Place of God - Allahabad

Allahabad - Most sacred place for Hindus and Muslims:

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At a glance

Geographical Area	5482 Sq. Km.
Population	4936000
Literacy	62.89
Tehsils	8
Development Blocks	20
Nyay Panchayat	218
Gram Sabha	1425
Populated Villages	2802
Non-Populated Villages	1262
Towns	13
Bus Station / Bus Stop	241
Railway Station	35
Rural Post Office	75
Urban Post Office	334
Telegraph Office	5
Branches of Nationalised Banks	195
Branch of Rural Banks	73
Branch of Cooperative Banks	34
Temperature (Maxi)	45.5
Temperature (Mini)	03.5
Primary School	3228
Junior High School	1854
Higher Secondary School	767
Degree College	84
Industrial Training Institute (I.T.I)	3
Allopathic Hospital & Dispensary	69
Ayurvedic Hospital & Dispensary	34
Homeopathic Hospital & Dispensary	34
Egyptian	4

History

The city of Allahabad is among the largest cities of Uttar Pradesh and situated at the confluence of three rivers- Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati. The meeting point is known as Triveni and is especially sacred to Hindus. The earlier settlements of the Aryans were established in this city, then known as Prayag” Prayagasya Praveshshu Papam Nashwati Tatkshanam. All sins are cleaned with entry in Prayag ( the ancient name of modern time Allahabad) PRAYAG is one of the historic and mythological cities of India with glorious past and present. It continues to enjoy the distinction of being a place of haunting and lasting memories. It is a city of mixed culture of Hindu, Muslims, Jains and Christians.

Its sanctity is manifest by references to it in Purans, the Ramayan and the Mahabharata. According to Hindu Mythology, Lord Brahma, the creator God of the Trinity, chose a land on earth(ie Prayag) to perform ‘Prakrista Yag’, at the beginning of the creation and he also refereed to it as Tirth raj or the King of all pilgrimage centres’ As per writing of ‘Padam Puran’ – “As the sun is amongst the moon and the moon amongst the stars, likewise ‘Prayag is best amongst all places of pilgrimage” The bathing at Prayag is mentioned in Brahma Puran s “ in the month of Magha at the bank of Ganga Yamuna in Prayag bestows results of millions and millions of Ashvmedha Yajna

Prayag is birth place of Som, Varuna and Prjapati. Prayag has been associated with mythological personalities in Brahmanical(Vedic) and Buddhist Literatures. It was the seat of the great sage Bhardwaj, sage Durvasa and Sage Pannas sage Bhardwaj lived here circa 5000BC and taught more than 10000 disciples. He was the greatest philosopher of ancient world.

The Present Jhunsi area very close to sangam was the kingdom of Chandrabanshiya ( lunar clan ) king Pururava. Nearby Kaushambi bloomed to prosperity during Vatsa and Maurya Rule. The earliest monument of antiques Ashok Pillar with inscriptions of third century B.C. clears the inscriptions of his directions to his fellow Rajas and praise of King Samudragupta. The Chinese traveler Huan Tsang in 643 BC found Prayag inhabited by many Hindus who regarded the place very Holy.

1575 AD Emperor Akbar founded the city in by the name of “ ILLAHABAS” which has now become ALLAHABAD meant “ The City of Allaha” impressed with the strategic importance of the SANGAM. In medieval India the city enjoyed the honour of being the religio-cultural center of India. For a long time it was Provincial capital of the Mughals. Later it was captured by Marathas

1801 AD British History of the city begun in this year when the Nawab of Oudh ceded it to the British Throne. British army used the fort for their military purposes.

1857 AD The town was the centre of war of Independence and later became the crucible of Indian Freedom Movement against British.

1858 AD The East India Company officially handed over India to British Government here at Minto Park After the first war of independence the town was named “ALLAHABAD” and was made the capital of United Province of Agra and Oudh.

1868 AD it become a seat of Justice wjen Allah bad High Court was established .

1871 AD British architect Sir William Emerson erected a majestic monument All Saint Cathedral thirty years before he designed the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata .

1887 AD Allahabad become the fourth oldest University. Allahabad has been rich in numerous Victorian and Georgian buildings made in synthesis with Indian architectural traditions.

This city was the heart of the Indian Freedom Movement against the British rule with Anand Bhawan being the epicentre, It was in Allahabad the Mahatama Gandhi proposed his program of non-violent resistance to liberate India. Allahabad has provided the largest number of prime ministers of Post independence India Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, V.P.Singh. Former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar was student of Allahabad university.

Allahabad is basically an Administrative and Educational city. High Court of Uttar Pradesh, Auditor General of Uttar Pradesh, Principal Controller of Defence Accounts ( Pension ) PCDA, Uttar Pradesh Madhymik Shiksha Prishad ( UP BOARD ) office, Police HeadQtrs and in education Moti Lal Nehru Regional Engg. College MNREC, Medical and Agriculture College , Indian Institute of Information Technology ( IIIT ) ITI Naini and IIFCO Phulpur , Triveni Glass are some of major industries here.

