known to have dried up. Many researchers have spent their lives trying to find hard evidence to prove the prevalence of the river with little success. While River Saraswati continues to be a mystery and an intrigue to historians and archaeologists, her mythological relevance makes the Triveni Sangam a very interesting place to visit in Allahabad. Currently, you can only find Ganga and Yamuna's presence in the confluence.

Khusro Bagh

Originally constructed by Emperor Jahangir for his eldest son Khusrau Mirza, Khusro Bagh is a popular tourist attraction in Allahabad. A tombstone has also been constructed within the bagh where the prince's remains have been buried along with his mother Shah Begum. You will be amazed by the exquisite Mughal architecture and the beauty of the garden. It is easily one of the finest monuments created in the history.

Anand Bhawan

The former residence of the Nehru family, Anand Bhawan has now been transformed into a fabulous museum which exhibits some of the intriguing artefacts and articles from the Independence movement in India. Fun fact, the residence was personally curated and designed by Motilal Nehru, the father of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. One of the most famous planetariums, Jawahar Planetarium, is also located here and can be visited as part of your Allahabad trip. You can make it an educational trip by visiting this tourist attraction.

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Allahabad Museum

About 2 km from the city centre is the intriguing Allahabad Museum. The museum is recognised for its stature as a national-level museum in the country. Well, considering how a majority of important historical events and episodes took place with the city being at the crux of it, you can imagine how insightful the museum's artefacts would be. Right from historical depiction which glorify the cultural heritage of India to its archaeological and literature prowess, there are many sights at the museum that would pique your interest.

Allahabad Fort

When you visit Allahabad, it is impossible to miss the Allahabad Fort. Ask the locals about best tourist attractions and they will also guide you to the fort, located by the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Allahabad Fort is recognised as one of the most colossal forts ever constructed by Emperor Akbar. The 15th century structure continues to stand tall and attract tourists for its exquisite Mughal-inspired architecture and the gorgeous views of the rivers.

Ashoka Pillar

Located right outside the Allahabad Fort is the 16th century Ashoka Pillar that was erected by Emperor Akbar. If you notice closely, the Ashoka Pillar has been etched with some Brahmi script inscriptions from Ashoka. Further, Samudragupta and Jehangir also added a few more inscriptions to the Gupta script with a refined Brahmi script. It is about 3 km from the city centre and easily one of the top places to visit in Allahabad for sightseeing.

Best time to travel to Allahabad

The winters in Allahabad are extremely pleasant and beautiful. From October to March is ideal if you're planning for an Allahabad trip. It is the perfect weather for sightseeing as the cool and pleasant breeze would leave you in a happy space. Other seasons such as summer and monsoon come with concerns owing to the harsh climate changes in the city. Hence, it wouldn't be favourable for those who wish to indulge in touristy delights. The summer heat in Allahabad is quite scorching while the monsoons could lead to inaccessibility of ghats as well as restrictions on taking a dip in the holy Ganges.

Other perks of travelling to Allahabad during winter is to check out the famous Magh Mela. While the festival takes place every year from mid-January to early-March, Maha Kumbh takes place every 12 years. The fame of Magh Mela and the crowd is known globally and is quite an engaging expedition. You will have a great time in the city which would be bustling with festivities.

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