It is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It the most populous district in the state and 13th most populous district in IndiaThe city lies close to Triveni Sangam, ‘three-river confluence’, original name – Prayag, ‘place of sacrifice or offering’ – which lies at the sangam (confluence) of the Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati riversa propitious place to conduct sacrifices.

A place of religious importance and the site for historic Allahabad Kumbh Mela held every 12 years, over the years it has also been the site of immersion of ashes of several national leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.