Prayagraj, was known as Allahabad, is a district of Uttar Pradesh that is very famous for the pilgrimage site of Hindus. Prayag Asthal is situated at the confluence of two Holy Rivers Of India, Ganga, and the Yamuna. Although the confluence of only two rivers is seen right now. It is mentioned in the texts that here the Saraswati river secretly meets with the Ganges and Yamuna; hence it is also called Triveni or Prayagraj Sangam.
It is very famous for Kumbh Mela because Ardh Kumbh is organized every six years and Kumbh Mela is organized every twelve years. When the fair is organized, crores of devotees from all over the world come to take a dip of faith in this Triveni Prayagraj sangam of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. During the Kumbh Mela, so many devotees came here. At that time, it is called the largest city in the world because the population here is about ten crores. Apart from this, a fair is held here every year during Shivratri, where many devotees come to celebrate this festival. Today is a special and historic day for Prayagraj, famous for religion, faith, and culture.
What is the history behind November 1 of Prayagraj?
On November 1, 1858, Prayagraj had the distinction of becoming the capital of India for one day. The British Raj started on the same day in Prayagraj, formed from the union of Ganga, Jamuna, and Saraswati. The day of November 1 holds great significance for Prayagraj as it reminds it of its glory 163 years ago on this day. Historians believe that it is very important for today’s young generation to be aware of it. Prayagraj still feels proud to be the capital of the country for one day. On November 1, 1858, the power of Prayagraj was transferred from the East India Company to British rule. A witness to this is the Minto Park situated on the banks of the Yamuna. At present, the name of this park is Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Park.
It is about the time when there was a revolution for the country in 1857. The people of India started a revolution in 1857 to throw the East India Company out of their country. People like Rani Laxmibai, Tatya Tope, Veer Kunwar Singh had contributed a lot to this. Seeing such growing resentment by the Indians, the Queen of Britain took the power of India in her hands in exchange for the East India Company. At that time, the capital of the country was Kolkata. The Queen of Britain had apologized to the people of India through a letter. She also announced that she would take power into her hands. Viceroy Lord Canning received this letter from the Queen at Prayagraj via Kolkata to Delhi.
Reason
On November 1, 1818, a huge court was set up on the banks of the Yamuna to hear the Queen’s letter. Lord Canning narrated that letter to the Queen in the garden adjoining the fort on the banks of the Yamuna to all kings and emperors. All the VIP people were sitting in that court, which made this day historic. And then, for that one day, the capital of India was declared as Prayagraj.
The garden in which the Queen’s letter was read was converted into a park by Lord Minto in 1910. And since then, that park has become famous as Minto Park. The British have also built monuments at this place. Spread over 13 acres, this park was renamed Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya in 1977. Even today, in this park, you will get to see a tower, on which the national emblem of India with four lions is on the upper end. At the bottom of this pillar is a marble plaque on which excerpts from the Queen’s letter are written.
More about Prayagraj
Alfred Park is also present in this Prayagraj, where Chandrashekhar Azad had killed many Britishers, and in the end, he was martyred by shooting himself. Since then, the name of that park has been changed to Chandrashekhar Azad Park.
It is believed that after the creation of the universe, Brahma Ji first performed the Yagya in Prayagraj itself, hence the name Prayag.
The name of the city was changed from Prayagraj to Allahabad by a Muslim king in the 1500s. After independence, many Chief Ministers had tried to change its name, but they were unsuccessful. Finally, in October 2018, then Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath changed Allahabad back to Prayagraj. Today this Prayagraj Sangam is one of the four sites of the biggest Hindu convention Mahakumbh, the remaining three being Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik.
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