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Maha Kumbh Mela Allahabad, Prayag Festival 2013

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Kumbh - Prayag - Introduction

 

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
 
The biggest Kumbh festival is held at Prayag. Situated at the confluence of the Ganga and the Yamuna, it is one of the main cities of Uttar Pradesh.
    
The Mahakumbh held here is credited as the largest fair in the world.
    
Six prime ministers and 2 renowned writers have been associated with this city.
    
It is also the birth place of India’s superstar of the millennium, Amitabh Bachchan.
    
The High Court of Uttar Pradesh and the Office of the Public Service Commission is also located in Prayag (Allahabad).
 

 

 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
The credit for the appearance of Prayag goes to Lord Brahma who, it is believed,performed the Prakritasth yagna for the creation of the world. This is why the place is known as Prayag.
    
  Padma Puran refers to it as the best among pilgrimages and also the king of
pilgrimages (Teerthraj).
    
The entire Prayag area is believed to be protected by the Gods. According to the Matsya Puran, Shri Hari (Vishnu) himself guarded the area with the help of the other Gods.
   
The point where the white waters of the Ganga and the dark waters of the Yamuna meet is called Veni, and the Puranas refer to it as the gateway to the Brahmalok.
    
The streams of the Ganga and the Yamuna divide the Prayag area into 3 parts, which are called the 3 Yagnavedis.
 
-
The central part of Ganga-Yamuna: Garhpatyagni
-
The northern part of the Ganga: Aahvaniyagni
-
The northern part of the Yamuna: Dakshinagni
   
According to the Vishnu Puran, a holy dip in the Prayag Kumbh gives the same benefit as that from 1000 Ashwamedh Yagnas, 100 Vajpeya Yagnas, and 1 lakh Parikramas of the earth.
   
According to the Padma Puran, worshipping the Akshayvat tree in Prayagfrees a person from the sin of killing a Brahmin.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
From the archaeological point of view, there is evidence of Northern Black Polished Ware (NBPW) culture from this area.
   
In 6th century B.C., Prayag was under the Vatsa kingdom when Udayan, a contemporary of Buddha, was the king.
   
This area prospered under the Mauryas. An Ashok pillar has also been found here, which discusses his views on religion.
   
Prayag was important even in the Gupta period. The renowned citations (Prayag Prashasti) of Samudragupta talk about the victories of the Guptas. This citation was created by his minister Harisen.
   
Kalidas has given a beautiful description of Prayag in his poetry, Raghuvansham.
   
In 643 A.D., Harshwardhan organised the 6th Mahamoksh Parishad of his life in Prayag, which has been documented by Huan Tsang.
   
In 1583 A.D., Mughal emperor Akbar built a huge fort in the Baij style and renamed the city as Allahabad (Home of the Lord).
   
In 1765 A.D., Robert Clive signed 2 separate treaties with Mughal emperor Shah Alam II and Nawab Shujauddaula of Awadh, which resulted in the British emerging as the new power-centre in India.
   
The revolt of 1857 A.D. was led by the local leader Liyaqat Ali.
   
In 1858, the Queen’s declaration was read by Lord Canning in Allahabad, which resulted in the shift of the governance from East India Company to the British Crown.
   
During the freedom struggle, Motilal Nehru’s Anand Bhavan and Swaraj Bhavan were the key centres of Congress activities.
   
In 1931 A.D., the famous revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad attained martyrdom in Alfred Park. This park is now known as Chandrashekhar Azad Park.
   
Six prime ministers of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, Lalbahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, V P Singh, and Chandrashekhar have been associated with the city.
   
A number of writers have been born in Prayag, including Mahadevi Verma, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Nirala, Pant, and Harivanshrai Bachchan. These writers have provided a new dimension to India literature.
 

 

 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Allahabad Fort:
 
This Baij shaped fort was built by Akbar. A major part of the fort is currently under the control of the Indian army.
    
