Prayagraj is where the past shakes hands with the present. Three sacred rivers meet here, and so do curious travellers and deeprooted faith. The city has new events, fresh infrastructure, and a timeless charm that feels both old and young. This guide speaks in short, clear sentences. It tells the story of a modern Indian pilgrim who has walked the ghats at dawn, bargained with boatmen at noon, and watched laser light ripple on water after sunset.
The Big Picture
A Confluence of Culture
A City Always on the Move
Prayagraj, once called Allahabad, sits at the Triveni Sangam where the Ganga, Yamuna, and hidden Saraswati unite. Millions arrive to bathe here during normal days, but the crowds turn into an ocean during the Maha Kumbh Mela. The 2025 edition drew a record 660 million devotees between 13 January and 26 February. Uttar Pradesh built a pop-up tent city of 4,000 hectares, added smart-city tech, and deployed 2,000 medical staff to keep pilgrims safe.
The flow of visitors does not stop when the Kumbh ends. A nightly 45-minute Water Laser Show at Kali Ghat keeps the Sangam glittering from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, free for all. Tourism officials have pledged to run the show for five years, turning spirituality into an evening spectacle. In 2024 the state welcomed 64.9 crore tourists, and Prayagraj alone logged over 5.1 crore visitors.
How to Reach
By Air, Rail, Road
Tips to Beat the Rush
- Airport: Prayagraj Airport (IXD) has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Extra charter flights operated during the Kumbh.
- Rail: Prayagraj Junction (PRYJ) lies on the busy Howrah–Delhi route. Book early in festival season.
- Road: NH-19 links the city to Varanasi (120 km) and Kanpur (200 km). UPSRTC runs 24×7 buses in January–February.
- Ride-sharing: App-based taxis run, but expect surge pricing during peak snan days.
- Local commute: Autos, e-rickshaws, and pedal boats. Bicycles are allowed on certain ghats before 8 AM.
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Best Time to Visit
Winter Magic (Oct–Mar)
Special Kumbh Windows
The heat dips after Dussehra, making October to March pleasant for walks and heritage tours. If you want to see gigantic crowds, pick one of the six major bath days of the next Magh Mela. Avoid May–June unless you enjoy 45 °C afternoons and frequent power cuts.
Where to Stay
Tents, Dharamshalas, Hotels
Budget to Luxury Picks
- Tented Cottages at Sangam: ₹3,000–₹15,000 per night; book via UP Tourism.
- Mid-range hotels in Civil Lines: ₹2,000–₹5,000; close to café culture.
- Budget lodges near Railway Station: ₹800–₹1,200; basic fan rooms.
- Heritage Homestay in Daraganj: ₹4,000; Ganga-view balconies.
Always carry a photo ID; police conduct surprise checks during big events.
Must-Visit Places
Spiritual Icons
Heritage & Leisure
1. Triveni Sangam
Sunrise boat rides bring soft light on holy waters. A dip here is believed to wash away sins. Army pontoons keep queues orderly during Kumbh. Life jackets are now compulsory for paid boats.
2. Bade Hanuman Mandir
Only reclining Hanuman idol in the world. Temple opens 5:00 AM–2:00 PM and 5:00 PM–8:00 PM; open till 10:00 PM on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Expect long lines but quick darshan.
3. Allahabad Fort
Akbar’s 1583 masterpiece overlooks the Sangam. Still an army base; limited civilian entry needs permits. Highlights: Ashoka Pillar (232 BC), Patalpuri Temple, and Akshayavat tree. Timings 7:00 AM–6:00 PM when open.
4. Anand Bhavan
Nehru–Gandhi home turned museum. Open 9:30 AM–5:00 PM, closed Monday. Tickets: ₹50 for Indians; ₹250 for foreigners. Hire a guide for stories of midnight meetings and secret radio rooms.
5. Jawahar Planetarium
Next door to Anand Bhavan. Shows at 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:30 PM.Check your “Moon weight” on fun scales.
6. Chandrashekhar Azad Park (Company Bagh)
133-acre green lung. Jogging track, Victoria Memorial canopy, and a lake slated for boating revival with ₹4 crore facelift. Open dawn to dusk; no entry fee.
7. Allahabad Museum
Inside Azad Park. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10:30 AM–5:00 PM. Entry: ₹20 Indians; ₹50 updated rate at counter; free for children under 8. Don’t miss the Gandhi Gallery and prehistoric rock art.
8. Khusro Bagh
40-acre Mughal garden with three domed tombs. Restoration work funded ₹59 lakh for lighting and landscaping ahead of Kumbh. Opens 6:00 AM–8:00 PM.
