The city was originally named as Prayag or the place of offerings and is revered as one of the most important pilgrim spot for the Hindus in India. The city is a home to a confluence known as the triveni, and is the meeting point of the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers of India. The city is also the second oldest city in India with its origins traced back to the Vedic Period. The city was named to Allahabad or Ilahabad by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1583 which literally means the Garden of Allah in Urdu. The place has been mentioned in the ancient texts of the Vedas as the place where Lord Brahma organized a sacrificial ritual. Known to be one of the major pilgrim spots and a booming economic center in India, here’s the list of the best places to visit in Allahabad.
1. Triveni Sangam
The most important tourist destination in Allahabad, the Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the 3 major rivers of India namely Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. The three rivers maintain their visible identity and can be identified by their different colors. The water from the Ganges is clear while the Yamuna is greenish in color while the presence of the Saraswati can only be felt underwater. The place is considered as one of the major sites of the Kumbha mela which is held once in every 12 years.
2. Allahabad Fort
The ancient fort was said to have been originally built by the great emperor Ashoka but was repaired by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1583. The Allahabad Fort is located near the triveni sangam confluence and is the largest fort built by Akbar. The fort comprises of high watchtowers that guard the 3 galleries in the fort complex. The important monuments and buildings inside are the Zanana palace for the women, the Saraswati Koop which is considered as the source of the Saraswati River and a 3rd century BC Ashoka Pillar. It also houses the Immortal tree or Akshayavat which can be viewed from the outside from the southern wall.
3. Khusro Bagh
The walled garden is a home to three mausoleums which are built in the Mughal style of architecture. The three tombs belong to the eldest son of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, Khusaru Mirza and his first wife Shah Begum and his daughter Nithar Begum. The name Khusro Bagh is named after Khusaru Mirza who rebelled against his father leading to his death and his burial along with his family in the three tombs. The three tombs are fine specimens of Mughal arts and architecture and are decorated with stone carvings and motifs.
4. Anand Bhavan
Anand Bhavan was constructed in the 1930’s by the Indian leader Motilal Nehru as the Nehru Family residence. The building was constructed as the former residence of the Nehru Family known as the Swaraj Bhavan was donated to the Indian National Congress. The building was donated to the Indian Government by Indira Gandhi in 1970 and is today a house museum that depicts the life and times of the Nehru family. It also houses the Jawahar Planetarium which was built in 1979 and is a must visit.
5. All Saints Cathedral
All Saints Cathedral was built by the British and was consecrated in 1887 and was completed 4 years after. The church displays a striking 13th century Gothic revival architecture and is 31 meters in height. The massive church building encompasses an area of approximately 1250 square meters and is one of the most prized buildings from the colonial India. The complex also contained a memorial to Queen Victoria and functions as a lantern tower.
Being the second oldest city in India, Allahabad is a major pilgrim destination in Uttar Pradesh. The Kumbha Mela is the time when the city can be enjoyed at its best. The above-mentioned places are a must visit among the numerous tourist places in Allahabad.
Some More Tourist Destinations Of Uttar Pradesh:
- Must Visit Places In Fatehpur Sikri
- Must Visit Places In Ayodhya
- Must Visit Places In Hastinapur
