Prayagraj Travel Guide: Triveni Sangam, Kumbh Mela, Temples and History

Welcome to our Prayagraj travel guide. Prayagraj, long known as Allahabad and in old texts as Prayag, sits in Uttar Pradesh where the Ganga and the Yamuna meet the hidden Saraswati at the Triveni Sangam. For Hindus it is Tirthraj, the king of pilgrimage places, and every year millions come for a holy dip, the Magh Mela and, in its years, the great Kumbh Mela. It is also a city of history, with Akbar’s fort, the Nehru family home and old colonial buildings. This guide covers the Sangam, the temples, the sights, the melas, the best time to visit and our Prayagraj tour packages.

Prayagraj at a Glance

Here are the key facts in our Prayagraj travel guide.

• Other names: Allahabad, Prayag, Tirthraj
• State: Uttar Pradesh, North India
• Known for: the Triveni Sangam, the Kumbh Mela and Magh Mela, the Lete Hanuman temple, Allahabad Fort and Anand Bhavan
• Days needed: one to two
• Best time: October to March, and January to February for the Magh Mela
• Nearest airport: Prayagraj Airport (Bamrauli), about 12 km from the city

Triveni Sangam

The Triveni Sangam is the first stop in every Prayagraj travel guide. Here the muddy Ganga and the green-blue Yamuna meet, and you can see the line where the two colours join. Hindus believe the Saraswati joins them unseen, which makes the Sangam one of the holiest places in India.

Triveni Sangam Boat Ride

Boats leave from the ghats near the fort, such as Saraswati Ghat and Qila Ghat, and take about 20 minutes to reach the meeting point. Our Prayagraj travel guide recommends a Sangam boat ride at sunrise, when the river is calm and birds fly over the water in winter.

Sangam Snan, the Holy Dip

Pilgrims take a holy dip, or Sangam Snan, from wooden platforms set up in the river, and many perform pujas and rituals for their ancestors with local priests. You can also simply watch, and float a small leaf lamp on the water.

Shamrock travel tip: agree the price of a boat before you get in, and carry a towel and a change of clothes for the holy dip. Boatmen and priests may ask for extra money for rituals, so decide in advance what you want. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Temples of Prayagraj

This part of our Prayagraj travel guide lists the temples most pilgrims visit on a Prayagraj temple tour.

Lete Hanuman Temple (Bade Hanuman Mandir)

The most visited temple in this Prayagraj travel guide stands near the Sangam. This much-loved temple has a large statue of Lord Hanuman lying down. Pilgrims believe a visit here completes the Sangam yatra.

Alopi Devi Temple

A stop no Prayagraj travel guide should miss, this Shakti Peeth is a temple where, instead of an idol, a wooden cradle called a doli is worshipped. It is one of the most important goddess temples in the city.

Akshayavat and Patalpuri Temple

Inside the walls of Allahabad Fort stands the Akshayavat, the immortal banyan tree of legend, and the underground Patalpuri temple. Both are now open to pilgrims through a separate entrance; check the timings before you go.

Other Temples

The Mankameshwar temple of Lord Shiva on the Yamuna, the Nag Vasuki temple, the Bharadwaj Ashram and the tall Shankar Viman Mandapam are also worth a visit.

Historic Prayagraj

Prayagraj, or Allahabad, played a great part in India’s history. Our Prayagraj travel guide picks the best places for an Allahabad historical tour.

• Allahabad Fort: built by Emperor Akbar on the Yamuna at the Sangam. It is used by the army, so most of it can only be seen from outside or from a boat.
• Anand Bhavan and Swaraj Bhavan: the Nehru family home, now a museum of India’s freedom struggle, with a planetarium next door.
• Chandrashekhar Azad Park and the Allahabad Museum: a large park named after the freedom fighter, with a good museum of sculpture and art.
• Khusro Bagh: a walled Mughal garden with the tombs of Prince Khusrau and his family.
• All Saints Cathedral: a grand stone church in the Gothic style, also called the Patthar Girja.

Kumbh Mela and Magh Mela

No Prayagraj travel guide is complete without the melas. The Kumbh Mela is one of the largest gatherings of people in the world. The Maha Kumbh comes to Prayagraj every 12 years, and the Ardh Kumbh every six years. A tent city rises on the sandbanks, and sadhus, saints and pilgrims bathe at the Sangam on the main bathing days.

