Prayagraj is crowned in ancient scriptures as ‘Prayag’, ‘Prayagraj’ or ‘Teertharaj’, is considered as one of the holiest of pilgrimage centre of India. This city 135 kms from Varanasi, is connected through rail and road. The Kumbh, held in every six years and Maha Kumbh in every 12 years at Prayagraj (Sangam), are the largest gatherings of pilgrims on this earth. The city has been a witness to many important events in India’s freedom struggle such as emergence of the first Indian National Congress in 1885, the beginning of Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violence movement in 1920.
Sangam, Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj Fort, Patalpuri Temple, Lord Hanuman Mandir, Shankar Viman Mandapam, Mankameshwar Temple, Minto Park, Ganga Gallery, Swaraj Bhawan, Anand Bhawan, Jawahar Planetarium, Sai Dham Mandir, Prayagraj Museum, Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, All Saints Cathedral Church (Patthar Girjaghar), Khusro Bagh, Public Library, Mayo Memorial Hall, Shringverpur are the places that define Prayagraj as unique place.
This is the point where the brown water of the Ganga meets the green water of the Yamuna, along with the mythical Saraswati, which remains unseen but believed to run underground. According to legends, Vishnu was carrying a Kumbh (pot) of amrit (nectar), when a scuffle broke out and four drops were spilled. They fell to earth at the four Tirthas of Prayag, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. A tirtha is a place where the devout can attain salvation. The event is commemorated every three years by the Kumbh Mela, held at each tirtha in turn; the Sangam is known as Tirtharaj, the ‘King of Tirthas’ and here the Kumbh is held once in every twelve years, which is the greatest and holiest of all.
Prayagraj Fort
The massive fort built by Emperor Akbar in 1583 AD stands on the banks of the Yamuna, close to the confluence site. In its prime, the fort was unrivalled for its design, construction and craftsmanship.
Swaraj Bhawan
The old Anand Bhawan, was donated in 1930 to the Nation by Moti Lal Nehru, to be used as the headquarters of the Congress Committee. Moti Lal Nehru renamed it as Swaraj Bhawan. Late Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born here.
Anand Bhawan
Here, many momentous decisions, events, related to the freedom struggle took place. The main building houses a museum which displays the memorabilia of the Nehru family.
Chandra Shekhar Azad Park (Alfred Park)
It has some fine colonial buildings, including the public library, G.N. Jha Research Institute and the statue of Chandra Shekhar Azad, the great martyr who laid down his life fighting British force here.