Location
Allahabad City
Allahabad, 350 miles south east of Delhi, is synonymous with the old holy city Prayag described in Hindu mythology and scriptures. It is situated at the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna, where once in 12 years (not in 2009) the greatest fair of the world, KUMBH, is held in which about 20 million people from different parts of the world take dips in the river near the spot of the confluence.
This holy city is also a historic (ancient, medieval and modern) site. It has a Fort built by Emperor Akbar, the Great, and in the recent past, was one the most important centers of political and literary activities in India. Former Indian Prime Ministers J.L. Nehru, L.B. Shastri, Indira Gandhi, V.P. Singh and Chandrashekhar, and former President S.D. Sharma had close associations with Allahabad.
The University of Allahabad
The University of Allahabad was founded in 1887, making it the fourth oldest academic institution in India. It is now a Central University and an Institution of National Importance.
Muir Central College, housing the Science Faculty, was founded in 1872. The Department of Physics was established in 1923 By Prof. Megh Nad Saha, FRS, who was succeeded by Prof. K.S. Krishnan, FRS.
Kumbh Mela
Kumbh Mela (especially the Maha Kumbh Mela) is the most sacred of all the pilgrimages. Thousands of holy men and women (monks, saints and sadhus) attend, and the auspiciousness of the festival is in part attributable to this.
