Allahabad - Prayagraj- Prayag , India

entral role in Hindu scriptures. Prayagraj has been a political, cultural and administrative centre of the Doab region. Mughal emperor Akbar renamed it Ilahabad, which the British changed to Allahabad.It is the city where much of the history of India’s independence was planned and written. It was Nehru’s ancestral home –Anand Bhawan- where the leaders of India’s freedom movement congregated and charted the course toward independence. It is the place where Chandershekhar Azad breathed his last unwilling to submit himself to slavery of the colonial regime. ‘Prayag’ meaning ‘place of sacrifice’ it was so rightly named. Prayagraj is known for education since eons. Allahabad University established in 1887 is one of India’s oldest universities (now being the Central University) and has earned the epithet of ‘Oxford of the east’. Besides there are three deemed universities (including my Alma mater), an open university, research and technical institutions and colleges known for providing higher education in vast range of disciplines. This attracts thousands of students and learners from all over country every year turning this city into an education hub. Allahabad is better known as a ‘factory’ of producing adept engineers, doctors, advocates, judges, IAS/PCS officers and even musicians and writers.During the festivals of Magh mela/Kumbh mela thousands of devout from all over the world(including the young, the old and the weak) gather here (through incredible journeys)to take a dip at Sangam making it an extravagant affair of the land. There is a surreal spiritualism in the air all through the fest. It is believed that it is at the Sangam, that a few drops of the nectar 'Amrit Bindu' fell, making its waters truly magical. In Allahabad religions truly embrace each other. A Hindu guy helps his Christian neighbor in decorating the X-mas tree. A Muslim guy does not mind selling colors/crackers in his shop. And a Christian guy bows equally before the temples and mosques. Allahabadis celebrate each and every festival with utmost zeal and enthusiasm-be it Ramlila’s at Dussehra or kapda-faad holi. The gusto is so very lively,always! Allahabad has its own nuanced culture – that of extreme politeness, graciousness and righteousness. You’ll be swayed by the hospitality offered here irrespective of you being a Punjabi or Marathi. People put relationships before the product, and take time to recognize the human in the other before the ego in the self. The amiability of ‘aap’ and ‘hum’ is way too winsome. The tu/tera slang isn’t our code of conduct until and unless you mess up. ‘Ram-Ram bhaiya’ is an allahabadi’s way of greeting. So godly, no? Allahabad looks like an old decrepit city. Its foundations are nonetheless very strong. You’ll have to dig deep to get to the implicit beauty of the city. It might not have exotic locations but people are just so beautiful (beautiful you know?) and in its narrow lanes they often cultivate broad-mindedness. Too wise yet too innocent
Too simple,yet too appealing
Too ignorant yet too knowledgeable
Too dabangg yet too sensitive
Too different yet too similar
........................................are Allahabadis! Proud to be a one! Kuch baat hai ki hasti mit-ti nahi hamari....................................................

A strange calmness envelopes the city when sun rays fall on to it's holy waters. I bet Allahabad’s quiet and peaceful life will leave you mesmerized in an unusual way.