In 1575 AD, Emperor Akbar christened the city of Allahabad, which we now know as Prayagraj, with the name &ldquoIllahabas&rdquo which later became Allahabad, meaning &ldquoThe City of Allaha&rdquo. Four hundred forty-seven years later, the town of Allahabad, god&rsquos own city as the moniker goes, continues to offer enough to attract new visitors, just as it had once interested Akbar. Here&rsquos a list of things you should do if an afternoon is all you have to spare.
Take a dip at Triveni Sangam
Allahabad is among the largest cities in Uttar Pradesh and finds itself at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. This meeting point is Triveni Sangam and has held immense historical significance in the state. It is said that the waters of Triveni Sangam wash away all sins if you take a dip. The bathing rituals here are even mentioned in Brahma Puran. Starting off your day with a cleansing of mind and body here in Triveni Sangam is a great way to start off your Allahabad trip.
Visit Anand Bhawan
The best things about Allahbad are rooted in bygone times. Bought by Motilal Nehru in the 1930s to function as the Nehru family&rsquos residence, Anand Bhavan also houses the Jawahar Planetarium. Visiting the ancestral home of the Nehru-Gandhi family should be a priority when you&rsquore here.It served as a central hub for India's freedom struggle and was the residence of prominent leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi. The museum inside provides insights into the lives of these iconic figures and their contributions to India's independence movement.
Seek solace at St. Joseph&rsquos Cathedral
After a tiring day travelling throughout the town, visiting St. Joseph&rsquos Cathedral will help you connect with yourself. On February 11th, 1879, Dr Tosi ceremonially blessed and consecrated the majestic Cathedral to St. Joseph, Spouse of Our Lady. The cathedral includes three naves, a tower that is 120 feet tall, and four exquisite bells transported from Rome. Like many other churches constructed during the period in Northern India, the Cathedral was not constructed in any conventional style. The Cathedral of Allahabad is a prime example of the eclectic design trend prevalent in the 19th century. The cathedral is open daily, from 6 am to 7 pm in the Summer and 630 am to 630 pm in the Winter.
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