From the days of civilization Allahabad has been seat of learning, wisdom and writing. It is the most vibrant politically spiritually conscious and spiritually awakened city of India.

Geography

Allahabad is located at 25.45°N 81.84°E in the southern part of the Uttar Pradesh at an elevation of 98 meters (322 ft) and stands at the confluence of two, the Ganges and Yamuna. The region was known in antiquity as the Vats country. To its south and southeast is the Bagelkhand region,To its east is middle Ganges valley of North India, or Purvanchal,To its southwest is the Bundelkhand region, to its north and northeast is the Awadh region and to its west along with Kaushambi it forms the part of Doab i.e the Lower Doab region.

In the North district Pratapgarh, in the south Rewa(M.P.), in the east Sant Ravi Das Nagar and in the west kaushambhi districts are located.

Administrative Divisions

The district is divided into eight TEHSILS named as Sadar, Karchhana, Phulpur, Bara, Koraon, Meja, Soraon and Handia. Tehsils are divided into Development Blocks.There are twenty development blocks. Kaudihaar, Holagarh, Mauaima, Soraon are the development blocks in the Soraon tehsil, Bahria, Phulpur, Bahadurpur are the development blocks in the Phulpur Tehsil, Pratappur, Saidabad, Dhanupur, Handia are the development blocks in the Handia tehsil, Jasra, Shankargarh are the development block of Bara tehsil, Chaka, Karchhana, kaundhiyara are the development block in the Karchhana Tehsil, Uruwa, Meja, Manda are the development block in the Meja tehsil and Koraon is the development block in the Koraon tehsil.

Climate

Allahabad features the typical version of a humid subtropical climate that is common to cities in north-central India. Allahabad experiences three seasons:HOT dry summer, cool dry winter and warm humid monsoon. The summer season lasts from April to June with the maximum temperatures ranging from 40 °C (104 °F) to 45 °C (113 °F). Monsoon begins in early July and lasts till September. The winter season lasts from December to February.

Rivers

The Ganga and The Yamuna are the main rivers of the district.The plain area of the district is situated in between Ganga and Yamuna so these rivers plays a very pivotal role in the agriculture of the district.

Crops

The District Allahabad is mainly a agricultural district in which the main crops are wheat and rice Some area is cultivated under pulses also like Arhar, Urad and Chana. he principal sources of irrigation are canals and tubewells.

Tourist Places

Sangam

Located approximately 7 km from Civil Lines, it is actually the confluence of three holy rivers-Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It becomes a center of attraction for hundreds and thousands of religious travelers after every twelve years when it hosts the famous Kumbh Mela. It stands as one of the greatest tourist attractions on your tour to India.

Allahabad Fort

Built by Akbar in AD 1583, the Allahabad Fort exhibits fine depictions of art, design, architecture, and craftsmanship of the fort. Visitors are allowed to view the Ashoka Pillar, Saraswati Kup and Jodhabai Palace.

Patalpuri Temple and Akshaya Vat

Located inside the Allahabad Fort, this is actually an underground temple, alluding to associations with Lord Rama. The famous Akshaya Vat one of the most revered trees of the Hindus is also sited within the temple.

Anand Bhawan

The ancestral home of the Nehrus, the Anand Bhawan now houses a memorabilia of the Nehru-Gandhi family and one of the excellent museums of India.

Swaraj Bhawan

Located next to the Anand Bhawan, and built by Pt. Moti Lal Nehru, it is the house where the former Prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born.

Khusrau Bagh

This huge garden houses the mausoleums of Khusrau, his sister, and his Rajput mother.

Hanuman Mandir

Located near the Allahabad Fort, it is famous for the image of the reclined position monkey-god Hanuman.

Allahabad Museum

Situated near Chandra Shekhar Azad Park, the Allahabad Museum preserves the paintings of Nicholas Roerich, terracotta figurines, Rajasthani miniatures, coins and stone sculptures from the 2nd century BC till date.

How to Reach Allahabad

Allahabad is an important pilgrimage destination in the Ganges plain and that is why it is well connected to all the major cities in Uttar Pradesh and India. The Kumbh Mela that takes place on its confluence is attended by millions of Hindus round the globe.

By Air

There is an Airport at Bamrauli which is near about 10 Kilometers away from Allahabad. Presently limited flights are available here. The second nearest Airport is at Varanasi that is 150 kilometers from Allahabad. Varanasi being another important pilgrimage is well connected to the rest of India by daily flights. Both private as well as public carriers operate these flights.

By Rail

Allahabad is well connected by trains with all major cities, viz. Calcutta, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow and Mumbai. The main station in Allahabad is Allahabad Junction. Several expresses as well as super fast trains ply to and from Allahabad.

By Road

Allahabad, on National Highways 2 and 27, is connected to all parts of the country by good roads. Buses ply to all the neighboring as well as far-flung places such as Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Patna, Jhansi and Gorakhpur among others. Both Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation as well as Private players operates these buses.