The Magh Mela is held every year in January and February, with the main bathing days on Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya and Basant Panchami. Many pilgrims stay the whole month in camps as Kalpvasis, living simply by the river.

Shamrock travel tip: for the Kumbh or the Magh Mela, book tents or hotels months ahead, and avoid the busiest bathing days if you are with children or seniors. We plan a Kumbh Mela tour package or Magh Mela tour with safe camps and a local guide. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Prayagraj Tour Packages

If you want us to plan everything, these private tours include Prayagraj, with a car, driver and licensed guide. Each one can be changed to suit you.

• 2-day Spiritual Prayagraj tour: the Sangam snan and boat ride, the main temples and Anand Bhavan.
• 5-day Varanasi Prayagraj Bodhgaya tour: Kashi, Sarnath, a day at the Triveni Sangam, the Mahabodhi Temple and Gaya.
• 6-day Varanasi Bodhgaya Prayagraj tour: the same holy places, with a night at the Sangam and a sunrise boat ride.

We also plan customised Prayagraj tour packages: a Prayagraj sightseeing package with a Sangam boat ride, a Prayagraj Varanasi tour, a Prayagraj Ayodhya tour, a Varanasi Ayodhya Prayagraj tour, family tours, and Kumbh Mela and Magh Mela tour packages. See our Varanasi tour packages.

Suggested Prayagraj Itineraries

Use these plans from our Prayagraj travel guide to set your days.

One Day in Prayagraj

Sunrise boat ride and holy dip at the Sangam, the Lete Hanuman temple, the Akshayavat, then Anand Bhavan and the Alopi Devi temple in the afternoon.

Two Days in Prayagraj

Add Chandrashekhar Azad Park and the museum, Khusro Bagh, All Saints Cathedral and the evening aarti at the Sangam.

Prayagraj with Varanasi and Ayodhya

Varanasi is about three hours away and Ayodhya about three to four hours. Together they make a five- to six-day Hindu pilgrimage tour. Read our Varanasi travel guide.

How to Reach Prayagraj

This part of our Prayagraj travel guide explains the three main ways to arrive.

By Air

Prayagraj Airport has flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities. Varanasi airport, about three hours away, has more flights.

By Train

Prayagraj Junction is a major station, with fast trains such as the Vande Bharat Express from Delhi and Varanasi.

By Road

Good roads link Prayagraj with Varanasi (about three hours), Ayodhya (three to four hours), Lucknow (about four hours) and Chitrakoot (about three hours).

Best Time to Visit Prayagraj

Our Prayagraj travel guide suggests October to March as the best time to visit, with cool, pleasant days. January and February bring the Magh Mela, and the Kumbh years draw the biggest crowds. April to June is very hot, and in July to September the rivers rise and boat rides may stop.

Prayagraj Travel Tips

Before you go, read these tips from our Prayagraj travel guide.

• Dress modestly, and wear clothes that dry fast for the holy dip.
• Keep your phone and valuables in a waterproof bag on the boat.
• Remove your shoes at temples, and ask before you take photos of sadhus.
• Carry some cash for boats, offerings and small shops.

Prayagraj Travel Guide FAQs

What is the best time for a holy dip at the Sangam?

Early morning, around sunrise, is the most auspicious and the calmest time.

Can I visit the Akshayavat inside Allahabad Fort?

Yes. As this Prayagraj travel guide explains, the Akshayavat and the Patalpuri temple are open to pilgrims through a separate entrance, though timings can change.

Are Prayagraj and Allahabad the same city?

Yes. The city’s official name is now Prayagraj, its ancient name, but many people still call it Allahabad.

What should I wear?

Modest, light clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and a change of clothes if you plan a holy dip.

Can I combine Prayagraj with Varanasi?

Yes. Varanasi is about three hours away. Our 5-day and 6-day tours above join both with Bodhgaya.

Plan Your Prayagraj Trip

We hope this Prayagraj travel guide helps you plan. Read our Bodh Gaya travel guide, see our spiritual tours of India, our cultural tours of India, all our India tour packages and the best North India tours. Request your free quote

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