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.
