Located at the confluence of 3 rivers, namely the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, Prayagraj is one of the most famous spiritual cities in the country. It offers a wealth of spiritual experience to the people who visit this city. This is the very destination where the world’s largest gathering takes place in the form of Kumbh Mela. This mela is held every 12 years and is visited by people from around the world. The city had been a prominent place for Mughal rulers to control their large empire. It was also the main administrative hub in the British era. Several great people were born in Prayagraj and contributed to the development of literature. Being a spiritual city, Allahabad attracts a large number of tourists from around the world. Today, Prayagraj has been witnessing a rapid transformation with modern educational institutions and improved infrastructure, etc.
Best Places to Visit in Prayagraj
Prayagraj has no dearth of unique places to explore. Some of the best places you can visit here are as follows:
Prayagraj Kumbh Mela
One of the unique attractions of Prayagraj is Kumbh Mela, which is visited by millions of visitors across the world. It is one of the grandest spiritual celebrations that takes place in India. Organized at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj Kumbh Mela lasts up to 55 days and is organized every 12 years. You will get a rewarding experience once you are here. You will get to interact with the various sects of Sadhus in this mela, such as meditative Shirshasins, ash-smeared Naga Sadhus, silent Parivajakas, etc. The occurrence of this mela is organized keeping in mind the positions of the Sun, Jupiter, and Moon according to Hindu astrology. The mela is celebrated when Jupiter is in Taurus or Aries and the Moon and Sun are in Capricorn in Magh (a Hindu month), which falls between January and February. Kumbh Mela is an immensely popular festival that is the largest peaceful gathering in the world.
Khusro Bagh
Khusro Bagh is another popular tourist attraction in Prayagraj. It is the best example of stunning Mughal architecture. The wall bracketing of Nithar and Shah Begum is adorned with beautiful floral motifs that enhance the beauty of this structure. It has 3 tombs of the Jehangir family—Shah Begum (his wife), Sultan Nithar Begum (his daughter), and Khusrau Mirza (his son). The surrounding area of these tombs looks beautiful, as the guava and rose trees enhance the overall beauty of this place. The gates of the Khusro Bagh are decorated with fretwork, battlements, arches, and windows. Most of the designs you will see here are the work of Aqa Reza, who was an artist in Jehangir’s court.
Triveni Sangam
This is also one of the famous places in Prayagraj that tourists can explore. This is amongst the holiest places in the country and is located 10-15 minutes away from Civil Lines. Triveni Sangam is the meeting point of 3 rivers—Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. The place is an important pilgrimage spot, as the famous Kumbh Mela is organized here. According to Hindu mythology, if you take a bath in Triveni Sangam, you will be free from all your sins. When you are here, you can take a boat ride and experience the holy confluence of the 3 rivers. Hindu devotees should take a bath here, as it is considered pious here. You can also see a variety of migratory birds here. The sight of innumerable devotees taking baths here is a great experience for the visitors.
Allahabad Fort
Located in Prayagraj, Allahabad Fort is an architectural marvel that was constructed during the rule of Akbar. Located on the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna, this is the largest fort built by Akbar. It is a major attraction in Prayagraj and is visited by many Hindu devotees every year. This famous structure is the perfect amalgamation of Hindu and Mughal architecture, which features beautiful gates, bastions, and walls. You will find Jodhabai Palace inside the fort, which is the right blend of Hindu and Persian architectural styles. Constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the year 1583, the fort was used as an administrative center during the time of Mughal rule. However, some portion of the fort is used by the Indian army as an ordnance depot.
Swaraj Bhawan
This place has great significance in Indian politics as it has been the headquarters of the Indian National Congress. It was the former abode of the Nehru family and was donated to the country in the year 1970. Today, it is a museum that showcases the important things that are related to the Nehru family and the freedom movement. If you want to get information about the freedom movement, this is the best place to know about it. You can see the light and sound show that is held here, which depicts the history of this place. This is one of the best museums in the country, which features high-ceilinged rooms and pillared verandas.
Bade Hanuman Ji Temple
This is another worthwhile place that visitors can visit in Prayagraj. One of the striking features of this temple is its Hanuman statue. This is the only place where you will find the reclining idol of Hanuman. Also known as Lete Hue Mandir, this temple is visited by innumerable visitors during Kumbh Mela. In the monsoon season, the Hanuman statue is partially submerged in the Ganges River. According to a legend, a merchant left the idol at the Sangam. People believed that Hanuman wanted to stay here at this place. The temple is visited by tourists on special occasions such as Hanuman Jayanti and Tuesdays as well as Saturdays.
