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Dewa Sharif

Dewa Sharif  is a religious & holy shrine of Haji Waris Ali Shah, in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. This town is also known by the name of Dewa Sharif in respect for the shrine.

Approximately Dewa is 41 kms (25 miles) far from Lucknow. One can easily reach through the public transports such as a cab or bus & trains too from Charbagh Railway station.

Dewa Mela

 HIGHLIGHTS OF FAIR AND EXHIBITION

The Dewa Fair, which attracts pilgrims and visitors from all parts of the country to the mausoleum of the great Saint, comes in full swing with the ceremony of Chadar presentation on  the tombs of Haji Waris Ali Shah and his father. Embroided sheets of Varanasi Silk are placed on the tombs of Haji Sahab and his father Haji Qurban Ali Shah.

These sheets are carried in silver plates in a procession. Qawwalis and devotional songs are recited all the way by professional singers as the procession wends its way to the mausoleums. Pilgrims also carry Chadars singing their way to the shrines.

There is much of interest to the peasantry in Dewa Fair. A big cattle market is the highlight of the fair and is the main source of its revenue. The cattle market has been split into various portions each being reserved for a particular species of animals.

The demonstration of improved agricultural implements and engines for pumping of water for irrigation draw large crowd of cultivators. Concerns dealing in chemicals fertilizers arrange free distribution of packets and literature explaining the use and effects of various types of fertilizers.

The cynosure of all eyes at the Dewa Fair is a decorated exhibition consisting of stalls of various departments, depicting the activities and achievements through colourful exhibits arranged in any eye-catching manner. The exhibits portray through pictures, photographs and models methods to contain the population explosion. In another stall are placed on view various exhibits showing the cultural life and historical places of the state and also national building schemes.

Some field demonstrations are also arranged by agriculture and Cane departments to explain improved farm strategies to agriculturists. Improved agricultural implements are also on show. 

A good treat of cultural programmes are held at the fair by conducting Mushaira, Kavi sammelan, Music Conference and Debate in a decorated pandal.

Sports loving people find great pleasure in events like Hockey, Volleyball, and Badminton tournaments as well as Rifle shooting and Kite Flying programmes.


The Dewa Fair which is regarded as one of the finest and neatest fair in the state has its own water supply arrangement. The exhibition association every year spend large amounts in maintaining sanitary and conservancy service to keep the Mela area spite and span. Treatment facilities and First-Aid services are provided free of cost during the ten days Mela period. An elaborate arrangement is made to maintain law and order and regulate traffic arrangement by having a full-fledged Kotwali, Wireless Station, Walkie-Talkie sets and central Loudspeaker system. Evenings, in the fair provide greater attractions for the visitors as the entire township in the fair is transformed into a fairy land with millions of colored lights.

The Kumbh Mela - Allahabad

Allahabad was originally named as "Prayag", which means "a place of offerings", represents the union of three major & sacred rivers of India, i.e., The Ganges, The Yamuna & The Saraswati. The Union of these three rivers also termed as "The Sangam", during a certain time period in a year is celebrated as "Kumbh Mela" in the city by the shore of "Sangam",where millions  of devotees & saints pray & take a dip in the holy sangam. 

Allahabad host the largest religious gathering in the world known as Maha Kumbh Mela which is celebrated every twelve years and Ardh (half) Kumbh Mela is celebrated every six years.

I also got the chance to visit & experience this auspicious event. Among the throngs of thousands of people I got to feel the true essence of devotion people carry in their hearts & soul.

Following are the details of the whole event which might be helpful for understanding the importance of "The Kumbh Mela"

KUMBH MELA

It is believed in the ancient times during an ongoing war between the demons and the demigods for the possession of the elixir of immortality, a few drops fell to earth at four places: Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik, and Ujjain. And it is at each of the four places that Kumbh Mela, the gathering of millions: devout and common witnesses from all over India and rest of the world, is held and is a sight like no other. Based on astrological calculations it returns to each place after a gap of twelve years, bigger each time.

The story that the drops of nectar of immortality fell near Sangam is believed by the people to have given mystical powers to the place as millions gather at the ghats to purge themselves of all sins by taking a dip in the waters and attain Moksha (Salvation). Young and old, fit and frail; all regions, castes, and creed aside, it becomes the single most brilliantly unifying experience ever. The place itself, overrun by Naga Sadhus, who never wear any clothes and are always smeared in ash; Urdhwavahurs, non-indulgent in physical pleasures; Parivajakas, having taken a vow of silence; and Shirshasins, who stand for all 24 hours and meditate, transforms as if from another realm.

Sangam (Allahabad)

Located about 7 Km from the Civil Lines Township in Allahabad is the holy site of Sangam where Kumbh Mela is held. It is at Sangam, a Sanskrit word for Confluence, where the union of three of the holiest rivers according to the Hindu Mythology - Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati takes place. While the brownish Ganges meets the Greenish Yamuna, both of which have an earthly origin in the Himalayan mountain range, Saraswati on the other hand has no physical form and is believed to exist ethereally, without being visible to the human eye. Mentioned in the sacred texts many times over, it is in Prayaga (ancient name for Allahabad) that Saraswati is believed to meet with Ganga and Yamuna. It is also believed to flow beneath the surface by few. The place is also known as Triveni Sangam because of the amalgamation of three rivers, and the combined sacredness of the three rivers coupled with the mythological legend, according to which a few drops of nectar that turns mortal to immortal had fallen here, has made Allahabad the Tirthraja or, The King of Holy Places. This is precisely why Kumbh Mela organized in Allahabad is of a different level and attracts millions of devotees to the shores.

