Allahabad - The City Of Three Rivers

The charming and historical city of Allahabad is situated at the confluence of the three rivers, the Ganga, the Yamuna and the Saraswati. The Sangam or meeting place of the three rivers makes Allahabad, a religious site as the mighty Ganga has been a symbol of India's age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same. Allahabad is one of the four destinations in India where Maha Kumbh Mela takes place. The Maha Kumbha takes place once in every three years in each of the four different locations in India, returning to each of four places every twelve years. During this twelfth year, people and sages from all over the country and around the world congregate at the confluence for a holy dip in the sacred waters of the holy Ganga.

Allahabad was known as Prayag in the Aryan times. According to historian Badauni, the great Mughal Emperor Akbar also visited Prayag and founded the imperial city of Illahabad in 1584 that later on came to be known as Allahabad. The construction of the Akbar Fort bears testimony to the importance of the city that was made the provincial capital during the Mughal period. One is awed by the art, architecture, design, and craftsmanship of the fort. The Indian army now uses the fort and only a part of it is open to the visitors.

The Allahabad University is also very famous, not only in India but globally and its alumni includes some of India`s greatest leaders and nationalists. Once the breeding ground of the freedom struggle, the campus still retains an air of refined purpose. The architectural styles followed are a mix of the Victorian and the Islamic and reflect the influences that came to bear on the development of the city.

Another interesting place worth visiting, while in this city is the Patliputra Temple and inside the temple is located the Akshaya Vat, literally meaning, Immortal Tree. This is an underground temple located inside the Allahabad Fort. It is said that Lord Rama worshipped here and it also finds mention in the travelogue of the Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, who visited India in AD 644.

For those who get fascinated with old historic Mughal architecture, must check out the Khusrao Bagh too. This is a large garden where the tombs of Khusrau, his sister, and his Rajput mother are located. Khusrau was the son of Emperor Jahangir who had made many unsuccessful attempts to assassinate his father and take the reins in his hands. However, he was murdered by his own brother Shahjahan in the end.

Another very exhilarating place to visit is Bhita, an archeological site on the banks of the river Yamuna, 20 km from the city of Allahabad. There is a famous museum located here which preserves stone sculptures, metal seals, and various terracotta statues. It is

As far as lodging goes, there are excellent hotels, motels, guest houses and inns to choose from. The Hotel Kanha Shyam is centrally located in the Civil Lines and guests can relish on some Indian flavour at Baradari Restaurant or enjoy multi-cuisine fare at its coffee shop, Patio.