Day 236 of Indian places giving smiles – the city at the confluence of Rivers Allahabad
As a 13 year old teenager in 1976, I remember that Allahabad was the first city in my life where we hired a cycle rickshaw to show us all the sight-seeing spots. It was originally called Prayag and was renamed by the Mughal King Akbar during his rule. It is considered to be a sacred place for Hindus as it is the place of the confluence of the three rivers – Ganga, Jamuna and the mythological Saraswati!
Our first stop was in the middle of the water at the Triveni Sangam. I was confused about how the Saraswati river was no longer present. And I was extremely apprehensive about disrobing in public for the first time in my sheltered teenage life. I still remember my awkwardness as I took a complete dip and shivered in my white petticoat in the cold waters of the holy Sangam. Millions of devotees gather on the banks of the river for the ritualistic purification bath, devotional songs and religious discourses that are held during the Purna Kumbh Mela festival that occurs every twelve years at Allahabad.
This is also called the city of Prime Ministers, because 7 of the first 13 prime ministers of India were closely associated with this city. We started our day by visiting the Nehru family home called Anand Bhavan. We walked past the rooms where Panditji had actually lived and which were still depicted in the same way as from those times. I read the notes below the many photos in the gallery which gave me an idea about the number of important Congress meetings that were held within these walls. I saw the podium where the then Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi had actually got married. I imagined what it must be like to grow up in such a sprawling ancestral bungalow and always be surrounded with powerful politicians. No wonder that this house has produced five generations of political leaders!
As we walked past the majestic and old Allahabad High court, I marveled at the fact that we were in one of the oldest cities of India as a mention of this place was even made during the Vedic ages. There is so much about our country that continues to keep fascinating me.
So which Indian city gave you smiles?
Please share your experience of an Indian city that gave you smiles
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