However, Sangam adorns an altogether different look when Kumbh Mela pays it a visit. All the pleasures of a comfortable life are shunned for the time by millions of devotees - young and old, and the troubled & blessed; coming together to take a bath at the very confluence for purgative effects. It is believed that a bath at the confluence of these three rivers increases the bather’s purification by hundred times. Whereas during the period of Kumbh Mela (special dates assigned for spiritual bathing), it is believed that it is a thousand times stronger an influence. Apart from self-purification purposes, thousands of people also flock to the shores during Kumbh Mela to offer pind for their deceased parents. It is not only the devout that makes the Ghats of Sangam their temporary home, but the event is also an opportunity for the foreigners who are consistently fascinated by Hindu mythologies and culture, to witness the same in the grandest of fashions. And seeing endless millions, pilgrims and audience, gathered as far as the eyes can see, on the Ghats is an indescribable feeling! It happens only at Sangam!

Allahabad Kumbh Mela Dates

In Allahabad it is celebrated in the month of January-February when Jupiter is in Aries or Taurus and Sun and Moon are in Capricorn during the Hindu month of Magha. In the year 2013, beginning from 27th January to 25th of February; all this will once again be the centre of attraction and attention from world over. Estimates suggest that in the Maha Kumbh Mela held in Allahabad in the year 2001, nearly 60 million took a bath at the occasion and if the forecasts are to be believed, the next one will garner an even bigger gathering than the previous one.

Other Tourist Attractions

• Allahabad Fort

Built by Emperor Akbar in 1583 AD, the Allahabad Fort is a fine example of Mughal design and craftsmanship that is unrivalled, to say the least. Situated at the banks of the river Yamuna, the fort is presently used by the army and a limited area is opened for visitors.

• Patalpuri Temple

Located inside the Allahabad Fort is the underground temple called Patalpuri. The temple is famous for housing an immortal banyan tree known as Akshaya Vat, which is much revered by the devotees as it is believed to be visited by Lord Rama himself. The tree has been mentioned in several ancient scriptures and writings of historians.

• Asoka Pillar

Asoka Pillar, a 10.6 meters (35 feet) high figure, is also located in the front of the entrance to the Allahabad Fort. Made of polished sandstone, the pillar contains several Asokan edicts and a Persian inscription of the great Mughal Emperor, Jehangir.

• Hanuman Mandir

Located near Sangam, the confluence of three holy rivers of India - Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati, is a famous temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple houses one big idol of Lord Hanuman in a slightly reclined posture. When the water of Ganga overflows, the temple gets submerged.

• Swaraj Bhawan & Anand Bhawan

Anand Bhawan is the ancestral home of the Nehru family where many decisions and events related to the freedom struggle have been known to take place. Today it is a museum which houses the memorabilia of the Nehru family. Swaraj Bhawan, on the other hand, used to be the headquarters of the Congress Committee. Both the Bhawans together served as the Parliament during the British Raj era.

• Chandra Shekhar Azad Park
• All Saints Cathedral
• Khusro Bagh
• Sangam
• Swaraj Bhawan
• Mayo Memorial Hall
• Muir College
• Jawahar Planetarium
• Minto Park
• Mankameshwar Temple
• Water Sports at Yamuna River

Travelling to Allahabad

• By Air

The Allahabad Domestic Airport, also known as Bamrauli Air Force Base, is 12 Km from Allahabad and though it is operational for domestic flights, it serves only a limited number of cities in India. Other two nearest airports from Allahabad are Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport in Varanasi (150 Km) and Amausi International Airport in Lucknow (200 Km). Both these airports are well connected to rest of the major cities of India. Daily flights from major airlines like Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, and Spice Jet are available. Local cabs and Interstate buses can be boarded from near the airports to reach Allahabad.

• By Rail

Being the headquarters of the North Central Railway Zone in India, Allahabad has eight railway stations within its city limits, all of which are well connected to many of the major cities of India namely - Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bhopal, Gwalior, Jaipur etc. Cabs, Auto Rickshaws, and City buses are available near all the railway stations to reach your onward destination.

• By Road

As Allahabad is located in the heartland of the great Indian plains, the road density is quite high in these parts and is well connected to rest of the country via National and State Highways. The NH2 runs right through the city while NH27 starts from Allahabad and ends at Mangawan in Madhya Pradesh. NH96 connects to NH28 in Faizabad and brings together two major centers of Hindu Pilgrimage - Allahabad and Ayodhya. The three bus stands of Allahabad cater to different routes of the country through interstate bus services. Local transportation like tourist taxis, cabs, auto rickshaws, and local buses are also available that connects you to various parts of Allahabad and some neighboring cities.

Distance from Major Cities of India

• Agra 433 KM
• Kanpur 200 KM
• Ayodhya 167 KM
• Mumbai 1444 KM
• Lucknow 204 KM
• Kolkata 799 KM
• Chennai 1790 KM
• Patna 368 KM
• Trivandrum 2413 KM
• Delhi 643 KM
• Udaipur 956 KM
• Varanasi 125 KM
• Jaipur 673 KM

Accommodation

Deluxe Hotels, Budget Hotels, Heritage Hotels, Guesthouses, Dharamshalas, and Camps; Allahabad offers all kinds of accommodations in different locations, allowing you to choose one as per your comfort.