Allahābād City Map Poster

About Allahābād

The city was earlier known as Prayāga, a name still commonly used. Prayāga existed during the Vedic period, and is mentioned in the Veda as the location where Brahma attended a ritual sacrifice. This mythological event is at the origin of Hindu pilgrimage. According to one version of mythology, its name comes from "Prayaga", an acronym for "prayatna-yagna-agni-kalpa" (the place for performing difficult sacrifices). The later Sanskrit text Taittiriya Brahmana uses this name to refer to Agni's flaming mouth or sacrificial fire pit; it states that Agni resided just below this mountain until he was released by Indra who slew Vritra with his thunderbolt weapon Vajra (see also: Shastras). In Vedic times, it was known as Mrigavati ("deer forest"), associated with Mount Meru and part of Kosala kingdom which bordered ancient Videha republic and Anga Kingdom in Bihar state on north side .