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How Prayag Became Allahabad? - And Now Prayagraj

Prayag is one of the holiest places in Hinduism. Prayag is was popularly known as Allahabad. Here is how Prayag became Allahabad. The name was finally and deservingly changed back to Prayagraj.

Prayag means ‘place of sacrifice’ after Lord Brahma performed the first sacrifice here. For centuries, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati was known as Prayag.


Mughal Emperor Akbar first changed the name in 1572 AD when he built a massive fort here. He named it Illahabas.

Emperor Shah Jahan again changed the name to Allahabad during the 17th century.

The city got back its original name, Prayagraj, in 2019. Prayagraj, refers to the confluence of the three holy rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, the site of Kumbh Mela, which takes place in once in 12 years.