Allahabad travel guide

History

Ancient sites here point to Allahabad’s early history. Draupadi Ghat has revealed signs of extensive habitation and quantities of pottery, Northern Black Polished Ware, dated between 1100 and 800 BC. Remains of the the Kushans were found on the Bharadwaj Ashram site. The Muslims first conquered it in 1194 and renamed it Allahabad in 1584. It later became the headquarters of the British government of the Northwest Provinces and Oudh, and here the transfer of government from the East India Company to the crown was announced by Lord Canning in 1858.

has few monuments pre-dating the Muslim period. The fort, begun in 1583, was the largest of Akbar’s forts. It has three massive gateways and 7-m-high walls, seen to advantage from across the river. The Marathas held it from 1739 to 1750, then the Pathans, and finally the British from 1801. Most of the fort is closed to visitors, including the third-century BC Asoka pillar, moved there from Kausambi under Akbar’s orders. Under the fort’s east wall is the Undying Banyan Tree (Akshaivata), an underground temple from which pilgrims threw themselves to achieve salvation in death. To see, ask for a permit at the tourist office.

Getting around

Many of the city’s hotels are in Civil Lines, within easy reach of the Junction station (rear exit) and the bus stands. Although this centre is quite compact you need an auto-rickshaw to get to some of the main sights, including the Fort and the Sangam. Metered taxis and cycle-rickshaws are also easily available.

Ins and outs

Getting there

Bamrauli airport is 18 km west of town. The Civil Lines (MG Marg) Bus Stand and the Leader Road Bus Stand, near Junction Station, are used by buses arriving from the north and west, while Zero Road Bus Stand, halfway between the Junction and City railway stations, serves local and southern routes, including Khajuraho. Just south of the Civil Lines, Allahabad Junction Station is the main stop for Delhi and Kolkata trains. There are also direct trains from Mumbai and key cities of South India.

Allahabad

Bus

UP Roadways and other state RTCs link Allahabad with Delhi (643 km), Gwalior, Jaunpur, Jhansi (375 km), Kanpur, Lucknow (204 km), Meerut, Patna (368 km), Rewa, Sasaram and Varanasi (122 km). Roadways Bus Stands: Civil Lines, T0532-2601257; Zero Rd, T0532-240 0192; Leader Rd (south gate of Junction station), T0532-261 5625. Private bus stands at Ram Bagh and Leader Rd for luxury coaches to Lucknow and Varanasi.

Train

Allahabad is on the major broad-gauge route from Delhi to Kolkata but also has metre gauge trains. Allahabad Junction is the main station, T0532-260 0179. To avoid long queues use ticket booth on the north side. Prayag station has some broad gauge trains for Kanpur and Lucknow and left luggage; Allahabad City T0532-260 6878, mostly for Varanasi. Jabalpur: Patna Lokmanya Tilak Exp 3201, 0830, 7½ hrs; Varanasi Lokmanya Tilak Exp 2166, 2335, Tue, Fri, Sun, 5½ hrs. Jhansi: Bundelkhand Exp 1108, 1920, 10 hrs. Lucknow: Ganga- Gomti Exp 4215, 0600, 4 hrs (2nd class only); Nauchandi/Link Exp 4511, 1730, 5 hrs. Kolkata: Kalka-Howrah Mail 2312, 1735, 13¼ hrs; Rajdhani Exp 2306, 2346, 10¼ hrs. Mumbai (CST): Mumbai Mail 2321, 1110, 24¼ hrs; Mahanagiri Exp 1094, 1510, 24 hrs. New Delhi: Prayagraj Exp 2417, 2130, 9 hrs; Poorva Exp 2303/2381, 2205, 9¼ hrs. Patna: Magadh Exp 2402, 0525, 6¼ hrs; Udyan Abha Toofan Exp 3008, 2225, 8 hrs; Lal Quila Exp 3112, 1100, 8 hrs. Varanasi: Gorakhpur Kashi Exp 5017, 0845, 4 hrs; Sarnath Exp 4259, 1305, 3 hrs; Bundelkhand Exp 1107, 0640, 3¼ hrs.

Banks

Bank of India, 10 Sardar Patel Marg, T0532-262 4834.

Medical services

Dufferin Hospital, Hospital Chowk, T0532-265 1822. Motilal Nehru Hospital, Colvin, T0532-265 2141.