About The City of Allahabad

The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, round which are intertwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and her defeats. She has been a symbol of India's age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga. -- Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India, born in Allahabad on the Ganges.

The city of Allahabad is one place where the remains of the dead take rest and leave for the ethereal abode, and get rid of their eternal cycle of birth and rebirth. Allahabad city is also the land where some of India's most charismatic people have either taken birth or made it their permanent abode.

Being a city with a rich history, Allahabad offers many sightseeing options to the tourists. The Sangam, situated 7 km from Civil Lines, is the meeting point of three holy rivers-the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. It becomes a hub of activity during the Kumbh Mela, which is held here after every 12 years.

The vicinity of Allahabad is dotted with many places of tourist attractions, both historical and religious. Jhusi (also Pratisthanpuri) is a serene place dotted by ashrams and temples. Barely 9 km from Allahabad, it is a hot favourite among the tourists. Another notable place is Kaushambi (62 km), which finds mention even in the Mahabharata. Bhita (20 km) is an archaeological site on the banks of the Yamuna River.

The Kumbh Mela is the greatest of north Indian festival-fairs and it has exerted a mesmeric influence over the mind and the imagination of the ordinary Indian from time immemorial. It is held once every three years by rotation, on the banks of holy rivers-the Godavari in Nasik, the Shipra in Ujjain, the Ganga in Haridwar and the Sangam in Allahabad.

The Indian city of Allahabad is easily accessible through air, road and rail from the other major Indian cities and states. Indianvisit can arrange for you all types of transport for your comfortable journey to and in Allahabad and throughout the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

In order to make the travel tour to Allahabad even more joyful you need to choose just the right kind of accommodation for you and your family or friends in Allahabad. The various hotels packages in Allahabad offer the best of facilities. The well-furnished rooms make excellent place to stay in Allahabad, with most of the comforts at your feet.

Planning a Business trip to Allahabad city or enjoying your holidays? Check out the following all-inclusive tour packages, pilgrimage tours and holiday offers that will make your travel trip to Allahabad city comfortable and enjoyable. We provide a range of tour packages and holiday offers for the city of Allahabad that will suit your requirements and budget.

History of Allahabad

Built on a very ancient site, Allahabad was known as Prayag in Aryan times. Lord Brahma, the creator of the Universe, is said to have performed a sacrifice here.

The Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang described visiting the city in 634 AD, and it acquired its present name in 1584, under the regime of Emperor Akbar.

Emperor Akbar founded this city in 1575 and called it by name of `Illahabas’, which has now become modern Allahabad. The monarch realized its strategic importance as a waterway landmark in North India and also built a magnificent fort on the banks of the holy Sangam also well known as the 'Triveni Sangam'.

Later Allahabad was conquered by the Marathas, sacked by the Pathans and finally ceded to the British in 1801 by the Nawab of Avadh.     

 It was in Allahabad that the East India Company officially handed over the control of India to the British government in 1858, following the Mutiny. It has some beautiful remnants of their colonial architecture.

Over the centuries that followed, Allahabad remained on the forefront of national importance - more so, during the days of the Indian independence struggle. The history of Allahabad with its religious, cultural and historical ethos also gave rise to several renowned scholars, poets, writers, thinkers, statesmen and leaders.

In the early 20th century, Allahabad University was the foremost center of learning in the country. Allahabad, today is an important city where history, culture and religion create a confluence … much like the sacred rivers that caress this God-graced land.

     
The city was also a centre of the Indian National Congress and at the conference here in 1920, Mahatma Gandhi proposed his programme of nonviolent resistance to achieve independance.

How To Get There

Allahabad does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airports are at Varanasi (147 km) and Lucknow (210 km). Allahabad is situated on the Delhi'Calcutta route and can be reached from any part of India by rail or bus. It is connected with Delhi and Calcutta by some of the fastest trains in India like Rajdhani, Magadh, and Shramjeevi. The average time taken from Delhi is 10 hours, Calcutta 15 hours, and Mumbai 24 hours.