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ALLAHABD Is Now Called Prayagraj As Mentioned In Ancient Literature

ALLAHABAD, historic and ancient city located in India’s most populous state Uttar Pradesh, has been renamed Prayagraj. The city  is mentioned  as Prayagraj in Rig  Veda, the  oldest of the four Vedas, The  Ramayana  and the Mahabharata until  its name was changed by Mughal Emperor  Akbar  in 1575,assert  those who had been agitating  for  the  city’s   original  name.  The age-old name of the city was Prayag which in literal translation means “a place of sacrifice”. Hindu scholars claim it is recognised as the place where Brahma , the creator of the universe as per Hindu mythology, attended a ritual sacrifice. Allahabad is more famously known as Triveni Sangam or Sangam Nagari as it is in this city that the confluence of three most pious rivers, the Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati meet. It is also believed that during the Kumbh Mela, all the gods descend from their holy abode to the Earth, to take a dip at the holy confluence or the Sangam, confluence of the three rivers. So what exactly is the Yogi government trying to establish with such a change? There is an equal divide in the opinions of people who either term it as Hindu Radicalism or term it as a step to reinstate the name that existed before the Mughal, who changed it to aIlahabas and then subsequently to Allahabad. Uttar Pradesh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister   Yogi Adityanath has   infamously approved its renaming .According to media reports, the banners for the upcoming Kumbh Mela to be held on January 15, 2019 mention the city as Prayagraj instead of Allahabad. UP Governor Ram Naik had earlier approved the proposal to name the city as Prayagraj. Addressing the media at Circuit House in Allahabad, CM Adityanath said, “In the meeting called to review the preparedness of Kumbh, a proposal was given by Akhada Parishad and others regarding changing the name of Allahabad district.””UP Governor Ram Naik has also given his consent to the proposal.” He went on to say that very soon the name of Allahabad district will be changed to Prayagraj..Allahabad is not only the leading educational centre in the state but also the seat of High Court and hosts the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission. The Sangam place also holds religious importance for many. Some texts including Akbar’s court historian Abul Fazl called it Piyag. In 1575, the city was named Illahabas meaning ‘abode of God’ by the then Mughal Emperor Akbar when he visited the place. The Britishers called it Allahabad had a railway station named ‘Prayag’. The very famous and iconic train connecting the city to the National Capital is named ‘Prayagraj Express’. (pic courtesy  : Indian  History)

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