'''Allahabad''' is one of the holiest city of India situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Understand
'''Allahabad''' is among the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh. Hindu mythology has it that for the Prakrishta Yaina, Lord Brahma, the creator God of the Trinity, chose a land on earth, on which the three rivers would flow in to a quiet confluence. Brahma also referred to it as '''Tirth Raj''' or the '''King of all pilgrimage centres'''. Recorded evidence also exists in the revered scriptures ? the Vedas and the grand epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as also in the Puranas ? of this holy place formerly called '''Prayag'''. Allahabad stands at the confluence of two of India_fs holiest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna. Sangam, as the confluence is called, is the venue of many sacred fairs and rituals, and attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. This number swells to millions during the world-famous Kumbh Mela. An annual Magh Mela is also held in Allahabad around the Sangam areas in the month of January. (Magh is the name of month in Hindu calendar) A third mythical Saraswati river, believed to flow underground towards the Sangam, gives the confluence its other name '''Triveni'''.
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.
Over the centuries that followed, Allahabad remained on the forefront of national importance - more so, during the days of the Indian independence struggle. The chequered history of Allahabad with its religious, cultural and historical ethos also gave rise to several renowned scholars (M. N. Saha, Harishchandra, Ravindra Khattree, Amar Nath Jha), poets (Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Mahadevi Verma, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Sumitra Nandan Panth), writers (Mahadevi Verma, Ramkumar Verma, Jagdish Gupta), thinkers (Purusottam Das Tandon), statesmen and leaders (Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlala Nehru, Murli Manohar Joshi, Amitabh Bachchan -also an actor).
The city being an important cantonment during the British Raj has some beautiful remnants of colonial architecture. 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 _c much like the sacred rivers that caress this God-graced land.
Get in
Best way to reach Allahabad, if you are coming from outside India, is to take a direct flight to New Delhi and then take one of the numerous connecting trains from New Delhi to Allahabad. The ''Kolkata Rajdhani express'', though a better train, lands at a very odd hour in Allahabad (2343 hrs IST) from New Delhi which can be inconvenient for Allahabad being a really quiet place at night. Best train from New Delhi to Allahabad is the ''PrayagRaj Express'' (Train No. 2418) which leaves from New Delhi Railway Station at 2130 hrs IST and arrives in Allahabad at 0630 hrs IST next day. The train runs every day.
By plane
There is a direct flight to Allahabad offered by Jetlite (fomerly Air Sahara) and Indian Airlines from Delhi. The nearest better-connected airport is Varanasi, 120 kms away (2.5 hours by road on mmNH-2).
By train
Allahabad is situated on the trunk train route from New Delhi to Kolkata and from Mumbai to Kolkata, so it is well-connected by trains. Innumerable trains stop at Allahabad. The city has four railway stations - Daragang (near the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna), Prayag (near the University), Rambagh (city centre), and Allahabad Junction (the main station). In addition, another temparary railway station known as Prayagraj (to be distinguished from Prayag) is used during important religious festivals for the better management and control of extra pilgrim traffic on those occasions.
By bus
Allahabad is on NH2 and NH27 and is, therefore, well connected by road. Several buses ply to and from nearby cities and towns.so it is a good guidebook.
Get around
Hire a cyclerickshaw. It is the cheapest, best and most widely available means of transport. You will have to haggle for the prices, though.Auto Rickshaws(3-Wheelers) are also cheap modes of travel inside the city. City buses are available on certain routes but their arrivals and deaprtures are unpredictable.
See
A dip in the holy Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati is a must for the spiritually inclined. Other places of interest:
Allahabad High Court
LokNath (For delicious food items of Pure Desi Ghee)
Shivkoti Mahadev Temple
Allahabad Fort
Someshwar Mahadev Temple
Patalpuri Temple
Anand Bhavan
Allahabad Planetarium
Allahabad Museum
Yamuna Bank Road
New Yamuna Bridge
Allahabad University
Pratisthan Pur (Jhunsi)
Patthar Girja
Company Bagh (Alfred Park or Chandrashekhar Azad Park)
Minto Park
Khusro bagh
Dashaswamedh Temple (on the bank of Ganges in Daraganj)
Benimadhav Temple (in Daragang)
Bare Hanumanji Temple (Near the Sangam)
Bharadwaj Ashram
Nag Vasuki Mandir (in Baksi at the very end of the city near Daraganj)
Tallest Hanuman Mandir (in Jhusi; the temple is an unsually tall hanuman diety along with 108 Shivalingas)
Prayag Sangeet Samiti (A place in Civil Lines for musically oriented)
Harishchandra Research Institute of Mathematics (Jhusi)
Do
Take a dip at Sangam. Spiritual or refreshing (as you choose to see it)
Take a boat ride down the Yamuna
Walk down the new Yamuna bridge
Amble down the Lok Nath galli and eat something from each of the shops on the left. Then turn, amble back, and tackle the shops on the other side.
