India is blessed with some of the most sacred places in the world. These places let you immerse yourself in the divine faith and rich heritage of the country through various events and festivities. If you are looking forward to exploring a place deeply rooted in mythology, then Prayagraj is the place for you. As one of the best places to visit in Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj is an international tourist destination. The city hosts various cultural and sporting events, including the most famous Kumbh Mela and Indira Marathon. The places to visit in Prayagraj are a mix of sacred river confluence, museums, temples and historic sites.
Prayagraj in Sanskrit means “the king among the five prayagas (the five sacred confluences in India). The city lies close to Triveni Sangam, the “three-river confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and invisible Sarasvati river. The city holds great significance in Hindu scriptures and people all over the world visit the city. People visit the city especially to take holy dips at the Triveni Sangam during various occasions. Some of the main occasions are the Kumbh Mela, Magh Mela and Vasant Panchami.
Let’s explore more about the sacred city and learn about the places to visit in Prayagraj.
Best Time to Visit
Prayagraj, located in Uttar Pradesh, experiences a sub-tropical climate with mainly three seasons, namely summer, monsoon and winter. The summer season (April-June) is extremely hot and humid. You can explore the places to visit in Prayagraj during early mornings and late evenings. The monsoon season (July-September) brings moderate to heavy rainfall, adding a fresh touch to the cityscape. But during the season, the ghats can become slippery, so you need to be extra careful while visiting them. The winter season (October-March) is considered the best time to visit Prayagraj. The weather is pleasant with chilly mornings and nights, perfect for exploring places to visit in Prayagraj. Additionally, this is the time of festivities and the city hosts various events during the festival season.
However, if you are planning to visit the city on a festive occasion, it is recommended to book your stay at hotels in Prayagraj in advance. As a large number of people visit the city during special occasions. It may become inconvenient to find accommodation at the last minute.
How to Reach Prayagraj
Prajaygraj, being an important pilgrimage destination and one of the fastest developing cities in the country, has excellent connectivity with the rest of the country through road, rail and air.
To help you choose the best mode of transportation based on your starting point and budget, here is a complete detail on how to reach Prayagraj via road, rail and air.
By Road
If you are travelling from cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi and Ayodhya, reaching Prayagraj by road is a convenient option. The city is well-connected through a network of national highways and expressways. You can either drive, take a taxi or board a bus to Prayagraj.
By Rail
Taking a train is another convenient option as the city has four major railway stations, including Prayagraj Junction, Prayag Station, Daraganj Station and City Station at Rambagh. These railway stations are connected to major cities like Agra, Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, Hyderabad and Pune. From the railway station, you can book a cab or take a bus to explore the famous places to visit in Prayagraj. However, for your convenience, you can also look for hotels in Prayagraj offering private cab facilities.
By Air
Bamrauli Airport, located around 13 kms from Prayagraj city, is the nearest airport that connects the city to major cities of the country, including Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and Varanasi. For international travellers, the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi, around 132 kms from Prayagraj, is the closest to the city. You can take a a halt for a day in Varanasi and explore the famous sites like Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Dashashwamedh Ghat & Assi Ghat etc.
Major Festivals Celebrated in Prayagraj
Prayagraj not just attracts travellers to its tourist attractions but also for its festivities. Taking a holy bath during auspicious events at Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj, is considered sacred and therefore, a large number of people visit the city for occasions like Makar Sankranti, Kumbh Mela, Vijaya Ekadashi, Chhath Puja, Magha Purnima, Maha Shivratri, Mauni Amavas and more. Out of these festivals, Kumbh Mela and Magh Purnima receive the highest number of visitors.
Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is the largest peaceful gathering of people in the world. Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik and Ujjain are the four sites of Kumbh Mela. Gathering at Prayagraj Kumbh Mela is considered the largest as people from all over the world visit here to take a holy dip at Triveni Sangam.
Additionally, you can also attend various educational and religious events organised at the Kumbh Mela site.
Magh Mela
Magh Mela is held from Paush Purnima (the first full moon of the New Year, mid-January) to Magh Purnima (the last full moon of Magha month, early March). The occasion, known as the bathing festival, is considered to have an impact on human emotions and overall well-being.
