Prayagraj
Ancient holy city at the confluence of three rivers.
Prayagraj, formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Prayagraj district and division, and is the judicial capital of the state, housing the Allahabad High Court. The city lies close to the Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Sarasvati rivers, and plays a central role in Hindu scriptures, being venerated as the holy city of Prayāga in the ancient Vedas. It is also a sacred place for Jains, as their first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, is believed to have attained kevala jnana here.
- population (2011)
- 1.53 million
- state
- Uttar Pradesh, India
- judicial capital
- Allahabad High Court
- known for
- Triveni Sangam, Kumbh Mela, ancient Hindu and Jain significance
- fastest-growing city rank (2011)
- 40th in the world
- most liveable urban agglomeration in sta
- 3rd
Lore & Background
Prayagraj finds its earliest reference as one of the world's oldest known cities in Hindu texts. It was known as Kosambi in the late Vedic period, named by the Kuru rulers of Hastinapura, who developed it as their capital. The city maintained its prominence from the late Vedic period until the end of the Maurya Empire, with occupation continuing until the Gupta Empire. Since then, it has been a political, cultural and administrative centre of the Doab region. The name Allahabad became predominant after Akbar's death, though speculations about its origin exist, including possible Hindu and Muslim interpretations.
Reader's Guide
Prayagraj is an international tourism destination, second in tourist arrivals in Uttar Pradesh after Varanasi. It hosts the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world, which involves major infrastructure development projects. The city's economy was originally built on tourism, but most of its income now derives from real estate and financial services. The city is home to colleges, research institutions, and many central and state government offices, including the High Court of Uttar Pradesh.
Did You Know?
- Prayagraj was known as Purimtal in ancient Jain scriptures and is sacred to Jains as the place where the first Tirthankara, Rishabhanatha, attained kevala jnana.
- The city was the capital of India for a day.
- Prayagraj hosts the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world.
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