AIR
Allahabad does not have an airport presently. However, efforts are on to connect the city by air by the start of the Mahakumbhmela in 2001.

Airport
The nearest airports are at Varanasi (120 km) and Lucknow (200 km), which are served by IA flights connecting to Agra, Bhubaneswar, Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, Khajuraho and Patna. Varanasi is also connected with Kathmandu, and Lucknow has flights from Sharjah as well.

RAIL
Allahabad is an important rail terminus connected by trains to almost all the major cities in India. However,it is preferable to take a train from either Delhi or Calcutta.

Railway Station
Allahabad Junction,right in the heart of the city.

ROAD
Good roads with the rest of the country.Direct UPSRTC buses connect Allahabad with Varanasi, Ayodhya (167 km) and Lucknow.

Area
63.07 sq km

Altitude
98 m above sea level

Language
Hindi,English and Urdu

Best time to visit
November to February

STD Code
0532

CLIMATE
summers ranging between 26.6°C and 46.1°C.
winter temperatures rising to a maximum of 29°C.

Sangam
At 7 km from the Civil Lines, under the shadow of the eastern ramparts of the fort, muddy banks protrude towards the spot where the brown waters of the Ganga merge into the greens of the Yamuna. The Sangam, as it has been known through the ages, is believed to be one of the holiest sites in India where Hindus come to offer their prayers. To reach the Sangam, you can rent a boat from the ghat which is to the east of the fort (Rs 12 per person).

Kumbhmela
It is the largest religious fair in the world when millions of people gather at Allahabad, only to take a dip at the Sangam, where the mythical Saraswati merges with the Ganga and the Yamuna. The Mela is renowned for the diverse ranks of pilgrims and sadhus who come here to experience divinity. The next Mahakumbhmela, which takes place once in 12 years, will be held from January 2013.

Allahabad Fort
Realising the strategic importance of the place, the Mughal Emperor Akbar built this magnificent fort in 1583. Rising above the river s edge, it was unrivalled for its design and construction, and has the distinction of being the oldest Mughal fort in India. It was Akbar who named the city Illahabas or Illahabad ? the city of Allah ? from which it got its present name. At present the army uses the fort premises. However, visitors are allowed to visit the Saraswati Kup, a well, believed to be the source of the Saraswati River, the underground Patalpuri Temple and the beautiful Jodhabai Palace.

Ashoka Pillar
The Ashoka Pillar within the fort is made of polished sandstone and has several edicts and a Persian inscription of Jehangir inscribed on it. At 10.6 m, it stands tall if not for its height then surely for its glorious antiquity, which dates back to 232 BC.

Akshaya Vat
The immortal Banyan tree within the Patalpuri Temple inside the fort is a must-see. Revered in the ancient scriptures, it is believed to have been there since the beginning of time!

Hanuman Mandir
This temple is the only one in North India with an idol of Hanuman in a reclining posture. The structure is washed by the river water and gets submerged when the Ganga is in high tide.

All Saints Cathedral
Designed by Sir William Emerson in 1870, the cathedral is a wonderful specimen of colonial architecture. After completing this, he went on to design the Victoria Memorial in Calcutta. The cathedral was consecrated in 1887, and to this day remains one of the finest Anglican cathedrals in Asia. The red and white façade of the building and the intricate inlay work on the marble altar are undeniably impressive.

Khusru Bagh
The beautiful walled garden with its tranquil surroundings is the last resting-place of Khusru, the son of Emperor Jehangir and Shah Begum, and is an ideal place for a quiet evening stroll.

Anand Bhawan
The ancestral home of the illustrious Nehru family, Anand Bhawan has now been converted into a museum and displays the memorabilia of India s First Family. During the heyday of the freedom movement this house was witness to many momentous decisions and the aura of the sentiment of the struggle is almost tangible.

Swaraj Bhawan
It is the old Anand Bhawan which was donated to the nation by Motilal Nehru and was subsequently used as the headquarters of the Congress Committee during the Freedom Movement.

Jhusi (Pratisthanpuri)
Situated 9 km from Allahabad, Jhusi (Pratisthanpuri) is a place for people wanting peace of mind and soul. It has many ashrams and temples and can be reached from Allahabad by taxis, buses, and boats, etc.

Kaushambi (62 km)
Is a place traditionally associated with the Mahabharata. The city was once a great Buddhist center. Lord Buddha is believed to have visited Kaushambi twice to deliver discourses. The ruins of an ancient fort bear witness to the antiquity of the place. There are also remains of a monastery.

Bhita (20 km)
Is an archeological site with remains dating back to 300 BC.

Shringverpur (40 km)
Was once the capital city of the kingdom of Nishadraj (King of Boatmen). Legend has it that Lord Rama stayed here overnight while going to the forest. Before steering Rama across the Ganga in his boat, his feet were washed by Nishadraj.

Though Allahabad is more of a religious place, the markets are worth a visit. Explore the Chowk,Katra and the well-laid-out Civil Lines markets but remember that you are a good buyer only if you bargain hard. Gifts and novelties, dress materials, jewellery and brass ware, silk brocades and Benarasi saris are all popular for their special designs native to the city. Red guavas from Allahabad are very popular for their taste and quality-grab as many as you can, for they are scarcely found in the markets of other cities! For the musically inclined, good quality musical instruments like the sitar are worth checking out.