Allahabad Tourism 2024 > (Prayagraj) Uttar Pradesh

Prayagraj Travel Essentials

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Allahabad

"Prayaga- The city of offerings"

Prayagraj Tourism

Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, is a city located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Reminiscent of all that is spiritual and sacred in Hinduism, Prayagraj is famous for Triveni Sangam or the meeting point of three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. Built on the site of the ancient town of Prayag, Prayagraj has, since time immemorial, held the largest Hindu gathering on the banks of the Sangam - the Maha Kumbh Mela. While the Sangam city is often passed over for more travel-friendly cities, there is a lot to Prayagraj besides just its religion.

Prayag or Prayagraj had been the ancient name of the city of Allahabad. Pra means “first” and Yag means “devotion”. Prayag also signifies the coming together of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. After the Mughal invasion, Emperor Akbar, impressed by the location named the city Ilahabas which meant “Abode of God”. Emperor Shah Jahan, his grandson, renamed the city to Allahabad.

One of the top places to visit in Prayagraj, if you’re spiritually inclined (and even if you’re not because this place deserves a visit), Triveni Sangam is a place bustling with tourists and locals all year round. The Maha Kumbh Mela is a religious occasion that is held here every twelve years and is attended by millions of pilgrims from all across the globe. The Allahabad Fort is another monument of historical significance and is a heritage site recognized by UNESCO. Built during the reign of Akbar, this fort is also a fine example of the curation and craftsmanship of the Mughal era.

Other popular places to visit in Allahabad include the Anand Bhavan, All Saints Cathedral, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, and Allahabad Museum.

Prayagraj is mentioned in the Hindu Scripture Mahabharata as Kaushambi, the place where the Kuru rulers of Hastinapur made their capital. It was also a provincial capital of the Mughals under the rule of Jahangir. The places ooze heritage, history, and stories galore, and once you visit, you will have seen Prayagraj differently for having travelled to and through it.

Prayag Kumbh Mela 2025

Triveni Sangam

Khusro Bagh

Anand Bhawan

Allahabad Museum

Allahabad Fort

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Prayagraj Travel Packages

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6 Days / 5 Nights

Varanasi Tour Package Including Naimisharanya Trip

Varanasi(1N) → Allahabad(1N) → Ayodhya(1N) → Lucknow(2N)

$228/person

4 Days / 3 Nights

Kumbh Mela 2025 with Banaras Package

Varanasi(1N) → Allahabad(2N)

$361/person

4 Days / 3 Nights

Uttar Pradesh Triangle Tour Package

Ayodhya(1N) → Prayagraj(1N) → Varanasi(1N)

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4.9 (342 reviews)

$ 144

16% off

$120/person

6 Days / 5 Nights

Ayodhya Tour Package with Varanasi, Prayagraj a...

Varanasi(2N) → Prayagraj(1N) → Ayodhya(1N) → Lucknow(1N)

$258/person

7 Days / 6 Nights

Uttar Pradesh Pilgrimage Odyssey: Varanasi, Pra...

Varanasi(2N) → Prayagraj(1N) → Chitrakoot (1N) → Ayodhya(1N) → Varanasi(1N)

$307/person

6 Days / 5 Nights

Trip to Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi - 5 Nig...

Varanasi(2N) → Prayagraj(1N) → Ayodhya(1N) → Varanasi(1N)

$270/person

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Ganga - The Soul of India

The Ganga flows down from the Himalayas and meanders through almost all of North India before slowing down near Allahabad and meeting with the Yamuna that follows a similar trajectory slightly north of Ganga. This place where two real and one mythical river (Saraswati) meet is called the 'Triveni Sangam' and is one of the holiest sites for Hindus. These rivers have now become part of the lives of people of Allahabad.

The peaceful Ghats, lazy sunsets and daily aartis at the riverbanks are some of the most beautiful spectacles the city has to offer. There are many temples, forts and monuments belonging to all time periods built along the banks of the Ganga and this is a testament to the undying spirit and the immense importance the river has in Indian life.

History of Prayagraj

Allahabad’s name has been mentioned quite a few times in the Purans, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The Hindu mythology states that Lord Bramha chose a land on Earth to perform a Yajna at the beginning of creation. This place was known as Prayag.

