In a world marked by the hustle of modernity, few events hold the power to bring millions together in pursuit of something greater than themselves.
Kumbh Mela, the world’s largest peaceful gathering, draws millions of pilgrims who bathe in sacred rivers seeking to purify themselves from sins and attain spiritual liberation. As pilgrims prepare for their journey to Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26, they will not only engage in a series of spiritual rituals but also embark on an odyssey that transcends physical, cultural, and even spiritual boundaries.
Major Attractions
Sangam
At the heart of Prayagraj lies the revered Triveni Sangam, where the three holy rivers meet, it is an absolute must-visit for anyone attending the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. It is a sacred significance as the confluence point of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, making it one of the pivotal destinations.
Shri Lete hue Hanumanji Temple
It is also known as BADE HANUMAN JI temple located in vicinity of Daraganj. The distance from Prayagraj sangam railway station is around 1.5Kms. It is said that Saint Samarth Guru Ramdasji had established the idol of Lord Hanuman Here. The idols of Shiva-Parvati, Ganesh, Bhairav, Durga, Kali and Navgrah are also enshrined in the premises of the temple. Nearby are Shri Ram-Janki temples and Harit Madhava temple is located.
Akshayvat & Patalpuri Temple
Amongst numerous Hindu pilgrimage sites in Prayagraj, Patalpuri Temple is considered to be the holiest shrine in the city. Located within the complex of Prayagraj Fort, earlier Allahabad Fort, Patalpuri is an underground temple which has great religious significance. As per the folklore, the temple was visited by Lord Rama. It is also believed that this popular shrine in Prayagraj was also visited by Hiuen Tsang – a Chinese traveller and writer.
The temple complex includes one of the oldest trees of the country – Akshaya Vat “the indestructible Banyan tree”. It is a sacred fig tree that has its mention in Hindu mythology. The legend has it, there was a time when Lord Narayana, for a moment, flooded the entire universe when he was questioned about his divine power by a sage called Markandeya. During this entire scene, the tree of Akshaya Vat was the only thing on the earth that was seen above water level.
Saraswati Koop
This is a covered saraswati koop inside the Akshyavat Temple Patalpuri located within Akbar Fort. The Saraswati Koop refurbishment for the done Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. As you enter the underground temple and go to the other side of the entrance, you will be able to see the circular marking on the floor which reads ‘Saraswati koop (well) closed off by Mughals’. There is a place to sit and meditate. You can go into meditative states here effortlessly.
Mankameshwar Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mankameshwar Temple is situated on the banks of the Yamuna River,near minto park in Prayagraj which makes it a temple of immense religious importance. It is located very close to Saraswati Ghat which is a famous bathing ghat in Prayagraj. It has a black stone lingam and statues of Ganesh and Nandi. There is a grand statue of Hanuman and an ancient peepal tree near the temple.
Maharshi Bharadwaj Ashram
The Bharadwaj Ashram in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh is well-connected by road and has regular buses. The ashram is located in the Colonelganj area, near Swaraj Bhawan Road and George Town.
Bharadwaj Ashram in Prayagraj is symbolic of the continuum of Hindu culture and civilisation since ages. During the time of Lord Ram, the Ganga is believed to have flown next to it. Hindus believe that Lord Ram met the sage and had a significant dialogue with him here. As per Hindu religious texts, Maharshi Bharadwaj was a repository of knowledge about Vedas, Puranas, Ayurveda, ‘Dhanurveda’ and ‘Vimana Shastra’. His Gurukul was also a great centre of learning and education.
Maharshi Bhardwaj’s Ashram corridor has constructed for Mahakumbh-2025. This corridor encompasses 11 temples located around the ashram and promises to transform the sage’s abode into a major tourist attraction of the region. These temples include Maharshi Bhardwaj Muni Temple, Vyas Muni Temple, Rishi Yagyavalkya temple, Satyanarayan temple, Siddhnath Mahadev, Prayagraj temple, Bhola Bhandari temple, Panchmukhi temple, Shiv temple, Tripurari Mahadev and Navgreh temple.
Other Major attractions in Prayagraj
Swaraj Bhawan Prayagraj
Earlier known as Anand Bhavan, the Swaraj Bhawan is the ancestral home of the Nehru Family and is also the place where the former and the only female Prime Minister of India – Late Indira Gandhi was born. In the early 19th century, the historical house was owned by Moti Lal Nehru. In the year 1930, he donated this huge mansion to the nation to be used as the headquarters of Congress Committee. Today, it serves as one of the prime tourist attractions in Prayagraj and houses the Jawahar Planetarium.
Minto Park Prayagraj
A delight for every nature lover, Mintor Park in Prayagraj is located on the bank of Yamuna River. Also known as Madan Mohan Malviya Park, this must-see attraction is named after Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya – a renowned educationist and politician who is also known for his contribution towards India’s freedom struggle. The name ‘Minto Park’ is named after Earl of Minto who constructed a memorial with a four-lion symbol in 1990. This symbol is one of the key attraction of this popular tourist place in Prayagraj.
Apart from being a popular sightseeing place in Prayagraj, the park also serves as an important historical site in the city. It is the place where the declaration of Queen Victoria’s proclamation was read out by Earl Canning in the year 1858. At present, the park serves as one of the ideal places in Prayagraj for the people of the city to spend a day with friends and family.
Ganga Gallery Prayagraj
One of the recent additions in the tourism scene of Prayagraj, Ganga Gallery was founded on 15th April 2011. The main motive of creating this place to visit in the city was to raise awareness amongst the people regarding the restoration and conservation of River Ganges. The gallery was established by National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) who have ensured to highlight the economic, cultural, socio-scientific related and religious aspects of the Ganga River.
It was the unique idea of Prof. MGK Menon along with Dr. Manju Sharma and Prof. M.S. Swaminathan to establish Ganga Gallery. With the support of National Council of Science Museum along with the Department of Science and Technology, this unique gallery/museum in Prayagraj houses scientifically installed exhibits that proffer an aesthetic view of all the aspects of River Ganga.
Prayagraj Museum
With its diverse and remarkable collection, Prayagraj Museum in the holy city of Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh is a must-see for people of all ages. It is situated inside the complex of Chandra Shekhar Azad Park; this popular museum dates back to 1931. On the display of museum, a rich assortment of paintings, artifacts and photographs are major attractions. Along with that there are separate galleries that dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru as well as Nehru’s original manuscript-‘In and Out of Prison’. Inside the Mahatma Gandhi gallery, his photographs are displays that give tourists an insight into his life from childhood to death. Gandhi Smriti Vahan, a vehicle on which the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed in Triveni Sangam, is also kept on display. And also this renowned tourist site in Prayagraj has a repository of various sculptures that trace their history back to the Gupta period.