Things To Do In Allahabad

Allahabad has been a popular place to visit in India, especially for Hindus who come to attend the Kumbh Mela in the month of January and February. Most people who visit, go for a pilgrimage; however, there are several other things to do in Allahabad that will make you love the city for what it is. From going on a boat ride or taking a dip in the Triveni Sangram, exploring the Nehru Planetarium to checking out the vast array of courses at Allahabad University, there are quite a few activities that you can indulge in while on your trip to Allahabad.

Triveni Sangam, meaning the confluence of three rivers; Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati is one of the holiest places in central India. All the three rivers are considered important in Hindu mythology and their confluence is considered to hold a lot of religious significance. It is believed that the one who takes a dip here, is washed off of their sins and is freed from the cycle of life and death. A visit to this place brings a sense of serenity and peacefulness; one can even go on a boat ride to enjoy the picturesque view of the rivers meeting and cool atmosphere

The Kumbh Mela is a Hindu pilgrim fair that is held in four different places in India, with Allahabad being one of them. The fair is held at Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain and Allahabad, at an interval of three years; therefore occurring once every twelve years at each destination. The Kumbh Mela in Allahabad is held at the Triveni Sangram; the confluence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Sraswati. The fair sees the presence of 1.5 million Hindus who come together to take part in the ritual of bathing their sins off at the Triveni Sangram. Seas of people gather every 12 years to take part in the grand celebration. 

If you are looking to relax after indulging in the hustle and bustle of the city, going on a boat ride is one of the best things to do. Go on a silent ride on the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati and enjoy the serene atmosphere the Triveni Sangram has to offer. You can enjoy the beauty of nature as you see a lot of birds flying around, looking for fish in the river. The best time to take a ride is during early morning or early evening when you can see tiny lights at the banks of the river and you can hear sadhus reading their mantras. It is one of the most peaceful things to do in Allahabad.

The Allahabad Public Library is one of the biggest libraries in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The architecture of this library is amazing and is a depiction of Scotish Baronial Architecture. The structure was built in 1864 and was used as a house of legislative assembly in the bygone British era and also goes by the name of Thornhill Mayne Memorial. This is a great place to visit and read up about the vast history of India during the independence struggle; the library houses 125,000 books, thousands of manuscripts dating back to the 18th and 19th century and so much more that will brush up your literature. A must visit for historians, archeologists and students.

If the Kumbh Mela is helf every 12 years in one destination, then the Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every 6 years in Allahabad and Haridwar. The celebration of Ardh Mela marks the half completion of the Purna Kumbh Mela. Even at this time of the year, you will find thousands of Hindus flocking to Allahabad to Triveni Sangram to wash of their sins in the river. In the month of January during the Ardh Kumbh Mela, an annual fair is held in the region known as Magh Mela that sees quite a lot of people from all over the country.

The Nehru Family has had a huge influence on the city of Allahabad. Jawahar Planetarium was built in 1979, right beside the Anand Bhawan, which used to be the Nehru residence. The Planetarium hosts different shows that shed light to the solar system. It is a great place to go to if you are travelling with children as the Planetarium offers a lot of knowledge about the stars and other celestial bodies in the universe. You can stargaze and see the stars with a telescope to understand them and their constellations. On the birth anniversary of the first Prime Minister of India, the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund organizes the famous ‘Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Lecture’ inside the planetarium.

Established in 1887, the Allahabad University is one of the oldest universities in India and is also known as the Oxford of the east. It is a public central university that has several college affiliations that offer a wide range of courses. The architecture style is Indo-sarcenic with a mix of Egyptian and Gothic charm. Earlier it was operated and functioned under the University of Calcutta, but later on the university was established on its own grounds. This is a great place to visit and know more about the fourth oldest universities in India.