Allahabad - 2010
In ancient times, Allahabad was known as Prayag (place of the confluences).
According to Hindu religious texts, it is believed to be the where Brahma,
the Hindu Creator of the Universe, attended a sacrificial ritual
Saagam, the confluence of three rivers - the Ganga (Ganges), the Yamuna,
and the mythical river of enlightment, the Sarasvati.
All year round pilgrims row boats out to this famous spot but their numbers increase dramatically
during the annual Magh Mela, a 6-week festival in March.
Every 12 years the massive Kumbh Mela takes place attracting millions of people.
In the early 1950s, 350 pilgrims were killed in a stampede to the soul-cleansing waters.
The last Kumbh Mela in 2007 attracted more than 700 million people, the largest ever human gathering. The next Kumbh Mela will be held in 2013.
????
In ancient times, Allahabad was known as Prayag (place of the confluences).
According to Hindu religious texts, it is believed to be the where Brahma,
the Hindu Creator of the Universe, attended a sacrificial ritual
Jawaharlal
Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India in 1947, lived here.
His father, Motilal Nehru, was also a prominent barrister and
politician.
Nehru's
daughter, Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi, also a former Prime
minister, was born and married here.
Anand
Bhawan, the Nehru family house.
Many discussions about India becoming independent from Britain took
place here.
Saagam, the confluence of three rivers - the Ganga (Ganges), the Yamuna,
and the mythical river of enlightment, the Sarasvati.
All year round pilgrims row boats out to this famous spot but their numbers increase dramatically
during the annual Magh Mela, a 6-week festival in March.
Every 12 years the massive Kumbh Mela takes place attracting millions of people.
In the early 1950s, 350 pilgrims were killed in a stampede to the soul-cleansing waters.
The last Kumbh Mela in 2007 attracted more than 700 million people, the largest ever human gathering. The next Kumbh Mela will be held in 2013.
????