One can also find references to the city of Allahabad in the works of Huien Tsang, the Chinese chronicler. Allahabad’s British history started in 1801 when the Nawab of Oudh surrendered it to the British which was later used for military purposes by the British. The city of Allahabad has a great significance in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. After this, the city was merged with Punjab. Later, the capital of Northwest Provinces in India was shifted to Allahabad.

This culturally rich city has always been under the influence of various tribes who have tried to conquer the city at various points in time. The Marathas, the Mughals and the British have also tried to leave their mark on the land at some time or other.

The Heart of the Hindi Culture

Allahabad has been referred to as Prayag in many ancient scriptures like the Vedas, Mahabharat and Ramayana and is believed to be the second-oldest city in India. It has for long been the centre of literary, scholastic and spiritual activity and is a cultural hub in North India. Famed for its sweet and pure Hindi, this city has given the country many great writers and poets.

Over the years, the culture of the town has embraced its Hindu, Muslim and Christian rulers wholeheartedly and this confluence of history is reflected in the diverse architectural styles seen in the city. Ancient temples stand beside Mughal forts and British gardens as citizens today equally belong to all three.

Kumbh Mela

The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad is the greatest confluence of people on earth - and by a huge magnitude. Kumbh Melas are held in four cities in India - Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain, but the one in Allahabad is way bigger than anywhere else and bigger than anything you could imagine. To give you an idea of the scale of the event - an estimated 120 million (12 cr) people visited the 2013 Kumbh Mela which was held over an area of atleast 10kms x 4kms.

The Kumbh Mela is mainly a religious aggregation - but for tourists, there is a lot to see and do. Just walking around the mela, sitting on the banks of the river and taking a dip in Sangam is an experience in itself. You can attend one of the hundreds of ashrams and listen to the sermons, or you can check out the street food which is available in abundance throughout the mela, or just be amazed by the sheer scale and size of the human gathering. If you want to get a feel of authentic, rural India - this is one of the most incredible events to do that.

The last Kumbh mela was held in 2013, which means the next big one would be held in 2025. However, if you can't wait till then, you could plan to visit during the 2019 ardh-kumbh (semi-Kumbh) mela - which is pretty big in scale itself. Otherwise, the Magh mela which is held every year is something that you can visit - although you should multiply the scale by 10 to get an idea of what the real Kumbh mela looks like.

Restaurants and Local Food in Prayagraj

Street foods in Allahabad are very popular among the locals and tourists alike. A lot of shops in the old city area (mainly Chowk and Katra) are famous for their variety of street food. It is a foodie’s paradise as there are varieties of chaats, kebabs and sweets that can be found in its quirky eateries.

Loknath is a very narrow and crowded lane in Chowk area which is very popular with street food lovers - you would find everything from chaat to kachori to khasta/dum aloo to lassi to halwa here - to name a few. One of the most popular shops is the Hari namkeen which is famous for its unique samosas. One can expect to get a taste of Mughal cuisine as well as Awadhi cuisine.

Some of the most famous eateries are Eat On Masala Restaurant, which serves finger-licking biryani and kebabs, and Netaram Kachori Sabji and Jalebi, which is known for its kachoris and jalebis prepared in desi ghee. For a sweet tooth, Heera Halwai is the best place to go and taste the delicious Gari ki Barfi.
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Suggested Itinerary for Prayagraj

Day 1: Arrive in Allahabad by bus, train or air. Proceed to the hotel to relax and shed the travel fatigue. After lunch, visit the Hanuman Mandir, one of the most famous temples in the city. In the late afternoon, head to the Triveni Sangam - the most popular tourist spot and also one of the holiest sites for Hindus. You and also stay a little longer to witness the grand Ganga Aarti on Ganga Ghat but be prepared for a hoard of people to arrive as this is a very popular activity among tourists and devout locals. At night, you can enjoy the city vistas and perhaps try some local food in one of the many street markets famous for fried snacks and sweets.

