Rivers in India are considered to be highly sacred in the Hindu mythology and are glorified as goddesses. And the confluence of these rivers typically represent immortal piety. Panch Prayag meaning five confluences is steeped in legends and traditional heritage. Located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, the Panch Prayag is a must visit for every devotee while the sanctity and the glorified fame of the river confluences draws tourists from all across the globe.
Panch Prayag refers to the five confluences of the Alaknanda river with Dhauli Ganga, Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakani and Bhagirathi in the Garhwal Himalayas. Devotees and pilgrims from all over the country and the world gather at these meeting points of rivers to worship them and to seek blessings of the respective goddesses. Given below is a list of all the five prayags in the Garhwal Himalayan region of Uttarakhand.
Rudra Prayag
Asspciated with a number of interesting Hindu legends, Rudra Prayaga is the meeting point of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. The place derives its name from Lord Shiva, also known as Rudra. Hindus believe that the sage Narad worshipped Lord Shiva here to be blessed with the mastery of music mysteries. Rudra Prayag also commemorates the event when Sati, consort of Lord Shiva, took rebirth after her self immolation. The shrine of Kedarnath is at 84 km from Rudra Prayag while Badrinath shrine is at 159 km from here.
It is well known for LaxmiNarayan and Durga temples. In the north of RudraPrayag is Koteshwar where millions of Shivlings are believed to exist. Huge fair is hosted every year on the day on Mahashivratri. RudraPrayag is 32 kms from KarnaPrayag.
Dev Prayag
Held in no less reverence than the Sangam at Allahabad, the Dev Prayag lies at a distance of just 70 km from the pilgrimage town of Rishikesh. It is at an elevation of 830 m (2,723 ft). It is at this point where meets the river Bhagirathi with river Alaknanda. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Rama (hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana) and his father king Dashratha performed self-mortification. The Raghunath Temple at Dev Prayag is also a major attraction for tourists and pilgrims. The temple enshrines a black-granite idol of Lord Rama. The pilgrimage site is located at 618 m above sea level.
It is believed that it was at Dev Prayag where lord Vishnu begged for 3 steps of land from King Bali. Fairs are held on the occasion of Ramnavmi, Dussherra and Basant Panchami. Traditionally, it is also considered to be the place where sage Deosharma, led his ascetic life, giving birth its present name, Devprayag, and is one of the five sacred confluences in the hills. On a terrace in the upper part of the village is the temple of Raghunathji, built of huge stones, pyramidal in form and capped by a white cupola.
Karna Prayag
The point marks the confluence of the Pindari river (which arises from the icy Pindari glacier) and the Alaknanda river and at the Uma Devi Temple. Nanda Devi, towering above at 7,816 m (25,634 ft.), and surrounded by an array of glittering peaks, Trisul, Drona Giri, Narad Ghunti, Mrigathuni and Maiktoli. It lies at an elevation of 1,451 m (4,760 ft) Karna Prayag is located at an elevation of 788 m above sea level. It is surrounded by dense woods, the one time meeting ground of Shakuntala and Raja Dushyanta, immortalised the classic by Kalidasa. Tourists and pilgrims temples dedicated to Karna (after whom Karna Prayag is named), goddess Uma Devi, Narayan and Gopal, all located at Karna Prayag. For adventure lovers, Karna Prayag serves as the base from where they can start for exciting and scenic treks to Roopkund and Bedni Bugyals.
It is believed that Lord Surya gifted Kavatch, Kundal and Tuneer to Karna at KarnaPrayag. KarnaPrayag hosts several temples groups- KaalBhairov temple dedicated to Kaleshwar in the North, Jaleshwar temple in the South and Chandika temple & Narayan temple in the East. Karanprayag is believed by many to be the place where Karna of the Mahabharata, was to have worshipped the Sun God. It is the ancient temple, devoted to Uma and Karna.
It is said that Karna of Mahabharata meditated here for many years to acquire the impregnable shield, which made him a formidable warrior in the battlefield. Swami Vivekananda meditated here for eighteen days with his Guru Bhai, Guru Turianand ji and Akharanand ji. It is the sub-divisional head-quarter of district Chamoli. Roads from here go to Almora, Nainital and Jim Corbett National Park.
Vishnu Prayag
Located at an altitude of 1,372 m above sea level, Vishnu Prayag is the confluence of rivers Vishnu Ganga (Alaknanda) and Dhauli Ganga. After Vishnu Ganga leaves Vishnu Prayag and advances its course, it is known as river Alaknanda. Kagbhusandi Lake and Vishnu Kund are major attractions for tourists arriving at Vishnu Prayag in Uttarakhand. Joshimath is just 12 kms from Vishnuprayag.
Nand Prayag
It is where river Alaknanda meets river Mandakini. It lies at elevation of 1,358 m (4,455 ft). Located at a distance of just 22 km from Karna Prayag and on the main route to Badrinath, Nand Prayag is situated at an elevation of 914 m above sea level. The holy pilgrimage site derives its name from Raja Nanda. Besides pilgrims and devotees, a lot of trekkers can also be seen at Nand Prayag. Trekkers pass through this place on their way to Roopkund. The famous Gopalji temple is situated here. NandaPrayag hosts fair on the occasion of Baisakhi and Janmasthami.