Allahabad Becomes Prayagraj: Know the History Behind the Name
Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath had made an announcement on Sunday, October 14 that the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Naik, has been informed about the name change and the Governor had given his go ahead on the name change.
Lucknow, October 16: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led government has accepted the proposal to rename the city of Allahabad as Prayagraj. This means that from today, October 16, the important city of Allahabad will officially be known as Prayagraj as the UP Cabinet has passed the resolution to its effect. Allahabad Renamed Prayagraj From Today, UP Cabinet Passes Resolution.
Earlier, CM Yogi Adityanath had made an announcement on Sunday, October 14 that the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Ram Naik, has been informed about the name change and the Governor had given his go ahead on the name change. Allahabad to be Renamed as Prayagraj. Yogi Adityanath Pitches For Change in Name of Uttar Pradesh's Holy City.
The UP CM said that Allahabad would be called Prayagraj ahead of the Ardh Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gathering in the world, scheduled to take place in January next year. Allahabad To Be Renamed Prayag? UP Minister Sidharth Nath Singh Writes To Governor Requesting Name Change.
On this occasion, let us revisit the history of the city which went from being called Prayag to Allahabad to Prayagraj from today. Allahabad, considered to be the second oldest city in the world after Varanasi by historians and Hindu scripture- the Vedas (Rig Veda) and Puranas experts, was called Prayag in the ancient age.
Prayag got a new name and identity after Mughal emperor Akbar named it Illahabas, meaning the abode or home of Allah. Historians say that Akbar was impressed by Prayag and the confluence of the Ganga and Jamuna rivers in the region. Historians claim that Abul Fazl, the court historian of Emperor Akbar, has mentioned the city as Piyag in some historical texts.
The city also finds a mention in mythological stories. One popular tale goes that Brahma, part of the holy trinity in Hinduism along with Shiva and Vishnu, and the creator of the universe, performed a ritual at Prayag. A few popular tales also say that Lord Shiva and Parvati's son-in-law was the ruler of this region and later moved to the Sapta Sindhu region.
Allahabad, or Prayagraj as it will be known from today, has been associated with the Kumbh Mela from the earliest times. The city which was known as Illahabad was turned to Allahabad by the British administration during the British Raj. It was also the capital of the United Provinces, as UP was called during the British rule in India. Allahabad is also the most important administrative centres of Uttar Pradesh and is the seat of the High Court and is home to one of its most reputed universities, the Allahabad University and other administrative centres. Reports said that notices will be sent to all the offices soon to officially communicate the name change.
In August, the Uttar Pradesh's iconic Mughalsarai station was officially renamed as Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction. BJP President Amit Shah and Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present at the programme to mark change of name of the iconic station.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 16, 2018 02:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).