Travel Guide
Prayagraj travel guide
Triveni Sangam where Ganga-Yamuna-Saraswati converge, Kumbh Mela draws 100+ million pilgrims, and Allahabad's spiritual significance defines Hindu cosmology.
Language
Hindi, Urdu, English
Currency
INR
Timezone
IST (UTC+5:30)
Best time
Oct-Mar (check Kumbh dates)
Budget/day
$25-50
When to visit
Jan
8 to 22°C
Feb
11 to 26°C
Mar
17 to 33°C
Apr
23 to 40°C
May
28 to 44°C
Jun
29 to 42°C
Jul
27 to 35°C
Aug
26 to 33°C
Sep
26 to 33°C
Oct
21 to 33°C
Nov
14 to 29°C
Dec
9 to 24°C
Safety
Low RiskSafe pilgrimage city. EXTREME crowds during Kumbh/Magh Mela.
Women travellers
Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) is a major pilgrimage city at the Triveni Sangam — the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers. Moderate safety for solo women. Civil Lines area and the university area are manageable. Avoid crowded ghats and the mela grounds alone after dark. During Kumbh Mela, the city sees 50-100 million pilgrims — exercise extreme caution in crowds.
Culture & etiquette
- + Triveni Sangam boat ride—sacred confluence bathing
- + KUMBH MELA every 12 years—largest gathering on Earth
- + Magh Mela annually Jan-Feb—lakhs attend
- + Anand Bhawan—Nehru family home museum
- - Don't commit to a boat price before asking for a written rate slip or confirming at the official ghat booth
- - Don't attempt to navigate the Kumbh Mela grounds alone during the mega-bathing days without a guide
- - Don't touch anyone's head
- - Don't point feet at people or religious objects
Food to try
Aloo puri
Varanasi and North India's classic—freshly fried light puffed breads served with mildly spiced potato sabzi; the combination is eaten at breakfast and as a temple or ghat snack; the kachori stalls along Dashashwamedh serve thousands before 9am
Chaat
Delhi's elaborate street food culture—crispy puri baskets filled with potato, yogurt, tamarind chutney and coriander; tangy, sweet and spicy in one mouthful; Chandni Chowk, Bengali Market and Lajpat Nagar are the city's great chaat battlegrounds
Kachori sabzi
Varanasi's essential breakfast—deep-fried puffed kachoris with a thin, sour-spiced vegetable sabzi; served on a leaf plate alongside aloo ki sabzi; the morning kachori stalls on the street leading to Dashashwamedh Ghat feed thousands before dawn
Lassi
Punjab's legendary yogurt drink—churned with sugar or salt, topped with a thick layer of cream and sometimes kesar (saffron) or rose petals; Amritsar and Ludhiana versions are poured into clay kulhads; heavy enough to be a meal in the summer heat
Petha
See Petha (sweet gourd)—Agras translucent candied ash gourd; the sweet capital's identity product and the only souvenir from Agra outside the Taj Mahal miniatures; the angoori (grape-flavored) and chocolate variety make excellent gifts
Hidden gems
Details are indicative and may change. Verify visa, safety, and entry requirements before travel.