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Allahabad,sacred city of Hinduism was formerly called 'Prayag' in commemoration of a sacrifice done by Lord Brahma. According to Hindu mythology for the' Prakrishta Yagna' Lord Brahma chose a piece of land on the earth on the confluence of the three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the mytical Sarswati. This confluence is called Sangam. The Sangam is the venue of many sacred fairs and ritual and attracts thousands of pilgrims throughout theyear. Akbar had visited Prayag in 1575 AD and founded a new city by the name Illahabad which has now become Allahabad. The city was an important cantonment during the British Raj and has some beautiful remnants of colonial architecture. In the the early 20th century, Allahabad was the foremost centre of learning in the country.
Prime Attractions :
» Sangam - At this point the shallow, muddy Ganges meets the green River Yamuna. During the month of Magha (mid-January to mid-February) pilgrims come to bathe at this holy confluence for the festival known as the Magha Mela. Astrologers calculatethe holiest time to enter the water and draw up a 'Holy Dip Schedule'. Themost propitious time of all happeens only every 12 years when the massive Kumbh Mela take place. There's a half-mela (Ardh Mela) every six years.
» Minto Park - Near theYamuna, is where Lord Canning read out the declaration by which Britain tookover controle of India from the East India Company in 1858.
» All SaintsCathedral - Dedicated to the memory of people of all ages and places who have kept their faith in God. The All Saints Cathedral is one of the finest cathedrals in this part of the country. Designed more than a century ago, by Sir William Emerson.
The Kumbh Mela is generally held every three years in rotation at Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik. Kumbh Mela is organized in the month of Magh according to the traditional calendar, which when converted to Gregorian turns to be Feb-March. The most important among these is the one celebrated at Allahabad. Due to the rotation system, the Kumbha Mela comes to Allahabad every 12 Years. The Kumbh Mela that runs for over a month is not only the largest fair in the world but also the largest conglomeration in the human world.
The Kumbh Mela that is also at times called Maha-Kumbh is held every 12 years on the confluence of river Ganges, Yamuna and Mythical Saraswati are attended by devotes from all over the world. In fact, the last addition of this fair saw 15 million people taking dip at the confluence in a single day. This is still held in the record books. The total number of people who took dip in the confluence on the 4 days reserved for general devotees, stands around staggering 40 million!
There is a very interesting legend behind the Kumbh Mela. According to the Hindu mythology it started with the very creation. It is said that once Hindu deities asked for the help of Demons to churn the ocean. This was done to centrifuge the 'Amrit' or 'Nectar' that would have in turn made them immortal. Nevertheless when it came out, deities stole it and didn't share it with the demons. It was hidden at four places in the course of time and a drop of Nectar fell at all those places. These places now hold Kumbh Mela. The main Kumbh is the day of Mauni Amavasya. Other important bathing days are Makar Sankranti, Paush Purnima, Vasant Panchmi, Maghi Purnima and Maha Shivaratri. The Ardh Kumbh Mela at Allahabad is celebrated every 6th year in the month of Magh.
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