People from all faiths come together to welcome devotees, and hundreds of kiosks offering free food to people are set up during the mela.
Allahabad’s history is shared by Hindus, Muslims and Christians alike.
And every corner of the city has its own share of history: from Anand Bhawan, the home of Nehru; to Sangam, the confluence of the two rivers; to the giant fort built by Akbar, which prevented flooding and helped attract people to settle in the city.
“That is why it’s hard to imagine these places with any other name,” says Azimur Siddiqui, a management teacher. “These places represent Allahabad.”