A City of many dimensions is what befits a description of Allahabad. In addition to being a major pilgrimage centre, the city has played an important part in the formation of modern India. Hindu mythology states that Lord Brahma, the creator god, chose a land for 'Prakrishta Yajna'. This land, at the confluence of three holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, blessed by gods, came to be known as Prayag' or 'Allahabad'.

Foreseeing the sancity of the place, Lord Brahma also called it as 'Tirth Raj' or 'King of all pilgrimage centres'. The Scriptures - Vedas and the great epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata, refer to this place as Prayag.

During the time of the Mughals a massive fort was built in 1583, by emperor Akbar.

Centuries followed. Allahabad became the headquarters of North Western Provinces, after being shifted from Agra. Well preserved relics of the British impact includes the Muir College and the All Saints Cathedral.

Many important events in India's struggle for freedom, took place here - the emergence of the first Indian National Congress in 1885, the beginning of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violence movemebt in 1920.

Anand Bhawan, the home of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, is now a shrine to the independence movement. Now maintained as a Museum, allows visitors to peer through glass screens into the interior to see how the first family lived.

This confluence of history, culture and religion makes Allahabad, a unique city.

How to Reach
Allahabad is conveniently connected to the rest of the country by comforable and easy rail and road connections.

By Air
Presently, there is no air link to Allahabad. Nearest Airports are Varanasi, Lucknow and Kanpur.
Babatpur Airport, Varanasi (140 km).
Amausi Airport, Lucknow 2
Chakeri Airport, Kanpur

By Rail
Allahabad has Four Railway Stations - Prayag Station, City Station, Daraganj Station and Allahabad Junction. Major trains of the broad-gauge Delhi - Kanpur - Calcutta Line arrive at Allahabad Junction. Some major trains arriving at Allahabad are Mahanagari Express (Varanasi - Allahabad - Mumbai); Magadh Express (Patna - Allahabad - New Delhi); Saryu Express (Allahabad - Faizabad); Kalka Mail (Howrah - Allahabad - Kalka); Prayag Raj Express (Allahabad - New Delhi); Bramaputra Mail (Guwahati - Allahabad - New Delhi); Bombay Mail (Howrah - Allahabad - Mumbai) ; Rajdhani Express (New Delhi - Allahabad - Howrah); Toofan Express (Ganganagar - Allahabad - Howrah); Ganga Gomti Express (Allahabad - Lucknow); Ganga Kaveri Express (Varanasi - Allahabad - Chennai).

By Road
Allahabad on National Highways 2 & 27, is connected to the rest of the country by good, motorable all weather roads. Some important road distances are Ayodhya - 167 km., Chitrakoot - 137 km., Agra - 443 km., Ahmedabad - 1207 km., Delhi - 643 km., Bhopal - 680 km., Mumbai - 1444 km., Calcutta - 799 km., Hyderabad - 1086 km., Jaipur - 673 km., Jhansi - 375 km., Lucknow - 204 km., Madras - 1790 km., Nagpur - 618 km., Patna - 368 km., Thiruvanathapuram - 2413 km., Udaipur - 956 km., Varanasi - 125 km., Khajuraho - 294 km., Lambini (Nepal) - 406 km.

Allahabad also has three bus stands catering to different routes. The buses from westersn destinations like Delhi, Agra, Lucknow and Kanpur halt at Leader Road Bus Stand (Enquiry Ph. No. 602114). The Zero Road Bus Stand (Enquiry Ph. No. 400192) serves the buses going on the southern route i.e. Mahoba and Satna. Buses from Varanasi and other eastern towns arrive at M. G. Road Bus Stand.

Local Transport
Tourist Taxis, Auto-Rickshaws and tempos are available for local transport, the rates are usually negotiable. City Bus, Service connects various parts of the city.

Museums
Allahabad Museum, Near Chandra Shekhar Azad Park.
Open : 10.15 a.m. - 4.30 pm.
Closed on Monday, Second Saturday of every month and other Government Holidays.

University Archaeological Museum, University Campus.
Open : 11.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Closed on Sundays and University Holidays.