Prayagraj, India

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Prayagraj, India

Region: Uttar Pradesh

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Geographic Coordinates: 25.435800, 81.846400

Climate: Prayagraj has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. Monsoon season occurs from June to September, with the heaviest rainfall in July.

Population: 5954391

Language: Hindi

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Prayagraj, Previously known as Allahabad, Is a city located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated at the confluence of three holy rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Prayagraj has a rich history dating back to ancient times and has been an important cultural and religious center for centuries. One of the most significant events that takes place in Prayagraj is the Kumbh Mela, Which is held every 12 years.

This religious festival attracts millions of pilgrims from all over India who come to bathe in the holy waters at Sangam – the point where the three rivers meet. The Kumbh Mela is considered one of the largest gatherings of people in the world. Apart from its religious significance, Prayagraj also has a rich architectural heritage. The city boasts numerous historical monuments such as Allahabad Fort, Akbar’s Palace and Patalpuri Temple among others. These structures showcase different architectural styles ranging from Mughal to British colonial. Prayagraj also played an important role during India’s struggle for independence from British rule.

It was here that Mahatma Gandhi launched his non-violent civil disobedience movement against British rule in 1920 with his famous speech at Anand Bhavan – now converted into a museum dedicated to him. The city has also produced several notable personalities such as former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and legendary poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan among others. In recent times, Prayagraj has undergone rapid development with modern infrastructure projects such as flyovers and highways being constructed across the city. The government is also investing heavily in tourism promotion initiatives aimed at attracting more visitors to this historic city.

Overall, Prayagraj represents a unique blend of ancient traditions and modern developments making it an interesting destination for tourists looking to explore India’s rich cultural heritage.

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1. Triveni Sangam is the point where three rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati converge.
2. Allahabad Fort is a historic fort constructed by Emperor Akbar.
3. Kumbh Mela is a religious festival that takes place every 12 years and attracts millions of pilgrims from across the globe.
4. Anand Bhawan was the ancestral home of the Nehru family and now serves as a museum showcasing their history and contributions to India’s freedom struggle.
5. Hanuman Mandir is a well-known temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman situated on the banks of river Yamuna.
6. Alfred Park, named after Prince Alfred, is an extensive park featuring several monuments and statues including the famous Victoria Memorial.
7. Allahabad Museum displays artifacts related to Indian history, culture and art.
8. Jawahar Planetarium offers interactive shows on astronomy and space science for visitors of all ages.
9. Akshaya Vat Tree holds mythological significance as one of India’s oldest trees located inside Allahabad Fort.
10. All Saints Cathedral was built in Gothic style architecture in 1870 as an Anglican church.

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1. Agriculture: Prayagraj is known for its fertile land, and agriculture is a significant industry here. The city produces crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, and pulses.
2. Textiles: Prayagraj has a rich history of textile production, and the city is famous for its handloom sarees, dress materials, and carpets.
3. Tourism: With the presence of Triveni Sangam (confluence of three rivers), Kumbh Mela (a religious festival), Allahabad Fort, Anand Bhawan (the ancestral home of Jawaharlal Nehru), etc., tourism thrives in Prayagraj.
4. Education: Prayagraj has several reputed educational institutions such as Allahabad University, Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-A), Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) among others.
5. Healthcare: The city has several hospitals and medical colleges that provide healthcare services to people from nearby areas.
6. Small-scale industries: There are many small-scale industries in the city that produce items like glassware, leather goods, brassware items etc.
7. Service sector: The service sector also contributes significantly to the economy of Prayagraj with banks and insurance companies having their presence here.

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1. Kumbh Mela: Prayagraj is famous for hosting the Kumbh Mela, which is the world’s largest religious gathering. It takes place every 12 years and attracts millions of pilgrims from all over India.
2. Nehru Family: The Nehru family, including India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, his daughter Indira Gandhi (who also served as Prime Minister), and her son Rajiv Gandhi were all born in Prayagraj.
3. Akbar: Emperor Akbar established his capital at Prayagraj for a brief period during his reign.
4. Ashoka: Emperor Ashoka visited Prayagraj during his reign and built several Buddhist stupas in the city.
5. Allahabad University: One of India’s oldest universities, Allahabad University was founded in 1887 and has produced many notable alumni including former Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
6. Anand Bhawan: This historic house was home to Jawaharlal Nehru’s family for several decades and now serves as a museum dedicated to their legacy.
7. Alfred Park: This park was originally named after Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh but was renamed Chandra Shekhar Azad Park after Indian freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad who died here during a shootout with British police.
8. Swaraj Bhawan: Another historic house that belonged to Jawaharlal Nehru’s family, Swaraj Bhawan served as a hub for Indian independence movement activities during British rule.
9. Madan Mohan Malviya: A prominent Indian independence activist and educationist, Madan Mohan Malviya founded the Banaras Hindu University and played a key role in the Indian independence movement.
10. Allahabad High Court: One of India’s oldest high courts, the Allahabad High Court was established in 1866 and has jurisdiction over Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand states.