Wander around in the museum, then lunch out on the sprawling grounds.
Wake up at dawn and hear the azaan as the temple bells ring.
Visit Allahabad University Campus
Visit Anand Bhavan to learn about the intricacies of Indian struggle for freedom during early 20th century. Among many things, you will find the personal correspondence and family photographs of the Nehrus.
Learn
The politeness of "Aap(You)" and "Hum(we)"
The subtle sense of humour of the person on the street
The fun of walking and travelling on rickshaws
Work
Allahabad used to have a thriving industrial suburb (Naini) till the 1980s, but then those public sector units started closing down one by one, forcing entire generations of young educated Allahabadis to migrate out of the city in search of work.
Today, Allahabad is slowly inching along in its dream to be an IT hub.
And, the government adminsitrative offices remain - alive and kicking.
Buy
Foodstuff
Guavas in winter
Mangoes in summer
Namkeens at LokNath, Chowk
Various kinds of chaat,samosas,jalebis, and hot gulabjamuns(sweet).
Other stuff
The red-spotted guavas available in plenty (and at unbelievably cheap prices) are a major attraction. And don't forget to take away some Gangajal (holy water of the Ganges) from Sangam. It is considered pure and is a main ingredient in almost all religious ceremonies. However, from hygeine point of view, it is recommended to collect Gangajal from Ganges in Daraganj than from Sangam as Sangam is located right after the cremation area while location of Daraganj Ganges bank is about 1.5 miles before Cremation area.
Eat
There's a McDonald's in Civil Lines, but then, that is hardly Allahabadi; it is also too crowded.
A Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) outlet is located in Civil Lines near Amitdeep (Maruti) showroom.
Budget
Desi ghee sweets of Qadir in chowk
'Lassi' (Curd Shake) at Lok Nath and Subzi Mandi.
The Motichoor Laddoo and Gond Peda of Nirala, Nurullah Road.
The besan laddoo of Hanuman temple.
The Kachauris of Netram in Katra.
The Burfi, Rabri, Lassi, Kulfi of Loknath in Chowk.
Butter Masala Dosa at the Motilal Nehru Medical College gate.
Dosas at the Madras Cafe oppposite the Allahabad High Court.
Sweets from Hira Halvai Chauraha.
Chaat at Katra.
Best sweet Rasgulla from Nafees Halwai (Atala Mominpur.
Mid-range
Non-veg dishes: Nahari, Madina Hotel altough this restaurant remains close in the month Ramazan.
:::Kabab Pratha, Hamid Kabab Parathe wale at Subzi Mandi, Chowk
Splurge
Connoisseur Restaurant, Civil Lines, M. G. Road, Allahabad offering Continental, Italian, Thai, Chinese, Indian Cuisines Tel +919450848669, +91-532-2561200 to 2561207.
Kanha Shyam, Civil Lines, Allahabad.
El Chico on MG Marg Civil Lines. The ambience is relaxed and classy..
KOHINOOR RESTAURANT Civil Lines and Noorulla Road, for authentic Indian and Mughlai food. Free home delivery: 2423230, 2655501
Drink
Pubs are non-existent.
Probably, the best bar which comes closest to being a pub is on the top floor of Kanha Shyam hotel. Others like the old time Hasty Tasty restaurant, Hotel Milan, Hotel Regency, and Tourist Bungalow, all situated in Civil Lines offer chilled beer and other liquor on their menu . However most other restaurants have liquor off their menu. And remember, drinking in public is not allowed and may invite uncalled attention.
Sleep
Budget
Mid-range
Hotel Yatrik, Civil Lines
Hotel Samrat, Civil Lines +91-532-2561200 to 2561208 e Mail: get@hotelsamrat.net
Hotel Kohinoor, 10 Noorulla Road.+91-532-2655501
Splurge
Hotel Regency, Tashkent Marg
Hotel Kanha Shyam, Civil Lines
Hotel Milan, Civil Lines
Hotel Grand Continental, SP Marg, Civil Lines
Hotel Ajay, Elgin Road, Civil Lines
Hotal Samrat, civil Lines
Contact
'''get@hotelsamrat.net tel : +915322561200 to 2561208, +919450848669, +919335116175'''
Stay safe
Women need to dress conservatively else be prepared for lewd comments and stares.
Other than that, the basic rules of common sense apply - do not accept food from strangers, do not flash your money etc.
Cope
Know basic Hindi although you can manage with English.
Be prepared to haggle with cyclerickshaw pullers (the best means of transport)
Get out
Varanasi
Lucknow
Kanpur
Jaunpur
Gorakhpur
Mirzapur
Pratapgarh