ALLAHABAD – KUMBHA MELA – THE EXPERIENCE OF LIFE TIME BEGINS HERE.

PARAMHANSA YOGANANDA " AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY A YOGI "

Allahabad or Illahabad as the name given by Emperor Akber the Great Mogul who founded the city in 1853, has a history of not years but years when life emerged on earth.
The ancient name is Prayaga meant “place of sacrifice” which Lord Brahma gave when he created the world and offered his sacrifice here.
Allahabad is best know for Kumbha Melas, the venue when saints, sadhus gather here to take bath in the holy rivers of Ganga and Yamuna. Allahabad is a most important place to be visited by Hindus, a must for any Indian during his lifetime, since Allahabad is situated at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna.
But this is not a place for Hindus only, now days people from western counties are the frequent visitors who are fascinated by the Indian spiritualism and mythology. The saints and sadhus give their lifetime preaching here for Samadhi (withdrawal of Soul from Body)
Mark Twain who visited the Kumbha Mela in 1895 has noted “…. it is beyond the imagianation of our kind of people, the cold whites,,,,,,,)
In fact if one is seriously interested in seeking HIM, then a dialogue with a sadhu or saint who come here only once in 12 years, shall be a very rich experience.
This is the place where famous Paramhansa Yogananda the author of the famous book “ An Autobiography of a Yogi” met his Guru Mahavatara Babaji in a Kumbha Mela.
But Allahabad is famous for yet another thing, it has given 7 Prime Ministers to India, some of them were either born in Allahabad, or were students of Allahabad University or were elected from Allahabad Constituency.
It was from Allahabad that Prince Salim revolted against Akber and held the parallel court, he was later declared the Emperor by Akber , The Great.
Allahabad is directly linked by air to Delhi and other major cities of India, and it is the Head Quarter of Northern Indian Railways.
Flocked by Indian and western all round the year, Allahabad has number of hotels of four and five stars, and hotels for economical budgeted.