Day 2: Leave early to visit the Allahabad Fort built by Akbar in 1583. Though only a small part of this fort is open to civilians and the rest is used by the army, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Allahabad. The haloed Akshaya Vat (immortal banyan tree) is also located within the premises of the fort. After lunch, head to Anand Bhavan, the ancestral home of the Nehru-Gandhi family that was built by Motilal Nehru. The Jawahar Planetarium is located inside the complex and is worth a visit. Anand Bhavan has now been converted into a museum depicting the life and times of the Nehru-Gandhi family.

Day 3: Leave for the All Saint's Cathedral also known as Patthar Girija in the morning. This cathedral invites people of all faiths who want to feel close to God. Visit the Allahabad Museum just before lunch to get a glimpse of the rich history of this region. In the evening, head to Madan Mohan Malviya (Minto) Park, where the East India company transferred power to the British monarch, thus making India a colony of Britain. Proceed to departure point by bus, train or air.

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Bandhavgarh National Park

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How to Reach Prayagraj

How to Reach Overview

Allahabad is one of the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh and is also centrally located making it very well connected by bus, car, train and air. The most convenient way to reach this city from outside UP is by train or by flight, but within the state, road travel is more convenient and economical. Buses, trains and flights regularly ply to and from other cities in the state as well other major cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata.

How to reach Prayagraj by flight

Although Allahabad has its own airport, there is currently only one flight every day from Delhi (Air India). If you want to reach completely by flight, you can take the connecting flight from Delhi. Another option would be to take a flight to Varanasi (120 km) or Lucknow (200 km) and take an AC bus/cab from there.

How to reach Prayagraj by road

Allahabad falls on the NH-2 which runs from Delhi to Kolkata and is part of the Golden Quadrilateral - so the road connectivity from Delhi/Agra/Kanpur/Varanasi/Patna/Kolkata is great. The highway is smooth and very well maintained, and not at all crowded. The road from Lucknow to Allahabad is also pretty good.
There are also quite a few frequent Volvo bus services to Allahabad from Varanasi/Lucknow which have very comfortable seats and run throughout the day, so you can practically just reach the bus station and catch the next bus.

How to reach Prayagraj by train

Allahabad is the headquarters of the North-Central division of Indian railways and is very well connected by train to most major cities in India. There are numerous overnight trains from Delhi/Kolkata, and a lot of trains connecting to nearby cities (Varanasi/Lucknow/Kanpur/Agra) so this is one of the most convenient options. There are quite a few Rajdhanis/Durontos connecting Allahabad to Delhi/Kolkata/Mumbai, so this is one of the most convenient ways to reach Allahabad.

Local transport in Prayagraj

Ola cabs are easily available and the most convenient mode of transport within the city. Other than that, autorickshaws as well as cycle-rickshaws are easily available here. Since the city is not too large and traffic is not much of an issue, you can use cycle-rickshaws for traveling, even all the way upto Sangam banks.
There are a couple of bus routes as well but they mostly run through the residential parts of the city, not the touristy places, so don't depend on them too much.

Most frequently searched routes to Prayagraj

Route Name	Distance	Time	More Information
Varanasi to Prayagraj	121 km	2 hours 28 mins	View Details
Delhi to Prayagraj	697 km	10 hours 18 mins	View Details
Hyderabad to Prayagraj	1,136 km	21 hours 11 mins	View Details
Mumbai to Prayagraj	1,559 km	1 day 0 hours	View Details
Ahmedabad to Prayagraj	1,290 km	19 hours 33 mins	View Details
Bangalore to Prayagraj	1,725 km	1 day 4 hours	View Details

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Prayagraj Photos

Triveni Sangam - Point of Confluence of 3 Rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati

Khusro Bagh - One of the Most Visited Tourists Attraction Built by King Jahangir

Anand Bhavan - Former Home of Gandhi-Nehru Family

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FAQs on Prayagraj

What are the places near Prayagraj?

The top places near to Prayagraj are Varanasi which is 114 km from Prayagraj, Vindhyachal which is located 72 km from Prayagraj, Sarnath which is located 118 km from Prayagraj, Chitrakoot which is located 102 km from Prayagraj, Agra which is located 428 km from Prayagraj.

What is the best way to reach Prayagraj?

What is the local food in Prayagraj?

