Maha Kumbh Mela 2013

Allahabad is located at 25°27'N 81°50'E25.45°N 81.84°E in the southern part of the Uttar Pradesh at an elevation of 98 meters (322 ft) and stands at the confluence of two, the Ganges and Yamuna. Allahabad or City of God in Persian, also known as Prayag is a city in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Allahabad is one of the fastest growing cities in India at present. It is located 238 kilometers south of state capital Lucknow. The ancient name of the city is Prayag and is believed to be the spot where Brahma offered his first sacrifice after creating the world. It is one of four sites of the mass Hindu pilgrimage Kumbh Mela. It has a position of importance in Hindu scriptures for it is situated at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna, and the ancient Saraswati River. In 2013 from 27th January to 25th February the Purna Kumbh Mela will be going held in Allahabad which occurs after every 12th years. Allahabad Kumbhmela, 2007

The Spectacle The Prayag (Allahabad) Kumbh Mela is the largest and holiest of all melas and is believed to be the most auspicious. On important bathing dates, lakhs of pilgrims take bath on the banks of the holy Sangam. The Purna (complete) Kumbh or Maha Kumbh, the biggest and the most auspicious fair, which falls once every 12 years, is always held in Allahabad. Ardha Kumbh Mela is held every 6th year and the Magh Mela is the annual version of the Kumbh. The main bathing days are known as 'Shahi Snans' or 'Royal Bathing Days'. Sadhus at Allahabad Kumbhmela, 2007 The most recent Kumbh Mela was in 2001 in Allahabad and millions of pilgrims took a holy dip in Sangam on the auspicious the Mauni Amavasya on the 24th January 2001. The main bathing days for the Kumbh Mela are: Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchmi, Maghi Poornima and Maha Shivratri

Main Bathing Date for 2013 Allahabad Kumbhmela: 10th February 2013 Auspicious bathing at Allahabad Kumbhmela, 2007 • Auspicious Bathing Dates • Kumbmela 2013 Itineraries

How to Reach Allahabad By Air: Allahabad is served by the Allahabad Airport (Bamrauli Air Force Base) and is linked to Delhi and Kolkata by JetLite and Air India Regional. Other larger airports in the vicinity are at Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport 125 km) and Lucknow (Amausi International Airport 238 km). Major Airlines between Delhi and Allahabad: • Air India Major Airlines between Delhi and Varanasi: • Air India AI-406 • Jet Airways 9W-723 • Spice jet SG-114 • Jet Konnect 9W-2637 Major Airlines between Mumbai and Varanasi: • Air India AI-695 By Rail: Allahabad is the headquarters of the North Central Railway Zone, and is well connected by trains with all major cities in India. The major trains between Delhi to Allahabad are: • Dibrugarh Rajdhani 2424=12424 • Kolkata Rajdhani 2302=12302 • Patna Rajdhani 2310=12310 • New Delhi Allahabad Duronto 2276=12276 • Poorva Express 2304=12304 • Shiv Ganga Express 2560=12560 The major trains between Mumbai to Allahabad are: • Rajendranagar Janata Express 3202=13202 • Kolkata Mail 2322=12322 • Pawan Express 1061=11061 • Godaan Express 1055=11055 The major train between Chennai to Allahabad is: • SanghMitra Express 2295=12295 The major train between Bangalore to Allahabad is: • SanghMitra Express 2295=12295 • Kolkata Rajdhani Express 2301=12301 • Howrah Jodhpur Express 2307=12307 The major trains between Guwahati to Allahabad are: • Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express 2423=12423 • Poorvottar Sampark Kranti Express 2501=12501 By Road: NH2 runs through the middle of the city. NH96 connects to NH28 at Faizabad. Another is NH27 which starts from Allahabad and ends at Mangawan in Madhya Pradesh connecting to NH7. There are other state highways that link Allahabad to all other parts of the country.

Other Attractions to visit in Allahabad Sangam: It's the place where the confluence of three holy rivers-Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati takes place. Center of attraction for hundreds and thousands of religious travelers Allahabad Fort: Built by Akbar in AD 1583, this fort exhibits fine depictions of art, design, architecture, and craftsmanship of the fort Patalpuri Temple and Akshaya Vat: Located inside the Allahabad Fort, this is actually an underground temple dedicated to Lord Rama. Anand Bhawan: the ancestral home of the Nehru's, the Anand Bhawan now becomes one of the excellent museums of India. Allahabad Museum: the Allahabad Museum preserves the paintings of Nicholas Roerich, terracotta figurines, Rajasthani miniatures, coins and stone sculptures from the 2nd century BC till date. Weekend Excursions to nearby places like Jhusi, Kaushambi, Bhita, Shringverpur, Kara, Upardaha Lake and the Tons River Aqueduct.

Fast facts about Allahabad: