Planning a visit to the 44 day long annual Magh Mela in Allahabad? The yearly fair attracts crowd from all over the country and is popular across the globe. The festival holds religious importance among Hindus. If you are planning to visit Allahabad to be a part of the Magh Mela, there are numerous things you can do in the city on the sidelines of the popular festival. We bring you eight things you must do on your visit to the Sangam city.
Ganga Aarti
No matter what part of the city you plan to explore, make sure you are at the Sangam during the evening hours to witness the holy Ganga Aarti performed by priests. The Aarti takes place on the banks of the Ganges. The sight will leave you awestruck. Also, not to miss is the lighting of the area after the sunset.
Allahabad Museum
Right from the paintings of the Bengal School of Art to the ancient sculpture from Mathura, the Allahabad Museum has it all. Other popular artifacts include the 'Gandhi Smrithi Vatan, Chandra Shekhar Azad's .32 bore colt pistol, and manuscripts by popular Hindi authors. The historical location on the very spot where Azad shot himself road makes it a must visit place.
Anand Bhawan
While you are in Allahabad, make sure visit the birthplace of Chacha Nehru. Once home to Indira Gandhi, the place was transformed into a museum later, which now comprises memories of the Nehru clan. The highlight among the chronicles is Nehru's study and bedroom. Also, rooms dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi should not be missed.
Street Food
Dahi Jalebi, Hari ke masala samose, Sainik ke chhole samose, Netram ki Kachori Sabzi, Bhagwaandaas ke motichoor ke laddoo, Raja raam ki rabri aur kulfi and many other street food corners will take you on a gastronomical adventure like never before. Still hungry? Make sure you keep the Allahabadi Churmura handy to keep munching all day. When it comes to toothsome street food, Allahabad will not disappoint you.
Sleeping Hanuman
The Hanuman Temple in Allahabad is one of the only three places in the country where a big red statue of Hanuman is a few feet below the ground, in a sleeping posture. It is believed that the river Ganges floods till the time it reaches Hanuman's feet and recedes thereafter.
Undying Banyan Tree
The Akshay Vat or the immortal banyan tree is located within the Patalpuri Temple. The temple is situated very close to the Sangam. The tree has been there for thousands of years and is believed to be immortal according to the Hindu Mythology. This is also the place where Lord Rama supposedly performed the last rites of his parents.
Naga Sadhus
If this is your very first visit to the Magh Mela, you might be a little surprised to see the Naga Sadhus who are avid worshipers of Lord Shiva. Often called as the ash smeared or naked Hindu, saints usually appear in public during the annual fair. Even when the weather is extremely cold, you will find not one piece of cloth on their bodies but ash.
New Yamuna Bridge
Another major highlight of the city is the first cable stayed six lane road bridge of India, the New Yamuna Bridge. The bridge is built across the Yamuna river connecting Allahabad to Naini. Make sure you drive on the biggest cable stayed bridge in India at night when the entire area is lit up giving it an incredible look.
Go ahead, take a dip in the holy river and wash all your sins away! Hopefully, your visit to the pilgrim city will not be just spiritual, but also a fun filled experience.
