Places to visit in Prayagraj
The Sangam and the temples by the rivers, the city of the freedom movement, and the banks across the water.
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Prayagraj beyond the Sangam
The Sangam is the heart of any visit, but the city around it holds temples by the river, a Mughal garden, the homes of the freedom movement, and two historic banks across the water.
| Area | Highlights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| By the rivers | Sangam, Akshayavat, Bade Hanuman, Shankar Viman Mandapam | A full day |
| The city | Anand Bhawan, Khusro Bagh, the museum, All Saints Cathedral | Half to full day |
| Across the rivers | Jhusi and Arail | A few hours |
| Day trips | Shringverpur, Varanasi, Chitrakoot | A day each |
By the rivers
Around the Sangam and the fort
Triveni Sangam
East tip of the city · By boat
The reason for the journey. Take a boat out at dawn, when the light is soft and the water is calm. Our Sangam guide covers boats, bathing and what to expect.
Akshayavat & Patalpuri
Inside the fort · Beside the Sangam
The 'undying' banyan tree of Prayag and the underground Patalpuri temple, reached through the fort that Akbar rebuilt in 1583. Much of the fort is still in army use, so only this part is open.
Bade Hanuman Temple
Beside the fort · ~1 km from the Sangam
A temple with a large reclining image of Hanuman, set below ground level. When the rivers are high in the monsoon, the Ganga enters the shrine — locally taken as the river coming to touch Hanuman.
Shankar Viman Mandapam
Ganga bank, north of the Sangam · Walkable from Daraganj
A 130-foot, four-storey temple in South Indian style built in memory of Adi Shankaracharya. Climb up for one of the best views over the Mela ground and the Sangam.
Alopi Devi Temple
Alopibagh · Near the Sangam
A temple where there is no idol — devotees worship a wooden doli (palanquin), tied to a local story of a bride who vanished from hers.
Nag Vasuki Temple
Daraganj, on the Ganga · ~2 km from the Sangam
An old temple to Vasuki, king of serpents, on the high bank above the Ganga. Especially busy on Nag Panchami.
The city
Civil Lines, George Town and the old centre
Anand Bhawan & Swaraj Bhawan
George Town · ~6 km from the Sangam
The Nehru family homes, now museums of the freedom movement. The Jawahar Planetarium is next door.
Khusro Bagh
Near Prayagraj Junction · ~7 km
A walled Mughal garden holding the sandstone tombs of Prince Khusrau, his mother Shah Begum and his sister — one of the finest Mughal sites in the region, and quiet.
Allahabad Museum & Chandrashekhar Azad Park
Civil Lines · ~6 km
The city's big central park, with the museum inside it: sculpture, terracottas and freedom-movement collections.
All Saints Cathedral
Civil Lines · Centre of Civil Lines
A Gothic Revival cathedral from the late 19th century, still in use, at the roundabout that anchors Civil Lines.
Allahabad University
University area · ~5 km
One of India's oldest modern universities, with grand Indo-Saracenic buildings worth a walk past.
Across the water
The far banks
Jhusi
East bank of the Ganga · Across the Shastri Bridge
The ancient settlement across the river, often identified with Pratishthanpur, with old mounds, ashrams and the Mela camps of the east bank.
Arail
South bank of the Yamuna · Across the Naini Bridge
The quieter bank facing the fort, with ashrams and river views back towards the Sangam.
Day trips
Worth the drive from Prayagraj
| Place | From Prayagraj | What it is | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shringverpur | ~40 km | Where Rama is said to have crossed the Ganga with the help of Nishadraj | Half day |
| Kaushambi | ~60 km | Ruins of an ancient city, with an Ashokan pillar and Buddhist sites | Half day |
| Vindhyachal | ~85 km | The Vindhyavasini Devi temple on the Ganga | Full day |
| Varanasi | ~125 km | The ghats and temples of Kashi | Full day or overnight |
| Chitrakoot | ~130 km | Hill town on the Mandakini closely tied to the Ramayana | Full day or overnight |
Approximate road distances.
A simple plan
Suggested order for three days
Day 1 — The rivers
Dawn boat to the Sangam, then Akshayavat and Patalpuri, Bade Hanuman and Alopi Devi. Sunset from Shankar Viman Mandapam.
Day 2 — The city
Anand Bhawan and the planetarium, the museum and Azad Park, then Khusro Bagh in the afternoon light.
Day 3 — Out of town
Shringverpur and back in half a day, or a full day to Varanasi or Chitrakoot.
Worth knowing
In a Mela year
During the Kumbh and Magh Mela, roads near the Sangam are closed to traffic and the Mela ground itself is the main sight. Do the city side on days between the big bathing dates.
Keep exploring
Continue exploring
Prayagraj overview
The city's layout, areas and climate.
Ghats of Prayagraj
Every ghat on the Ganga and Yamuna.
Prayagraj Mela area
How the Mela ground is laid out.
Questions
Frequently asked
The Triveni Sangam, Akshayavat inside the fort, Bade Hanuman temple, Shankar Viman Mandapam, Anand Bhawan and Khusro Bagh.
Much of it is in army use. The Akshayavat and Patalpuri temple inside it are the parts pilgrims visit.
It has a large reclining image of Hanuman below ground level, which the Ganga's floodwater reaches in the monsoon.
A walled Mughal garden near Prayagraj Junction with the tombs of Prince Khusrau, his mother and his sister.
Yes, it's about 125 km away — a long but manageable day trip.
From the upper floors of Shankar Viman Mandapam, on the Ganga bank north of the Sangam.