Allahabad and Lucknow

---

About Allahabad
Located about 128 kms from Varanasi at the confluence (Sangam) of three sacred rivers namely Ganga, Yamuna and the mythological Saraswati. Allahabad is one of the ancient and oldest cities of India and a pilgrimage centre, which is visited by tourists round the year because of its paramount significance and also due to the famous Kumbh Mela and Ardh Kumbh Melas held every twelve and six years respectively. According to the evidence and the Vedas and the grand epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as also in the Puranas, it is known that Allahabad was earlier called 'Prayag'.

How to Reach
Air:Nearest Airports at Varanasi (147 kms.) and Lucknow (210 kms)
Rail: The city has direct rail connections with important cities viz. Calcutta, Delhi, Patna, Guwahati, Chennai, Mumbai, Gwalior, Meerut, Lucknow, Kanpur and Varanasi.
Road:Agra - 0433 kms, Kanpur - 0200 kms, Ahmedabad - 1207 kms, Delhi - 0643 kms, Udaipur - 0956 kms, Hyderabad - 1086 kms, Varanasi - 0125 kms.

Tourist Places

Sangam
Sangam is the holy place where the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the Saraswati merge together to be one. It offers facinating view at sunrise and sunset. It is believed that at Sanagam, a few drops of nector had fallen here, at the time of tug of war between Gods and demons for the ‘Amrit Kalash’ (Pot of Nectar). The place visited by millions, from all across the country, at the time of the Kumbh Mela and the Ardh Kumbh, attracting millions of devotees.

Hanuman Temple
The Hanuman Temple is located near by Sangam and here in this temple is one of the largest and inimitable reclining images of Lord Hanuman. It is believed that the river Ganga rises and touches the feet of the Lord Hanuman before withdrawing itself, at the time of floods, which happen annually.

Other Places
Allahabad Fort, Jawahar Planetarium, All Saints Cathedral, High Court, Swaraj Bhawan, Anand Bhawan


Lucknow
Lucknow known as the land of rich culture and traditions, magnificent palaces and parks, opulent gardens and intricate architectural monuments, melodious music and rhythmic dances, pretentious dramas and thoughtful poetry. The land has bestowed us with many great scholars and poets. Lucknow is also well known for its silk, perfumes, jewelry, chikan work embroidery, mouth-watering cuisines and nawabi etiquettes.

The river Gomti flows through the city, dividing it into the trans-gomti and
cis-gomti regions Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh was known as Awadh in the ancient times and has been one of the most important centres of Muslim cultural influence in South Asia. With a strong history and rich heritage Lucknow has still been able to adapt to the changing times and move ahead with the modern era, maintaining a perfect balance.

How to Reach
Air: Lucknow airport is at Amausi, located about 15 km from the city center.
Rail: Lucknow has two main rail junctions- Charbagh and Lucknow.
Road: The distance between Lucknow and other prominent cities are: Delhi (497km), Agra (363km), Allahabad (238 km), Dehradun (582km), Kanpur (77km) and Varanasi (300km).

Tourist Attractions

Mubarak Mahal
Mubarak Mahal is located in the mausoleum Shah Najaf Imambara where the remains of Ghazi-ud-din Haider and his wives, including Mubarak Mahal who was his European wife are buried. At the entrance, is a beautiful garden which leads to the silver tomb of Ghazi-ud-din Haider which lies in the centre of the building and is flanked by the magnificent silver and gold tomb of Mubarak Mahal on one side, and another tomb on the other side.

Hussainabad Imambara
Built by Muhammad Ali Shah in 1837, Hussainabad Imambara is also known as the Chota, or small Imambara. The main structure of the Imambara has numerous minarets and domes -- the main one is made in gold. The large courtyard includes a raised rectangular tank with small imitations of the Taj Mahal on each side. Inside are the tombs of Ali Shah and his mother. The nawab's silver throne and other paraphernalia of state are here.

Bari Jama Masjid
The Bari Jama Masjid has been constructed magnificently with its two minarets and three domes. It lies on the west of the Hussainabad Imambara and the construction was started by Muhammad Ali Shah but got accomplished after his death. This is one of the few mosques in India that is not open for the Non-Muslims.

Moti Mahal
On the periphery of the Gomti, the three beautiful structures have been constructed
one of them being Moti Mahal or the Palace of Pearls was constructed by Nawab Saadat Ali Khan. Ghazi-ud-din Haider erected the other two buildings - the Shah Manzil and the Mubarak Manzil, much later to add to the beauty of the complex. The Nawabs used these buildings to watch the birds and animal.

Asafi Mosque
Within the complex of the Bada Imambara (Built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula in 1784 and is one of the architectural highlights of the era) is a grand Asafi mosque. It is located on the right side of the courtyard and is built on a two-storeyed plinth with two minarets. The mosque is closed to non-Muslims.

Other Places: Bada Imambada, Rumi Darwaza, Lucknow Residency, Picture Gallery and Banarsi Bagh.