Patal Puri Temple:
 
The temple is within the fort premised and can be reached by boat. The Akshayvat tree can also be seen here.
    
Ashok Pillar:
 
Situated within the fort, it has inscriptions about Ashok's views and ideologies on religion.
    
Hanuman Temple:
 
It is situated in the north-east corner of the fort and has an idol of Hanuman in a lying posture.
    
Aadishankar Temple:
 
Situated near the Hanuman Temple, this temple has an idol of Tirupati Balaji.
   
Nag Vasuki:
 
Bakshi Mohalla houses the idol of Vasuki Nag who is believed to have been used as a rope during the churning of the ocean. A huge fair is held here on Nag Panchmi.
   
Bhardwaj Ashram:
 
Currently located in the Allahabad University premises, it has the Bhardwajeshwar Mahadev temple.
   
Allahabad Museum:
 
Situated on Kamla Nehru Marg, it displays a number of items of archaeological, historical and cultural importance.
   
Anand Bhavan:
 
Once the residence of the Nehru family, it is now dedicated to the nation. It houses a number of items associated with the freedom struggle.
 
Other Places
   
Important pilgrimages:
 
Prayag has a number of holy bathing centres (teerths), which have their own spiritual significance.
    
Pratishthan Puri (Jhusi):
 
A restrained and abstinent stay, and a bath in this place located to the east of the Ganga is said to offer the same blessings as that from an Ashwamedh Yagna.
    
Hans Prapatan:
 
It is located in the middle of Jhusi and the Ganga, and bathing here is said to open the gates of heaven for the one who bathes.
    
Dashashwamedh Teerth:
 
A bath in this teerth situated near the Roop Goswami temple is said to give the 4 virtues of religion, money, skill, and beauty.
    
Rin-mochan:
 
A bath in this teerth to the south of Prayag relieves an individual of 1 of the 3 debts.
    
Prajapati Kshetra:
 
This is the part in the middle of the Ganga and the Yamuna and is considered as the most sacred place.
 
Important pilgrimages
   
Naini:
 
This is believed to be the place of Gada Madhav. Nehru was imprisoned here during the freedom struggle.
    
Durvasa Ashram:
 
It is located on the Banaras rail route near Ramnathpur station in Kakragram.
    
Ramchaura:
 
4 km from Allahabad, on the banks of the Ganga, is a huge platform. Belief is that Lord Ram crossed the Ganga from here. There is also a Panchmukhi Hanuman temple here.
    
Lakshagriha:
 
45 km from Allahabad is a hill associated with the Mahabharat days. Belief is that it was here that the Kauravas tried to set ablaze the Pandavas alive in an inflammable house.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
During pilgrimage to Prayag, 2 main rituals are performed:
 
-
Mundan Sanskar: Male pilgrims perform before the bath
-
Veni Daan: Females ritualistically immerse into the sangam a few strands from the loose end of their hair.
   
  There are 3 main occasions of bathing in Prayag which are as follows:
Annual bath:
 
During the Magh month, pilgrims from all over the country visit for a bath.
    
Ardhkumbh:
 
This is held 6 years after the Kumbh festival. The last one was in January/February 2007 and the next one will be in 2019.
    
Mahakumbh:
 
Held after every 12 years, it is the biggest festival. The last Mahakumbh was held in 2001, and the next one will be in 2013.
    
The main days for bathing during the festival are Paush Poornima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Vasant Panchmi, Shukla Saptami, and Magh Poornima.
    
