Prayagraj Heritage Walk
Prayagraj lies at Sangam or the Confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers. It is believed to be the second oldest city in India and plays a central role in Hindu scriptures.
The Mughal Emperor Akbar named it Illahabad, or the city of God, which the British changed to Allahabad. Mark Twain, the American author, referred to it as Godville. Recently, Allahabad has been officially renamed as Prayagraj. It became the capital of the North-Western Provinces in 1858 and was the capital of India for a day.
It is during the Kumbh/Ardh Kumbh that the Sangam truly comes alive, attracting the devout from all across the country.
The city played an important role in the Revolt of 1857. Subsequently, it played a pivotal role in the freedom movement. The 1888 session of the Indian National Congress was held in the city, and by the turn of the 90th Century Prayagraj became a revolutionary Centre.
Quick Facts
| Quick Facts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Area | 63.07 Sqkm. | |
| Altitude | 98m above sea level | |
| Temperature | 030C-45.500C | |
| Average Annual Precipitation | 85 mm | |
| Best Season | November-March | |
| STD Code | 0532 | |
| Language | Hindi, Urdu, English | |
| Air | Rail | Bus |
|---|---|---|
|
Bamrauli Airport, Tel No: 2581370 |
Prayagraj Junction Station Tel: 138, 139 |
UPSRTC Bus Stand, Civil Lines Tel: 0532-2407257 |
Public Library
The Allahabad Public Library was founded by the Government of North-Western Frontier Provinces. The present institution, the Rajkiya (Government) Public Library is housed in the Thornhill-Mayne Memorial Building. It was erected in the memory of C.B. Thronhill and F.O. Mayne, as a testament of their enduring friendship and ascription to the values of scholarship.
The Library provides wide range of books, magazine, newspaper, gazettes and other reading materials, in Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Bangla and French; some notable ones include the Majama-ul-Bahrain, the Shahnama of Firdausi, Jyotish-Shastra and Ganesh Puran.
It is the oldest library in Prayagraj. The library has almost 75000 books apart from government publications and parliamentary papers, old manuscripts and journals.
Allahabad Museum
Allahabad Museum is located at Kamla Nehru Road inside the picturesque Chandrashekhar Park (Company Bagh) about 2.5 kms from Prayagraj railway junction. The museum was opened to the public in 1954 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The collections of the museum have been displayed in the sixteen galleries of the museum including one gallery for temporary exhibitions. These galleries are Introductory Gallery; Decorative Art Gallery; Arms; Armours and Bronze Gallery; Textile Gallery; Modern Indian Painting Gallery; Freedom Struggle Gallery etc.
All the galleries of Allahabad museum are known for their remarkable exhibits. The museum has got a vast collection of terracotta’s from the important archaeological sites of Kaushambi, Manuscripts in Sanskrit and Persian. The Gandhi gallery depicting the life and achievements of Mahatma Gandhi through photographs houses some rare postal tickets, coins etc. issued by different countries in the honor of the Mahatma.
Chandra Shekhar Azad Park (Alfred Park)
Chandra Shekhar Azad Park (Alfred Park): Earlier known as Alfred Park, Chandrashekhar Azad Park, spread over an area of 133 acres of land is the biggest park in Prayagraj, located about 25 kms from the city Centre. It was renamed after freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar Azad, who sacrificed his life here, during the Indian Independence struggle in 1931. The Park was the site for official ceremonies at the times of British. That were often followed by musical performances of the police band. In its very Centre, the Alfred Park houses a huge statue of George V and Victoria. Chandra Shekhar Azad, Popularly known as by his self- taken name Azad, was an Indian revolutionary who reorganized the Hindustan Socialist Republican.
| Full Name | Chandra Shekhar Tiwari |
|---|---|
| Born |
23 July, 1906, Bhavra |
| Education | Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth |
| Parents |
Jagrani Devi, Sitaram Tiwari |
| Died | 27 February, 1931, Prayagraj |
Muir Central College
Muir Central College was designed by the British architect, William Emerson and opened in 1872, Muir Central College is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. It is located 4 kms away from Prayagraj railway station. Muir Central College has 200 feet tower made of pale yellow sand stone with marble and mosaic floors. It was later established as the University of Allahabad, one of the most reputed Universities of India. The University has Kausambi Museum with various artifacts from Kausambi including pottery, Terracotta figurines, coins, beads and bangles.
