Allahabad is among the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh. Hindu mythology has it that for the Prakrishta Yaina, Lord Brahma, the creator God of the Trinity, chose a land on earth, on which the three rivers would flow in to a quiet confluence. Brahma also referred to it as Tirth Raj or the King of all pilgrimage centres. Recorded evidence also exists in the revered scriptures (the Vedas and the grand epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as also in the Puranas) of this holy place formerly called Prayag. Allahabad stands at the confluence of two of India's holiest rivers, the Ganga and the Yamuna. Sangam, as the confluence is called, is the venue of many sacred fairs and rituals, and attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout the year. This number swells to millions during the world-famous Kumbh Mela. An annual Magh Mela is also held in Allahabad around the Sangam areas in the month of January (Magh is the name of month in Hindu calendar). A third mythical Saraswati river, believed to flow underground towards the Sangam, gives the confluence its other name, Triveni.

Emperor Akbar founded this city in 1575 and called it by name of Illahabas, which has now become modern Allahabad. The monarch realized its strategic importance as a waterway landmark in North India and also built a magnificent fort on the banks of the holy Sangam.

Over the centuries that followed, Allahabad remained on the forefront of national importance, more so during the days of the Indian independence struggle. The chequered history of Allahabad with its religious, cultural and historical ethos also gave rise to several renowned scholars (M. N. Saha, Harishchandra, Ravindra Khattree, Amar Nath Jha), poets (Suryakant Tripathi Nirala, Mahadevi Verma, Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Sumitra Nandan Panth), writers (Mahadevi Verma, Ramkumar Verma, Jagdish Gupta), thinkers (Purusottam Das Tandon), statesmen and leaders (Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlala Nehru, Murli Manohar Joshi, Amitabh Bachchan).

The city being an important cantonment during the British Raj has some beautiful remnants of colonial architecture. In the early 20th century, Allahabad University was the foremost center of learning in the country. Allahabad, today is an important city where history, culture and religion create a confluence, much like the sacred rivers that caress this God-graced land.

Allahabad used to have a thriving industrial suburb (Naini) till the 1980s, but then those public sector units started closing down one by one, forcing entire generations of young educated Allahabadis to migrate out of the city in search of work. Today, Allahabad is slowly inching along in its dream to be an IT hub. And the government adminsitrative offices remain alive and kicking.

See

Sangam: A dip in the holy Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati is a must for the spiritually inclined. Sangam is a Sanskrit word for confluence. It is a sacred holy site for Hindus. According to Vedic literature and myths it is called Triveni Sangam because three rivers meet up here namely the holy Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati which is believed to be flowing beneath the surface. At the time of churning of sea (Samudra Manthan) by Gods (Suras) and the Demons (Asuras) few drops of amrita (holy nectar that makes a mortal immortal) fell at four different parts of the subcontinent during a fight between Gods and Demons over it. That places are Hardwar, Nasik, Prayag and Ujjain and are considered holy and MahaKumbha Mela is organised once in 12 years. Billions of pilgrims, tourists, ascetics, sadhu/sant (holy men) visit Prayag at the time of month long Kumbha for taking holy dip at sangam and perform religious rituals and ceremonies. Also Magh Mela is organised annually on January-February(Magh month of Hindu Calendar) and millions visit to take holy dip at Sangam.

Temples

Shivkoti Mahadev Temple.

Someshwar Mahadev Temple.

Patalpuri Temple.

Dashaswamedh Temple, (On the bank of Ganges in Daraganj).

Shakshi Ganesh Temple, (On the bank of Ganges in Daraganj).

Bare Hanumanji Temple, (Near the Sangam). They serve Besan Laddoo's which are very delicious.

Jhusi-Tallest Hanuman Mandir: The temple is an unsually tall hanuman diety along with 108 Shivalingas.

Mankameshwar Mandir: The temple is at the bank of Yamuna river near Triveni Sangam.

Lalita Devi Mandir: The temple is situated at the bank of Yamuna River(Near Meerapur).Its existence has also elaborated in Ved Puran.

Other attractions

Allahabad Fort.

Anand Bhavan: Learn about the intricacies of Indian struggle for freedom during early 20th century. Among many things, you will find the personal correspondence and family photographs of the Nehrus.

Allahabad Planetarium.

Allahabad Museum.

Pratisthan Pur, (Jhusi).

Patthar Girja.

Company Bagh (Alfred Park or Chandrashekhar Azad Park).

Minto Park.

Khusro bagh.

Benimadhav Temple, (In Daragang).

Bharadwaj Ashram.

Nag Vasuki Mandir, (In Baksi at the very end of the city near Daraganj).

Yamuna bridge.

Allahabad University Campus: ( Science Faculty with Glorious, delightful Department of Electronics & Telicommunication of University of Allahabad popularly known as J.K.Institute of Applied Physics & Technology ).