9. All Saints Cathedral
Gothic stone church consecrated in 1887. Open daily 8:00 AM–6:00 PM. Visit 15 minutes before Sunday service for quiet photos of stained glass.
10. Water Laser Show
Runs twice daily at 7 PM and 8 PM, Kali Ghat near Boat Club. Each show 45 minutes; free entry. Scenes from Ramayana and Kumbh tales splash across a water screen.
Food Trail
Street Bites
Sit-Down Treats
- Boat Club Kulfi: Creamy saffron sticks at ₹40.
- Loknath Lane Chaat: Tangy palak-patta and tamarind pani-ke-batashe.
- Sangam Fish Fry: River carp, crisp in mustard oil, ₹120 a plate.
- Civil Lines Cafés: Try malai latte and banana-walnut cakes.
- Madhurima Sweets: Khus khus burfi boxed for trains.
Always carry your own water; plastic bottles banned on ghats during Mela days.
One-Day Itinerary
Morning Spiritual Start
Evening Tech-Meets-Tradition
05:30 AM – Boat to Triveni Sangam, holy dip.
07:30 AM – Darshan at Bade Hanuman Mandir.
09:00 AM – Breakfast of kachori-sabzi near High Court crossing.
10:30 AM – Guided tour of Allahabad Fort (permit needed).
12:30 PM – Walk through Khusro Bagh gardens.
02:00 PM – Lunch in Civil Lines café.
03:30 PM – Anand Bhavan and Jawahar Planetarium double-combo.
06:00 PM – Sunset chai at Saraswati Ghat.
07:00 PM – Water Laser Show at Kali Ghat.
08:00 PM – Dinner with Awadhi biryani.
10:00 PM – Stroll around lit All Saints Cathedral.
Two-Day Extension
Heritage Hop
Nature & Craft
Day 2:
08:00 AM – Cycle inside Azad Park, visit Allahabad Museum.
11:00 AM – Take bus to Shankar Viman Mandapam temple on the upstream bank.
01:00 PM – Eat litti-chokha at a riverside stall.
03:00 PM – Cross New Yamuna Bridge for skyline shots.
05:00 PM – Ferry to Arail Ghat at twilight; see fishermen mend nets.
07:30 PM – Attend Ganga Aarti at Sangam nose.
09:00 PM – Late-night rabri at Chowk.
Safety & Etiquette
Crowd Tips
Cultural Respect
- Snan days see over 5 crore people; stay in marked lanes.
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples.
- Drones banned without permit.
- Ask before photographing sadhus.
- Footwear counters or plastic bags at ghats.
- Women-only help desks near Sector-5 police post during Mela.
Budget Calculator (per person, off-peak 2 days)
Frequently Asked Questions
Logistics
Festivals
Q1: How early should I book hotels for Kumbh 2028?
Q2: Is the Saraswati river visible?
Q3: Can foreigners enter Allahabad Fort?
Q5: What is the best temple dress code?
Q6: Are women safe travelling solo?
Insider Tips from the Road
Dawn, Dusk & Dilli Haat Hacks
Saving Rupees, Gaining Memories
- Reach Sangam before sunrise. Boatmen charge half pre-7 AM.
- Carry a cotton gamcha; doubles as mask in dust and towel after dip.
- Skip the main ghat queue; use Jhunsi side pontoon for quicker entry.
- Eat satvik thali at Bharadwaj Ashram canteen—₹80 unlimited.
- Buy Khusro Bagh guava jelly packs; lighter than sweets and travel-friendly.
- Use the footbridge on the New Yamuna Bridge at dusk for pink-sky photos.
- Attend the weekly Sufi qawwali at Khusro Tomb courtyard Friday 6 PM.
- If trains are full, book Vande Bharat to Banaras, then a 3-hour bus to Prayagraj.
- UP Tourism’s Kumbh SahAIyak chatbot on BHASHINI app answers live queries in 11 languages.
- Laser show queues thicken by 6:30 PM; sit on the left tier for clearer water screen view.
Beyond Prayagraj
Circuits to Pair
Quick Escapes
- Varanasi (120 km): Sunrise aarti, street silk shopping.
- Ayodhya (175 km): Ram Temple, Saryu ghats; now UP’s hottest spot.
- Chitrakoot (135 km): Forested hills, Bharat Milap Mandap.
- Shivrajpur Beach (if driving toward Kanpur): Clean Blue-flag sands.
Last Word
Where Faith Feels Fresh
Keep Coming Back
Prayagraj offers more than holy dips. It weaves lasers with legends, planetarium shows with pilgrimage songs, and Mughal walls with modern bridges. Come once for the maha-crowd. Return later for silent mornings on stone steps, when only gulls and rising mist keep you company. The rivers will still be there, whispering ancient hymns in a brand-new voice.