The Department of Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics, established in 1872 is one of the most prominent centres of learning in India. The Department is housed in a double-storied Gothic building with a domed roof and is lined with typical, Allahabadi arches, silhouettes of the past. The building also boasts of a tower, resembling the one in Pisa, Italy. The classrooms have high vaults and are lined with textbooks from the wall to the roof. The Department reflects the University’s claims of being the Oxford of the East.
Senate Hall
The Senate Hall building houses the offices of the University administration, including that of the Vice-Chancellor. This lofty structure was constructed by Sir Swinton Jacobs in 1910-1915. The building boasts of an imposing Clock-Tower. The Senate Hall building is decked with Chhatries or canopies the upper Storey has balconies or Jharokhas which are lined with deep crimson, and the walls are penetrated with typical Allahabadi Arches.
Central Library
Central Library had its genesis in the library of the Muir Central College, affiliated to the university, and established in 1872. The present structure was built in 1973.
In front of the library stands a statue of Suraykant Tripathi Nirala, One of Hindi literature’s Poet and translator, who is known for his aesthetic sense, live of nature and freedom to form. Some of his important works include Parimal and Anaamika.
Swaraj Bhawan
Swaraj Bhawan, is the original Anand Bhawan which Motilal Nehru gifted to the Indian National Congress in 1930 when he built his new house next door, i.e. the Anand Bhawan. Both houses are now museum that display the Indian National Movement as well as the carefully crafted adaptation of British colonial lifestyle that characterized Nehru family life. Swaraj Bhawan originally belonged to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the 19th Century Muslim leader and educationist. In 1900, Motilal Nehru bought this house and turned it into a veritable palace. Late prime Minister of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was born at Swaraj Bhawan.
Anand Bhawan
Located about 3.5 kms from Prayagraj Railway Station, Anand Bhawan was the ancestral home of Jawaharlal Nehru. It was constructed by Indian Political Leader Motilal Nehru to serve as the residence of the Nehru and daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, donated Anand Bhawan to the Indian government in the year 1970 that was later converted into a museum on her behest.
The main building houses the museum that displays the memorabilia of the Nehru family. The most interesting part of the museum is Nehru’s bedroom and study. There is a room specially dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, father of the Nation, where he used to stay during his visits. There is a room dedicated to Indira Gandhi as well that houses many of her belongings. Open: 9.30 am to 05.00 pm. Except Mondays.
Jawaharlal Planetarium, the famous planetarium is situated here, which has been striving to inculcate scientific temper among masses though its sky show on astronomy and science.
Explore Prayagraj Through Heritage Walk
Bhardwaj Rishi also spelled Bhardwaj was one of the greatest Hindu sages (Maharshi) descendant of Rishi Angirasa, Whose accomplishments are detailed in the Puranas. He is one of the Saptarshis (Seven Great Sages Rishi) in the present Manvantara; with others being Atri, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Gautama, Jamdagni, Kashyapa.
Brahaspatya is the progenitor of the Bharadwaj Family and the family is attributed as the Bharadwaj Family book as all its 75 hymns are composed by a member of this family over several centuries. He is belived to be a contemporary of King Bharta. Bhardwaj and his descendants were respected and powerful priests/rishis of several clans/dynasties of the Puru tribe, such as the Bharatas and the Panchalas. Bhardwaj Maharishi was saga of the Vedic times. He was the son of Brihaspati. He attained extraordinary scholarship. He had the great power of meditation. He is also the author of Ayurveda. His Ashram still exists at the holy Prayagraj.
