From the Rig Veda period, Prayag has always been a great pilgrimage for all. The reason behind this feeling mainly is the confluence of holy rivers Yamuna, Ganga and Saraswati. It is often believed that one, who breathes his last at this Sangam, attains salvation and need not get birth again. He is freed from the worldly affairs. Not only it is the human belief but every holy book from the yesteryears like Mahabharat, Padam Puran, Agnipuran and Surya Puran consider Prayag as a holy destination. It is also written that in 450 BC Gautam Buddha visited this destination.
With such religious references and strong human belief Prayag today has turned in to a religious spot with many popular temples and holy shrine of God. These are a place of worship along with a popular tourist destination for the travellers.
Bhardwaj Ashram
Located in the Colonelganj locality this is Bharwaj Ashram near Anand Bhavan Allahabad. Being the first patron of Ayurveda, Maharshi Bharadwaj was a disciple of Valmiki. The ashram is the home for more than a hundred God statues which include Ram, Laxman, Sheshnag, Surya and many others. A Shivling of Bhardwajeshwar Mahadev was also established here. However this is majorly a Lord Shiva temple along with other Gods and Goddesses. Previously the area was quite a big one with a huge temple but due to several disputes the area has been shortened.
Address: Colonelganj, Colnel Ganj, George Town, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211002
Timings: 5am to 10pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Akshay Vat
Located inside the Agra fort on the banks of Yamuna this is an eternal truth that remains not destroyable as claimed by Legends. It is believed that one who shreds his life at the base of this tree receives freedom from worldly affairs and does not have to take re birth again. Though the boundary of the Fort remains at a distance of 15 feet from the tree its branches reaches the Yamuna river. In the year 1992, the base of the tree was bounded by marbles and in the year 1999 a simple temple was built of Ram Laxman and Sita. The Akshaya Vat is an eternal tree and many come here to worship before the temple. This place is also much believed by the Jains. However, special permission from Army is required to visit the place.
Address: Baand Marg, Allahabad fort, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211005
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Nag Vasuki Temple
Located in the northern side of Sangam, lies this beautiful temple of Nag Raj, on the banks of River Ganga. In this temple there is a reclining statute of Bhisma from Hindu epic Mahabharata. There is a temple of Lord Shiva too. A huge fair takes place before this temple on the Nag Panchami.
Address: Daraganj, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211006
Timings: 6am to 10pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Mankameshwar Temple
Based on western side of Allahabad Fort, near Minto Park this is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva , Lord Ganesh and Nandi. There a peepal tree which is many years old and has a large Hanuman statue before it. There are other statues also in this temple and a lot of visitors’ crowd the temple premises on festival days.
Address: Located on Mankameshwar ghat at a distance of 8km from Railway station
Timings: 6am to 9pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Padila Mahadev
Consisting of several statues this particular temple is made of stone. Located on the north east of Phaphamau this is a simple temple which becomes much popular in the Phalguna month at the time of Shivratri.
Address: Near CRPF camp, Phaphamau Allahabad, 10km from Allahabad city.
Timings: 5am to 10pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Lalita Devi Temple
Situated at a height of 108 feet above the base level this particular temple is located in Mirapur. Many statues adorn the temple with a peepal tree in the compound. There is 51 Siddha Shaktipeeth in the country of which Lalita Devi Temple is one of them.
Address: Meerapur, 60 Feet Rd, Katehra Dariyabad, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211003
Timings: 6am to 10pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Lakshagriha
Situated at the banks of Ganga, at a distance of 6km from Handia on the southern this is an ancient location worshipped by the Hindus. It is believed that this was originally a trap organized by Duryodhan from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, to frame the Pandavas who luckily escaped through a secret door. This is a sacred place and it is worshipped that way.
Address: Kandala Mavaia, Uttar Pradesh 221503 (47km from Allahabad)
Timings: 6am to 10pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Alopi Devi Temple
Situated on the western side of Daraganj this is a historical temple in Alopibagh. The temple at the center has a round platform covered with a cloth underneath which there is a small cot. It is a temple of Lord Shiva with a Shivling based here. It is believed to be one of the Shaktipeeth which is associated with lot of blessings. During the Navatri a huge celebration is arranged here.
Address: Matiyara Rd, Alopi Bagh, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211006
Timings: 4am to 10pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Takshakeshwar Nath
Based on the south of Allahabad city on the Yamuna Bank lies the beautiful temple of Takshakeshwar Lord Shankar. Situated in Daryabad locality this temple has many stories behind its existence. It is said to be the shelter area of the serpent Takshak who was hounded by Lord Krishna from Mathura. There is also a Takshak kund nearby. This place has many statues of various Gods and Goddesses.
Address: Daryabad Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211005
Timings: 6am to 11pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Someshwar Temple
Built below the base or ground level this is a unique temple inside Allahabad fort at the banks of Yamuna river. This temple has 44 idols of various Gods and Goddesses with some idols dating as old as 17th or 18th century. It is believed that parts of this temple got renovated after the initiative taken by Bajirao Peshwa in 1735. This is mainly a temple of Lord Shiva whose Shivling lies in the center.
Address: Arail, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211008
Timings: 6am to 10pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Kalyani Devi
On the banks of Yamuna river lies the temple of Goddess Kalyani Devi. There are many statues of Gods and Goddesses here with Lord Shankar.Address: Kalyani Devi area, Allahabad, UttarPradesh 211003
Timings: 5am to 11pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Shivkuti
Shivkuti temple and ashram is situated on the northern side of Allahabad. This temple is based on the banks of Ganga River and was built in the year 1948. It has Laxmi Narayan temple as well as Durga Temple with idols made of marble. In the month of Shravan, huge celebration is done here.
Address: Shiv Koti near Rambaag, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211003
Timings: 5am to 11pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Hatkeshwar Nath Temple
Situated on the heart of the city on Zero road lies the temple of Lord Hatkeshwar Shiv. The temple has beautiful carvings and it is well decorated with many other idols in it.
Address: Zero Road, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh 211003
Timings: 6am to 9pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Veni Madhav Temple
Located in the Daraganj locality this is another beautiful temple of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. It is true that Allahabad have 12 Madhav deities but since this temple is close to Sangam it has special significance and it attracts more and more devotees.
Address: Bai Ka Bagh, Rambagh, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh-211005
Timings: 5am to 11pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Prabhas Giri
Situated in the Kaushambi district, 50km north of Allahabad this temple lies in Manjhanpr tehsil. This place was once the capital of the famous Vatsa Empire. Since there was a big Jain temple here it is a very pious place and a holy shrine for the Jain community. As of Hindus they believe that Lord Krishna left his earthly life at this place after being hit by an arrow. However the place is under the protection of Archeological Survey of India.
Kali Bari
Located on the Mutthiganj area this temple is a fascinating temple with a awes trucking idol of the Goddess Kali. Other Idols in the temple include Lord Shiva, Lord Satyanaryana, Lord Ganesh, Lord Hanuman and Shanidev. The temple is well decorated but it becomes more beautiful during the festival of Goddess Kali in the month of November.
Address: Mutthiganj, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Timings: 6am to 12pm and 5pm to 10pm
Best time to visit: Anytime throughout the year
Apart from this there are various small temples in and around Allahabad like Loknath temple, Patthar Shivala temple, Shankar temple Mahuwan and Durvasa Ashram. However all temples are beautiful and a must visit place for all.