Performing Homa at Prayagraj, taking a dip in the holy Ganga River and donating a cow are considered acts of charity that cleanse sins and bring prosperity.
Places to visit in Prayagraj
Triveni Sangam
Located about 7 kms from the Civil Lines in Prayagraj, it is considered one of the holiest places in Central India. The sangam is the meeting point of the three rivers, namely, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati (the mythical river, which is believed to have dried up more than 4,000 years ago. It is one of the significant sites of Kumbh Mela and taking a bath at Triveni Sangam is considered highly auspicious. Taking a holy dip here is believed to cleanse sins and offer freedom from the cycle of rebirth.
Apart from the spiritual significance, it is also known for its breathtaking beauty, especially during the sunrise and sunset, making it one of the best places to visit in Prayagraj. While taking a boat ride to the Sangam, you can see the difference between the colours of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers, the former being brownish and the latter being greenish.
Anand Bhawan
For history enthusiasts, there are various places to visit in Prayagraj that offer a great insight into the rich heritage of the country. One such place is the former residence of the Nehru family turned museum, Anand Bhawan. The double-storey mentioned was personally designed by Motilal Nehru and is known for its unique and beautiful architecture.
Anand Bhawan was donated to the Indian Government by Indira Gandhi in 1970 to convert it into a museum, to preserve their family legacy. It houses various artefacts and articles from the period of the Independence movement in India.
Allahabad Museum
Another place offering an insight into the history, culture and independence movement of India is the Akkahabad Museum. The museum is one of the national-level museums of India, situated in the famous Chandrashekhar Azad Park. Here, you can witness some of the amusing artefacts related to the art, history, archaeology, architecture, environment and literature.
Among which the key highlights are the rock sculptures, the miniature paintings from Rajasthan, terracotta from Kaushambi, literary and artwork from the Bengal School of Art. You can also find some of the artifacts from the historic era of the Harrapan civilization, the medieval period, the Gupta and the Khajuraho to the Indian struggle for independence struggle of India against the British, making it one of the best places to visit in Prayagraj.
Allahabad Fort
Built in 1583, the Allahabad Fort is one of the largest forts ever built by Akbar, the Mughal Emperor, making it one of the best places to visit in Prayagraj. Known for its architectural grandeur, the fort is located on the banks of the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.
The fort only opens for tourists during the Kumbh Mela, which is held once every 12 years and remains closed for the rest of the time.
The fort houses the Akshayavat tree (Banyan Tree), which, according to the legend, was used by the locals to commit suicide to attain salvation. Another significant site in the fort is the Patalpuri Temple, known as the home of all the gates of hell. The best way to explore the fort from outside is by taking a boat ride during sunrise or sunset to take in its magnificent view.
Hanuman Mandir
Popularly known as Bade Hanuman Mandir, the Hanuman Temple located at the Sangam area is one of the famous pilgrimage places to visit in Prayagraj. The 2–feet–long and 8-feet-wide deity of Hanuman with a leaning posture is constructed underground, making it one of its kind of temples.
A part of this holy site always remains submerged and when the water levels rise, it reaches up to Hanuman’s feet. It is one of the busiest places to visit in Prayagraj, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Company Garden
Chandrashekhar Azad Park, popularly known as the Company Garden, is located in George Town of Prayagraj. This 133-acre park was established in 1870 to welcome Prince Alfred to the city and was known as Alfred Park during the British colonial period. The park was renamed as the Chandrashekar Azad Park in 1931 after the latter died as a martyr on this site.
The park also has a magnificent statue of George V and Victoria in the centre of the garden. A perfect place for leisure walks, jogs and picnics, it is one of the famous places to visit in Prayagraj.
Thus, Prayagraj is a perfect destination for travellers looking for a spiritual or leisure getaway. The places to visit in Prayagraj offer solitude, peace and insight into the history and culture of the country. While planning a visit to the city, make sure to look out for affordable and comfortable hotels in Prayagraj at Treebo Club’s website or app.
You can also plan a day visit to Ram Janmabhoomi Temple Ayodhya which is around 164kms by road from Prayagraj & there are plenty of trains also available on this route.
