January 16, 2019

Holy City Allahabad (Prayag)


The holy city of Allahabad is situated at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. It occupies a large area and is an inland peninsula surrounded by rivers on three sides with only one side connected to the mainland. Allahabad, or Settled by God in Persian, is a major city of India and is one of the main holy cities of Hinduism followers. Allahabad is located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, lying some 205 kilometres (127 mi) south of the state capital, Lucknow. It is the administrative headquarters of the Allahabad District. The ancient name of the city is Prayaga (Sanskrit for "place of sacrifice"), as it is believed to be the spot where Brahma offered his first sacrifice after creating the world. It is one of four sites of the mass Hindu pilgrimage Kumbh Mela, the others being Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. It has a position of importance in Hindu scriptures for it is situated at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna, and the ancient Sarasvati River. Allahabad is at 25.45°N 81.84°E in the southern part of Uttar Pradesh at an elevation of 98 metres (322 ft) and stands at the confluence of two rivers, the Ganges and Yamuna. The region was known in antiquity as the Vats country. To its south and southeast is the Bagelkhand region, to its east is the mid Ganges valley of North India, or Purvanchal, to its southwest is the Bundelkhand region, to its north and northeast is the Awadh region and to its west along with Kaushambi it forms the Lower Doab region. Allahabad is 343 km (213 mi) north of Jabalpur on the same longitude. Indian Standard Time is calculated on the basis of 82.5° E longitude, which is just west of the town of Mirzapur, near Allahabad.

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