Allahabad The
modern city of Allahabad is noted for having links with or having produced
presidents and premiers, both at the national as well as state levels. From the
first prime minister of India - Pt. Nehru to Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi,
Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh and Chandra Shekhar to Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma(ex -
President) and a plethora of bureaucrats and people who have been adorning
gubernatorial positions, Allahabad has remained on the forefront of national
importance. Allahabad is the land of the holy sangam where religion, history and
culture come together. Legends have it that the Creator god of the trinity, Lord
Brahma chose this land for the 'Prakishta Yagna',on which the three rivers -
Ganga,Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati- would flow in a quiet confluence.
Blessed by the gods, that land came to be known as 'Prayag' or 'Allahabad'. A
peaceful city and one of the most sacred of pilgrimage centers of India, Lord
Brahma referred to as 'Tirth Raj' or the "king of all Pilgrimage
centers". The place springs to life during religious festivals and fairs,
particularly the massive Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years. Come 1575 A.D, Mughal
monarch Akbar founded a lavish city and called it 'Allahabad', the abode of god.
Over the centuries, Allahabad retained its strategic importance and otherwise
too, more so during the Indian independence struggle in the first half of the
20th century. As of now,Allahabad is an important city where the confluence of
history, religion and culture is as magnificent as the sacred rivers that flow
through this God-graced land. Sangam
The
sacred Sangam is the confluence of three of the holiest rivers in Hindu
mythology - Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. It is believed that
it is at the Sangam, that a few drops of the nectar 'Amrit Bindu' fell ...
making its waters truly magical. At the Sangam, the waters of the Ganges
and the Yamuna can be distinctly seen to merge into one. It is during the
Kumbh Mela and the Ardh Kumbh that the Sangam truly comes alive ...
attracting the devout from all across the country. The holy Sangam is the
site for most of the important fairs and festivals the year round. Allahabad
Fort Built by Emperor Akbar in 1583 A.D., the fort stands on the banks of the
Yamuna near the confluence site. In its prime, the fort was unrivaled for
its design, construction and craftsmanship. This huge, majestic fort has
three magnificent galleries flanked by high towers. Top Patalpuri Temple
Within this underground temple, inside the fort, lies the Akshayavat - or
the immortal tree. Believed to have been visited by Lord Rama, the temple
was also seen by the famous Chinese traveler and writer Hiuen Tsang during
his visit to the place. Ashoka Pillar This gigantic Ashoka pillar, of polished sandstone stands 10.6 meters
high, dating back to 232 B.C. The Pillar has several edicts and a Persian
inscription of Emperor Jahangir inscribed on it, commemorating his
accession to the throne. Akshayavat The immortal tree within the Patalpuri temple has found mention in the
descriptions of several ancient scriptures, writers and historians. The
tree stands in a deep niche above an underground shaft, which is said to
lead to Triveni. Hanuman
Temple This unique temple at the Sangam, is the only one in North India, where
the idol of Lord Hanuman is seen in a reclining posture. Top Anand
Bhawan
The erstwhile ancestral home of the Nehru family, the Bhawan has witnessed
several history - making events of the freedom struggle. The main building
houses a museum which displays the memorabilia of the Nehru family. All
Saints Cathedral
Dedicated to the memory of people of all ages and places who have kept their
faith in God. The All Saints Cathedral is one of the finest cathedrals in this
part of the country. Designed more than a century ago, by Sir William Emerson,
the eminent architect who also designed the Victoria Memorial, Calcutta, the
Cathedral has some truly exceptional stained glass murals. It is also called
Patthar Girja. Beni
Madhav Temple
It is an old Laxmi Narain temple in Daraganj locality. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu is
believed to have paid his homage here. Top
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