Best Things to Do in Prayagraj
There are a lot of things you can enjoy during your stay in Prayagraj. These things and activities are as follows:
Allahabad Museum
This is one of the largest museums in the country. Located inside the Chandrashekhar Azad Park, the Allahabad Museum is a must-visit place for visitors. A visit to this place offers a deep insight into the culture and heritage of India. It also offers valuable information to visitors about the history of the Indian independence movement. Once you are here, you can explore India through the artifacts related to architecture, archaeology, history, and art. The major key features of this museum include Rajasthan miniature paintings, artwork, and literary work from the Bengal School of Art, terracotta from Kaushambi, etc. You will also get to know about the Harappan Civilization, carvings used in the Gupta period, and the struggle for Indian independence while you are here.
All Saints Cathedral
Constructed in the nineteenth century, this is a beautiful church that is visited by tourists as well as pilgrims. Founded in the year 1871, All Saints Cathedral is also called the “Church of Stone.” You can explore the stunning Gothic architecture and appreciate the intricate details of the structure once you are here. Also, don’t forget to take part in the services that are hosted by the cathedral. You can participate in them and witness the religious ambiance of this place. The visitors will get to know about the construction, historical significance, and features of the cathedral after visiting it. Admire the marble-finished sanctuaries and carved glass panels of this church once you visit it. You will also get to see iconic Jalli work in the church.
Anand Bhawan
Another unique attraction of Prayagraj is Anand Bhawan. Here you can explore the museum that exhibits a large collection of personal items, photographs, and furniture items related to the Nehru family as well as the Indian freedom movement. You can also see a lot of photos of the meetings of the Congress. You will also find the photos of the conspirators who used to gather here to conspire against the British. Besides, you will find many books here that were used by Pandit Nehru. You can also explore the Jawahar Planetarium with your children when you are in Anand Bhawan. The planetarium runs many educational programs that develop the understanding of science in children.
Enjoy a Boat Ride in the Ganges
The best way to explore Prayagraj is through a boat ride on the Ganges. These rides are immensely popular as they help you witness the breathtaking view of Sangam. This is a holy site for Hindus and is visited by a large number of tourists across the country. You can observe the meeting points of the Ganges and Yamuna during your boat ride. You will enjoy the boat ride more if you are with your children.
Visit Mankameshwar Temple
Make sure to visit Mankameshwar Temple when you are in Prayagraj. You can enjoy the best time here whether you are on a solo tour or with a group. People who visit this temple can attend the evening aarti held at Saraswati Ghat. The temple offers a serene atmosphere for the devotees to meditate. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the Yamuna River while you are here. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Mankameshwar Temple is one of the popular places that is visited by innumerable tourists every year. You can seek the blessings of Shiva and perform important rituals and prayers here. Visiting the Mankameshwar Temple will be a great experience for you.
Visit Akshay Vat
Akshay Vat is also one of the best attractions of Prayagraj. Here, visitors can appreciate the banyan tree, which is believed to be an ancient tree. Apart from that, they can enjoy their visit to Patalpuri Temple. This is an underground temple that is situated within the Akshay Vat Complex. People believe that visiting the tree and performing important rituals here will cleanse sins and provide blessings from God. A legend attached to this place says that Lord Rama visited this tree during his exile and meditated here. People believe that this tree offered eternal blessings to Lord Rama and Sita.
Best Time to Visit Prayagraj
Most of you are confused about choosing the best time to visit Prayagraj. If you, too, are unable to choose the right time to visit this city, the following information will be beneficial for you:
October to March
If you want to explore Prayagraj, you must choose the right time to go there. Although you can visit Prayagraj throughout the year, the ideal time to visit this place is between October and March. At this time, the weather is favorable here, which lets the visitors explore Prayagraj without any difficulty. During this time, the visitors can take a boat ride, as the weather is pleasant during this time. Apart from the boating, you can also take a dip in the water during this time. If you are a birdwatcher, this is the right place for you to see a variety of migratory birds.
July to September
Although there is not much rainfall in Allahabad, the flow of the rivers is fast. You might experience light to moderate rainfall during this time. Thus, this is not a good time to visit Prayagraj. However, you will experience fewer crowds during this season. Plus, you will also get the right accommodation at discounted rates during this season.
April to June
During this time, there is extreme heat outside. The temperature increases up to 45 degrees Celsius during the day. Thus, it is advisable to avoid your visit to Prayagraj during this time. The average temperature ranges during these months are between 32 degrees and 45 degrees Celsius. While nights are pleasant, the days are extremely hot during this season. However, if you still want to visit this city, you must pack your essentials beforehand.
How to Reach Prayagraj?