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1. Allahabad Fort is a historical fort built during the Mughal era.
2. Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest religious gathering, held every 12 years in Prayagraj.
3. Anand Bhawan Museum and Jawahar Planetarium are a museum dedicated to India’s independence movement and a planetarium showcasing astronomy.
4. Allahabad Museum is an archaeological museum featuring artifacts from ancient India.
5. Triveni Sangam is the confluence of three rivers (Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) considered sacred by Hindus.
6. Alfred Park or Chandra Shekhar Azad Park is a public park with historical significance as it was the site where freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad shot himself to avoid capture by British police.
7. Akshaya Vat or immortal tree – located inside Allahabad fort – is said to be one of the oldest trees in India with its roots dating back to thousands of years.
8. All Saints Cathedral Church is an Anglican cathedral built during British rule in Gothic Revival style architecture.
9. Patalpuri Temple – located inside Allahabad Fort – is believed to be one of the holiest shrines for Hindus as it houses Akshayavat tree.
10. Swaraj Bhawan- A two-story building where former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was born which now serves as a museum showcasing her life and political career along with that of her father Jawaharlal Nehru who was also instrumental in India’s independence struggle.

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1. Kumbh Mela is a significant Hindu festival that occurs every 12 years in Prayagraj. Millions of pilgrims from all over India visit to take a holy dip in the confluence of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati.
2. Ardh Kumbh Mela is a smaller version of the Kumbh Mela that takes place every six years in Prayagraj.
3. Magh Mela is an annual Hindu festival that occurs in January or February, where devotees take a holy dip in the river Ganga.
4. Allahabad Heritage Walk is a guided heritage walk through the city’s historical sites and monuments organized by Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department.
5. Triveni Mahotsav is a cultural festival celebrating the confluence of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati – with music, dance performances and food stalls.
6. Naini Lake Festival is a two-day cultural event held at Naini Lake featuring boat races, cultural performances and food stalls.
7. Allahabad Literature Festival is an annual literary event featuring talks by renowned authors, book launches and panel discussions on literature-related topics.
8. International Yoga Festival is an annual event held at Parmarth Niketan Ashram featuring yoga classes taught by international yoga experts from different traditions.
9. Ramleela Mahotsav: It’s an annual theatrical performance based on Lord Rama’s life story during Navaratri (nine nights) before Dussehra celebrations.
10. Holi Milan Samaroh: It’s celebrated after Holi with great enthusiasm among people belonging to all religions. It marks unity among people as they forget their differences during this festival.

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• Kachori Sabzi – Aloo Puri Wala is a popular breakfast dish in Prayagraj. It consists of deep-fried bread (puri) served with potato curry and spicy lentil fritters (kachori).
• Chhole Bhature is another popular breakfast dish that can be found at many street food stalls and restaurants in Prayagraj. It consists of spicy chickpea curry served with puffy fried bread (bhature).
• Mughlai Cuisine reflects the rich history of Mughal influence in Prayagraj’s cuisine, with popular dishes like kebabs, biryani, and korma.
• Chaat originated in North India, including Prayagraj, and typically consists of crispy fried dough wafers topped with various savory toppings like chutneys, yogurt, spices, and vegetables.
• Prayagraj is known for its delicious sweets like peda (milk fudge), gulab jamun (deep-fried milk balls soaked in syrup), rasgulla (spongy cheese balls soaked in syrup), and barfi (sweetened condensed milk squares).

Some popular restaurants to try these dishes are:

1. El Chico
2. The Tamarind Tree
3. Shree Rathnam Restaurant
4. Kanha Restaurant
5. Haveli Restaurant

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1. Khusro Bagh is a historic garden that houses three mausoleums of Mughal emperors.
2. Alfred Park is a well-known park featuring a statue of Mahatma Gandhi and a playground for children.
3. Company Garden is a botanical garden that boasts an array of plants and trees.
4. Anand Bhawan Museum and Park was once the residence of the Nehru-Gandhi family, but now serves as both a museum and park.
5. Allahabad Fort, built by Emperor Akbar in 1583 AD, is an ancient fort with stunning gardens.
6. Sangam Riverfront Park offers picturesque views on the banks where Ganges river meets Yamuna river.
7. Chandra Shekhar Azad Park has been named after an Indian revolutionary and features amenities like boating on its lake or play area for kids.
8. Naini Lake is situated on the outskirts of Prayagraj and draws visitors to enjoy boating or picnicking by its shores.
9. Triveni Sangam Allahabad Boat Club offers boat rides at sunrise or sunset on the Ganges River to experience its beauty up close.
10. Jawahar Planetarium & Science Centre provides interactive exhibits, shows in English/Hindi language about astronomy & science education programs.

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