Best Tourist Places in Prayagraj
Glancing at the glorious history of Allahabad, the city was the hub of political activities in pre-independence era. During this time it rose to prominence as an important center for the freedom movement. Post-independence had the honour of giving the nation highest number of Prime Ministers (Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Gulzarilal Nanda to name a few) . Deeply embedded in religion, spirituality and history, Allahabad or present day Prayagraj is the site of the holy Sangam – the meeting point of the river Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati.
From its ancient name of Prayag to Allahabad and recently Prayagraj, the place has seen positive changes as well lately. Though for me it remains Allahabad – a city where I belong to and trace back my roots to.
So, what are the best tourist places in Prayagraj, let’s find out from this blog:
Triveni Sangam – is the confluence of three rivers and is an important spiritual spot of India. A country where rivers are highly revered. Triveni Sangam rules the roost of being the top tourist site of Allahabad. You can feel the spiritual vibe of Sangam as you get onto a boat to reach it midstream. A divine atmosphere pervades here, that is inexplicable. You have to experience it to know. You’re tempted to take a dip in the sacred waters, which as per belief is highly auspicious.
Prayagraj has the privilege of holding the largest religious congregation the `Kumbh mela’ on the banks of the river Ganges. Organised every year between January to March. Saints, sadhus and religious groups, come together, as do lakhs of people from all walks of life to be a part of this largest spiritual gathering on earth. For tourist who wish to have a more immersive experience and to soak in the spirituality, can even reserve luxury tents for a stay.
Anand Bhawan – the ancestral residence of the Nehru-Gandhi family known as Anand Bhawan is another well known tourist spot of Allahabad. It was later converted into a museum showcasing their lives; glimpses and interesting facts about India’s freedom movement are of interest to visitors. There is also a Planetarium in the vicinity, shows scheduled at fixed timings.
Allahabad Fort – as you sail along the river, you’ll have eye catching views of the magnificent fort. The fort is under the control of the army, therefore, only one part of this historical site is accessible to the public. A temple and an immortal tree significant in Hindu mythology – the Akshay vat, is what you’ll find inside.
There’s a famous Hanuman temple nearby, having the deity in a reclining position, is worth a visit.
Some other facts about Allahabad – the Allahabad University counted as one of the top educational institutions in the country has been the alma mater of well-known personalities of the country. The list boasts of poets, writers, scholars, academicians, and politicians. The institution has an impressive structure, with separate arts and science faculties.
If you browse the internet for tourist spots in Allahabad, you’re sure to find the names of Alfred Park and museum on the list. Alfred Park also known as Azad Park, has association with our freedom movement. Next to this is the Allahabad Museum for those interested in history.
Apart from sightseeing, for all sorts of shopping and gastronomical experiences M.G. marg is the place to go to. It is popularly known as Civil Lines. This is the upscale shopping arena of Allahabad, where you will get a range of dining options to choose from. An unhurried, casual pace of existence is the essence of Allahabad, you can reach the farthest end of the town in less than an hour.
Though Allahabad being a less popular tourist destination of Uttar Pradesh or perhaps is not much in the limelight compared to Varanasi, Agra or Lucknow, yet it’s worth a visit. And since Varanasi is just 120 kms away, it’s worthwhile to plan a combined trip to these two holy cities.
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