Prayagraj is a great spiritual destination for Hindu devotees. The city is well-connected with all kinds of major cities in the country. Thus, you won’t face any problems while getting there. Some of the transport options that you can consider to reach here are: -
By Road
Prayagraj has a good network of roads that help you reach here without any difficulty. It is connected with the major national and state highways. Thus, you can reach here easily irrespective of the city you are living in. You can take the state-run buses to get here. Traveling to Allahabad via bus is a budget-friendly option for travelers. Thus, buses are the most popular means of transport. However, if you want to have a comfortable journey, you can book Volvo buses online. The fare of these buses is high, but they offer the desired comfort to travelers.
By Train
Traveling to Prayagraj by train is highly convenient and comfortable. Prayagraj has major stations such as City Station, Prayag Station, and Prayagraj Junction. These railway stations are connected with all the major cities of India, such as Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Lucknow, Guwahati, Bangalore, Jaipur, etc. You can book any train from your city and reach Prayagraj without any problem. After stepping down at the railway station, you can hire a taxi to reach your destination in Prayagraj.
By Air
You can reach Prayagraj via flight without any difficulty. Bamrauli Air Force Base, which is the Prayagraj Domestic Airport, is approximately. 12 km away from Prayagraj. This is a domestic airport and offers flights to a few cities in the country. Other airports that you will find here are Amausi International Airport in Lucknow (200 km) and Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Varanasi (150 km). Both these airports are connected to the major cities of the country. Some of the airlines that you can choose to reach Prayagraj are Kingfisher Airlines, Indigo, GoAir, SpiceJet, etc.
Shopping in Prayagraj
Prayagraj offers the shopaholics a great shopping experience. You will find many famous markets in Prayagraj. They are as follows:
Katra Market
Explore the Katra market and buy a variety of goods from here. You will find many handicraft showrooms and international brands in the market. Some of the items that you can find here include spices, household items, textiles, jewelry, etc. However, it is advisable to bargain with the local vendors. This will help you get your items at the best prices. Katra is one of the best shopping destinations in Prayagraj for visitors. Thus, you must explore this market during your Prayagraj visit.
Chowk Market
It is a vibrant market that is flooded with ethnic clothing, handcrafted items, and local delicacies. This makes it a great destination for shopaholics looking to buy souvenirs during their stay at Prayagraj. It is one of the ancient markets in the city, which is famous for its Ghantaghar Clock. You will love to shop here, as you can buy everything here at the best rates. Apart from the shopping, you can also enjoy local food here, such as dahi jalebi, chaat, bhang kulfi, kulfi falooda, etc.
Mayo Road Market
This is another popular shopping zone in Prayagraj. It is well known for its great collection of clothing, household goods, and electronics. You can buy them at the best prices here.
Lakshmi Market
You can also visit Lakshmi Market when you are in Prayagraj. It is known for its goods, various items, and clothing. You will love to explore this market, as you will find the best deals here.
Civil Lines
Another popular market in Prayagraj is Civil Lines, which has branded stores and street markets. While you are here, you can buy beautiful handicraft items. You will find unique items here.
M.G. Marg
This place is a premier shopping destination that is extremely popular among tourists. Once you are here, you can explore the street shops and malls here. Apart from that, you can also enjoy the best street food here.
Getting Around in Prayagraj
You will find many transport options in Prayagraj that let you travel easily from one place to another. Auto rickshaws are easily available for tourists, which take them from one place to another within the city. The best part is that you don’t need to spend too much money to go from one place to another within Allahabad.
You can also catch the buses here to move within the city. They are operated in the city by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. You can take these buses from anywhere within the city. They are the cheapest transport for the locals. Apart from the state-run buses, you can also find many Volvo buses that are operating in the city and offer great comfort and convenience for the passengers.
Things to Consider Before Visiting Prayagraj
Some of the important things that you should consider before visiting Prayagraj are as follows:
- If you are exploring Allahabad for the first time, you should keep a map with you. This will help you understand the directions to worthwhile places in Allahabad. Plus, it will also help minimize your travel-related stress during your tour.
- You should also gather more and more information about Prayagraj before visiting it. This will let you learn important information about the city and its worthwhile attractions. It is advisable to contact your friends who have already visited this city and get adequate information from them before visiting Allahabad.
- Make sure to carry important medicines with you during your Allahabad tour. This will prevent any medical emergency during your tour.
- You must hire a guide if you are visiting the historical monuments of Allahabad. They will offer you valuable information about all the historical monuments you will visit in the city.
- Do not go to remote areas at night during your Allahabad tour. This will prevent any risk of theft during your visit.
- Take extreme care while attending the festivals. Keep your belongings close to you during these celebrations.
- You must stay hydrated all the time during your Allahabad tour. This will help you prevent any medical emergency during your tour.
- If you are a solo female traveler, you need to take extreme care while visiting Allahabad.
