Allahabad literally means the abode of God.
Allahabad is one of the important cities of Uttar Pradesh, situated in the fertile Gangetic plains.
It is situated on the confluence of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati.
The Saraswati is still supposed to join the other two rivers at the confluence or ’’sangam’’ from an underground route.
The picture shows the bridge over the river Ganga and the people in the boats on the Sangam.
It is considered a very holy spot.
It is considered by the Hindus that taking a bath at the ’Sangam’ rids them of all their sins.
The significance of the ’’Ardh Kumbh’’ and the ’’Kumbh’’ melas( gatherings during fairs and festivals) at the ’’Sangam’’ in Allahabad, is therefore very great.The Kumbh melas are held once in twelve years( during January or February).
Hence, such a large number of people gather to have a dip in the ’Sangam’ during the Kumbh or the ArdhKumbh ’’melas’’.
It is believed to be the largest gathering of human beings on earth.
As regards Allahabad, it is a good North Indian city situated in Uttar Pradesh( Eastern).
It is famous for the Allahabad University established in the nineteenth century. It has good old British style buildings having some fusion of the Mughal architecture as well.
It was a very good centre of higher learning and produced a large number of intellectuals, scientists, social workers, politicians and IAS and Allied civil service officers. These made their mark in the country and also abroad.
The university has two hostels named after the famous civil servants of India- A.N.Jha and G.N.Jha.
However, politics is the bane of this University too and it has started seeing strikes since the 1970’s and the education has deteriorated.
The students talk of some place called Mirganj.It appears to have some places of interest too.
Allahabad has the Motilal Nehru College of Engineering and a Medical college too.
The guavas( called ’’amrud’’ in Hindi) of Allahabad are huge, round and delicious fruits. Available in winter.
Winters are extremely cold and the summers are extremely hot with hot winds(calle ’’loo’’ in Hindi)blowing.
The High Court of Allahabad has produced several legal luminaries.
It has been the home of the Nehru’s.The Anand Bhavan, house of Late Shri Motilal Nehru and Late Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, first Prime Minister of free India is situated close to the University campus.
Allahabad is associated with some other freedom fighters.
Near the University Jain Hostel, on the road, stands a statue of Chandrashekhar Azad- a freedom fighter. This spot is supposed to be the place where he had an encounter with the British and was gunned down.Just next is the Alfred park( might have been renamed by now).
Allahabad is associated with the Bachchan’s-Harivansh rai Bachchan, father of Amitabh Bachchan.He wrote the famous poem ’’Madhushala’’.
Amitabh Bachchan has been the superstar of Bollywood-Indian Cinema.
Several poets and writers have been the pride of Allahabad.
I remember some e.g. Sumitra Nandan Pant and Firakh Gorakhpuri, whom I met in Allahabad.
Allahabad has good libraries, the Theosophical Society of India, Hindi University, music, literature and culture.
Muslims too have good culture here.
Allahabad had the paper Pioneer started by Jawaharlal Nehru and the Northern India Patrika.
Incidentally Northern India Patrika, Allahabad accepted and published my first letter to the Editor long back.
Near Allahabad is situated a place called Naini-it has the famous Naini Jail, where, during the freedom struggle, many freedom fighters were imprisoned.
There are some historical Forts and sacred temples.
Allahabad has a mix of culture as Bengalis, Kashmiris, Biharis and others have made it their home.
For some it might be a right choice-depends on one’s interests in travel and tourism.