Dashera is also celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm which include a number of processions.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas:
 
 Singhania Dharmshala  Allahabad Junction
 Tejpal Gokuldas Dharmshala  Near Yamuna bridge
 Rastogi Dharmshala  Daraganj
 Chamelidevi Dharmshala  Daraganj
 Dularidevi Dharmshala  Ghanta ghar
   
Hotels:
 
 Category  General
 Name  New Sangam Hotel
 Address  60, Shahganj, Allahabad (UP) - 211 003
 Telephone  +91 - 532 - 2400635
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Hotel Prayag
 Address  73, Nerullah Road, Allahabad (UP) - 211 003
 Telephone  +91 - 532 - 2656416
 Fax  +91 - 253 - 2551808
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Hotel Tepso
 Address  123/27-A, M.G.  Marg, Civil Lines, Allahabad (UP) - 211 001
 Telephone  +91 - 532 - 2561408 / 2561409, 09415216572
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Prayag Residency
 Address  19 D, Sarojini Naidu Marg, Allahabad (UP) - 211 001
 Telephone  +91 - 532 - 3292400
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Hotel Yatrik
 Address  33, Sardar Patel Marg, Civil
 Telephone  +91 - 532 - 2260921 / 22, 23, 24
 Fax  +91 - 532 - 2260930
 E-mail  info@hotelyatrik.com
 Web Site  www.hotelyatrik.com
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  98  metres  103 cm
 25.5˚ N  81.5˚ E
   
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum   21  24  31  37  39  37  32  31  31  31  27  22
 Minimum  11  13  18  25  28  29  27  27  26  22  16  12
   
Important Informations
82.5˚ E latitude which determines the Indian Standard Time passes through close to Allahabad. Tourists should bear in mind that on one hand this place faces extreme heat in May-June and on the other hand January witnesses heavy fog.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 0532
 Police Assistance
  Civil Lines, Allahabad - 211 001
 Tel: +91 - 532 - 2560904
 Hospital & Ambulance
  M Bhola Hospital, Lowther Road, George City,
 Allahabad - 211 002, Tel: +91 - 532 - 2460048
 Currency  Exchange
  Bank of Baroda, Ilahipur, Allahabad (UP) - 211 002
 Tel:  +91 - 532 - 2500344
 ATM Centre  Bank of Baroda
 Guru Tegbahadur Nagar, Kareli Scheme, Allahabad
 Tel:  +91 - 532 - 2551702
 HDFC Bank
 Plot No .54/01, Sardar Patel Marg, Civil Lines,
 Allahabad - 211 003
 Post Office
 Allahabad New Cant, Allahabad Taluka,
  Dist  Allahabad
 Tourist Office
  Regional Tourist Office, Tourist Bungalow, 35,
 M G  Marg, Civil Lines, Allahabad
 Tel: +91 - 532 - 2601873
 Restaurants
 Kamdhenu (M. G. Marg), Jade Garden (Civil Lines,   Tepso   Hotel), El Chico (Civil Lines), Tandoor (Civil    Lines), The   Bhoj   (Sardar Patel Marg, Yatrik).
   
Food
The Allahabadi guava at Khusro baug is a must-eat. A number of milk products are available at Civil Lines.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconprayag.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
- Lucknow
- Kanpur
- Allahabad
- Varanasi
- Satna
- Patna
- Gaya
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Lucknow  LJN
 Faizabad  FD
 Ayodhya  AY
 Allahabad  ALD
 Varanasi  BSB
 Mirzapur  MZP
 Chitrakootdham  CKTD
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Allahabad  Lucknow  216 km
 Kanpur  202 km
 Varanasi  147 km
 Mirzapur  112 km
 Faizabad  170 km
 Varanasi

 

  Lucknow  309 km
 Allahabad  147 km
 Mirzapur  34 km
 Patna  235 km
 Faizabad  204 km
 Ayodhya  Lucknow  152 km
 Allahabad  176 km
 Faizabad  8 km
 Gorakhpur  135 km
 Mirzapur  216 km
 Chitrakoot  Allahabad  98 km
 Mirzapur  205 km
 Kanpur  190 km
 Satna  80 km
 Vindhyachal  Varanasi  59 km
 Satna  65 km
 Allahabad  90 km
 Mirzapur  9 km

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