Discover Allahabad: City History and the Sangam

Allahabad, now Prayagraj, brings together a layered urban history, architecture, pilgrimage traditions, and the river landscape at the Sangam. Its places and themes range from an Ashoka Pillar and historic churches to museums, parks, and an annual pilgrimage gathering. You can shape your trip around whether you are most interested in cultural history, religious traditions, or the landscape where the rivers meet.

Architecture and History in Prayagraj

At Allahabad Fort stands a 10.6-metre-high pillar of polished sandstone dating from 232 BCE. It bears several edicts as well as a Persian inscription by Emperor Jahangir commemorating his accession to the throne. The fort is also home to Patalpuri Temple, considered an important attraction for worshippers, and Akshaya Vat in the underground temple.

All Saints’ Cathedral also offers a glimpse into the city’s architectural history: the Gothic Revival church is a well-known landmark in Prayagraj and was built as a colonial structure in the late 19th century. It is dedicated to all the saints and commemorates Bishop Clifford, the first bishop of the Diocese of Lucknow. At Allahabad University, founded on September 23, 1887, and described as India’s fourth-oldest university, the campus architecture combines Egyptian, English, and Indian influences.

Khusro Bagh is another place connected with the city’s history. Nithar’s mausoleum stands on a raised plinth, and its structure is decorated with panels featuring cusped arches. Inside, the ceilings of the rooms in the plinth are painted with stars arranged in concentric circles. Outside the city, Garhwa Fort is located in Sheorajpur, Tehsil Bara, Prayagraj. It has been a centrally protected monument since 1911.

Museum and Parks

The Allahabad Museum is located in Civil Lines in Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, also known as Company Bagh. The museum has been declared a museum of national importance. Its collection includes works of art, antiques, paintings, sculptures, coins, ceramics, archaeological objects, and illustrated manuscripts, as well as textiles, weapons and armour, natural history exhibits, photographs, and prints. It also includes personal collections relating to Gandhi, Nehru, and writers from Allahabad, including Sumitra Nandan Pant, Suryakant Tripathi “Nirala,” Premchand, and Mahadevi Verma.

The 133-acre park was created to commemorate the visit to Prayagraj in 1870 by Prince Alfred of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Chandra Shekhar Azad’s story is also linked to the park: he died there on February 27, 1931, aged 24, after a fierce exchange of gunfire with the British. The museum and park offer different ways to explore the city’s history, from art and collection objects to the remembrance of historical events.

The Sangam, Pilgrimage Traditions, and the River Landscape

At the Triveni Sangam, the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati meet. Expansive floodplains and muddy banks stretch across the area. At the ghat near the fort, pilgrims and tourists can hire boats to the Sangam; local availability may change, so check before making plans. The New Yamuna Bridge crosses the river from north to south and connects Prayagraj with Naini. Its views are considered especially impressive at sunrise and dusk.

The Magh Mela is an annual gathering of Hindu pilgrims on the banks of the Triveni Sangam. Every twelve years, it becomes the Kumbh Mela. The Maha Kumbh Mela, with millions of participants, is considered India’s largest religious gathering. If you want a festival to be the focus of your trip, check the specific event dates when planning.

Getting There and Choosing a Base for Your Trip

Prayagraj has eight railway stations with connections to numerous major cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jaipur. Taxis, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and city buses are available near the stations for onward travel. As rail connections and local transport services can change, it is advisable to check the latest information before departure.

National and state highways also connect Prayagraj with the rest of the country; the highways listed include NH2, NH27, NH76, and NH96. When searching for a vacation rental, you can use the different reasons for visiting as a guide: city history and museums, architecture and religious heritage, or the landscape around the Sangam.

Discover more destinations: Manda, Moradabad, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Mirzapur, Banda, Rae Bareli.

For the regional travel overview: Uttar Pradesh.