This sacred Indian city sits at the meeting point of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, hosting the Kumbh Mela festival and centuries-old temples that draw millions of pilgrims yearly.
Prayagraj sits where the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati rivers meet, a place called Triveni Sangam. Every 12 years, millions gather here for the Kumbh Mela, filling the riverbanks with tents and ceremonies. You can walk through the red sandstone halls of Allahabad Fort, built by Emperor Akbar, or visit the white marble arches of All Saints Cathedral, a church from the British colonial era. The Ashoka Pillar, carved with ancient scripts, stands near the fort, and the Anand Bhavan museum displays letters and photographs from India’s fight for independence. Along the rivers, priests perform daily rituals, and students fill the courtyards of Allahabad University, one of the country’s oldest colleges.
Visiting the Triveni Sangam and Kumbh Mela
The Triveni Sangam, where the Ganges and Yamuna meet, draws pilgrims year-round for ritual baths and prayers. Boats take you to the exact point where the rivers merge; the Ganges appears pale yellow, the Yamuna darker green. Every 12 years, the Kumbh Mela turns this area into a massive camp with temporary bridges, medical tents, and food stalls. The next major event in 2025 will spread across 4,000 hectares, with police patrols and shuttle buses to manage crowds. Even outside the festival, you can watch priests chant hymns and light oil lamps at sunrise.
Mughal Monuments and Colonial Buildings
Allahabad Fort, completed in 1583, has thick walls and a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Inside, the Ashoka Pillar dates back to 238 BCE, its surface covered in Sanskrit inscriptions. A short walk leads to Khusro Bagh, a walled garden with three Mughal tombs decorated with carvings of flowers and geometric patterns. From the 19th century, All Saints Cathedral rises with pointed arches and stained-glass windows depicting biblical scenes. Nearby, Alfred Park marks the spot where freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad died resisting British arrest—a stone pillar now stands where he fell.
Museums, Temples, and Universities
Anand Bhavan, once home to Jawaharlal Nehru, displays his personal belongings and maps of key independence protests. The Allahabad Museum, 3 km west of the Sangam, holds stone sculptures from the Gupta Empire and medieval manuscripts. For astronomy enthusiasts, the Jawahar Planetarium projects shows about constellations and space travel. Smaller temples like Mankameshwar, with its black stone Shiva idol, offer quieter spaces for reflection compared to the busy river ghats.
Festivals Beyond the Kumbh Mela
In January and February, the Magh Mela brings ascetics to set up camps along the river, offering blessings in exchange for donations. The Indira Marathon in December sees runners cross the Yamuna Bridge and pass through the university campus. During Diwali, families float clay lamps on the Ganges, and fireworks light up the sky after sunset. Book fairs near Civil Lines in November highlight Hindi poetry and regional folklore, with authors giving readings in open tents.
Getting Around and Best Times to Visit
Bamrauli Airport connects Prayagraj to Delhi and Mumbai with daily flights. Trains from Kolkata, Delhi, and Chennai stop at Prayagraj Junction, a 20-minute drive from the Sangam. Auto-rickshaws charge fixed rates for trips between landmarks—agree on the price before getting in. October to March brings cooler weather, though fog sometimes delays morning boat rides. Carry a cloth mask if visiting in winter, when farm fires in nearby states can worsen air quality.
Street Food and Shopping Areas
Near Daraganj Bridge, vendors sell jalebi-rabri, where coiled fried dough is dipped in sweetened milk. Spicy potato chaat topped with yogurt and tamarind sauce is common in Chowk market. For sit-down meals, try thali platters with lentil curry and roti at El Chico Restaurant. Loknath Market specializes in brass statues of Hindu gods, while Katra’s cloth shops sell cotton sarees dyed in seasonal colors like marigold orange and indigo.
Green Spaces Along the Rivers
Chandrashekhar Azad Park has a circular path around a Victorian-era library and rose gardens. The Yamuna Barrage, built to control flooding, has a wide walkway popular in the evenings. At Allahabad Botanical Gardens, 8 km from the city center, signs label plants used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Bring water and hats here, as shade is limited past midday.
Colleges and Government Buildings
Prayagraj’s universities include the Indian Institute of Information Technology, known for robotics labs, and Motilal Nehru Medical College, which trains surgeons. The High Court building, finished in 1916, mixes domes and columns in its design. Researchers can access rare books at the Public Library in Alfred Park by submitting a request a week in advance.
Staying Safe During Large Gatherings
At the Kumbh Mela, use marked entry gates and avoid bathing after 10 AM, when currents strengthen. Women’s bathing zones have separate security checks and female police officers. Official shuttle buses run every 15 minutes from parking lots to the main festival grounds. For smaller events like the Magh Mela, hire boats before noon to avoid afternoon waits. Emergency numbers are printed on wristbands sold at information kiosks near major intersections.