Street foods in Prayagraj are very popular among the locals and tourists alike. A lot of shops in the old city area (mainly Chowk and Katra) are famous for their variety of street food. It is a foodie’s paradise as there are varieties of chaats, kebabs and sweets that can be found in its quirky eateries.

Loknath is a very narrow and crowded lane in Chowk area which is very popular with street food lovers - you would find everything from chaat to kachori to khasta/dum aloo to lassi to halwa here - to name a few. One of the most popular shops is the Hari namkeen which is famous for its unique samosas. One can expect to get a taste of Mughal cuisine as well as Awadhi cuisine.

Some of the most famous eateries are Eat On Masala Restaurant, which serves finger-licking biryani and kebabs, and Netaram Kachori Sabji and Jalebi, which is known for its kachoris and jalebis prepared in desi ghee. For a sweet tooth, Heera Halwai is the best place to go and taste the delicious Gari ki Barfi.
Read More

What is the best time to visit Prayagraj?

The best time to visit Prayagraj is during the winter months of October to March. Magh Mela typically happens in the month of mid-January - early March (according to Hindu Calendar), and this is the time when thousands of people flock to the town to take a dip in holy Sangam. However, the Maha Kumbh happens only once in 12 years during the same months, and should not be missed.

Though Prayagraj is accessible throughout the year and tourists sites are also always open, summer temperatures can get uncomfortably high, and it is best to avoid this time. During the monsoon, the Ghats may not be accessible, and there are restrictions on people bathing in the river so this time too is not ideal.
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Who should visit Prayagraj?

Perfect for family vacation, those interested in religious tourism, photographers and cultural connoisseurs who want to experience the life in Prayagraj. This places also sees a lot of foreigners who want to witness the majesty of the Ganga.

What is not so good about Prayagraj?

Summers can get very hot. Can get crowded during the tourist season and the months of Kumbh Mela. Some places are not very clean.

What is famous about Prayagraj?

Very well connected by road, rail and air. One of the foremost religious sites in India. Excellent for a family vacation.

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Prayagraj Reviews

Your rating

56_Singh_Kushagra

3 years ago

It's a wonderful place,where Chandrasekhar Azad become azad,Indra get married,three rivers merge here.It was constructed by? Prayag in modern-day Allahabad is believed to be the most important pilgri (Read More)mage centre for Hindus. Traditionally river confluences are regarded? Allahabad University was established on 23rd of September, 1887; it is the fourth

Ayushman Tiwari

3 years ago

Mind blowing city with lots of heritage sites like khuro bagh, sangam, bade hanuman mandir and off course Kumbh mela. It is must visit city, best time is january when Kumbh Mela is organised. Love th (Read More)is holy city.

Shreyas Kapoor

6 years ago

While on sangam, do bargain for cheaper rides. Delicacies on sangam include puri subji, chana zor garam. If you are going during winter season, you can witness lots of migratory birds and can feed th (Read More)em. Popular places for shopping are Chowk, Karta and Civil Lines.

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Prayagraj

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Prayagraj Travel Essentials

Allahabad

"Prayaga- The city of offerings"

Prayagraj Tourism

Places To Visit In Prayagraj

Prayagraj Travel Packages

Varanasi Tour Package Including Naimisharanya Trip

Kumbh Mela 2025 with Banaras Package

Uttar Pradesh Triangle Tour Package

Ayodhya Tour Package with Varanasi, Prayagraj a...

Uttar Pradesh Pilgrimage Odyssey: Varanasi, Pra...

Trip to Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi - 5 Nig...

Top Hotels In Prayagraj

Top Food and Dinning Collection in Prayagraj

More on Prayagraj Travel

Ganga - The Soul of India

History of Prayagraj

The Heart of the Hindi Culture

Kumbh Mela

Restaurants and Local Food in Prayagraj

Suggested Itinerary for Prayagraj

Best Time to Visit Prayagraj

Top Stories about Prayagraj Tourism

Nearby Places

How to Reach Prayagraj

How to Reach Overview

How to reach Prayagraj by flight

How to reach Prayagraj by road

How to reach Prayagraj by train

Local transport in Prayagraj

Most frequently searched routes to Prayagraj

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What is the local food in Prayagraj?

What is the best time to visit Prayagraj?

Who should visit Prayagraj?

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