Panch Prayag Uttarakhand

Dev Prayag Uttarakhand

Panch Prayag Uttarakhand is a mind blowing expression in the ethos of Hindu religion and this term is certainly utilized to connote the five holy river confluences present in the Garhwal Himalayas. What is the meaning of prayag? It means the "confluence" of rivers. Thus, the five Prayags of Uttarakhand are Vishnu Prayag, Nand Prayag, Karn prayag, Rudra Prayag and Dev Prayag. Well, all these prayags flow in descending sequence in terms of their occurrence. People gather at these places during Ram Navami, Makara Sankranthi, Basant Panchmi and Uttarayani festival to have a holy dip.

Vishnu Prayag is the confluence of the rivers Dhauliganga and Alaknanda at left and right respectively. The legend says that the sage Narada offered his worship to Lord Vishnu at this prayag. You should visit the octagonal shaped temple which is present near the confluence and was built in the year 1889. This temple is well credited to Maharani of Indore named as Ahalyabai.

Nandprayag (Nand Prayag) is the next confluence in the line of Panch Prayag in Uttarakhand. The Nandakini River wonderfully meets the Alaknanda River at this confluence in the Garhwal Himalayas. As per the ancient tale, a noble ad kind King named as Nanda performed Yagnya which means fire-sacrifice in English and got the blessings of Lord. This is the reason that this confluence has been named after him. There are several more tales attached to it.

Karna Prayag is the third prayag to visit located at the confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar rivers. The Pindar River originates from popular Pindar glacier which present below the Nanda Devi hill range. As per the Mahabharata epic, Karna did great penance at this place and after that he earned the protective gear or Kavacha (armour) and the Kundals (ear rings) from Sun God that offered him with indestructible powers. Therefore, this prayag got its name from Karna.

Rudra Prayag is the next one for you. It is the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and the Mandakini and it has been given this name after Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is also popular as Lord Rudra. One legend narrates that Rudra performed Tandava here which is a vigorous dance and is the source of the cycle of 3 things that are the creation, preservation and dissolution. He also played his musical instrument named as the Rudra Veena.

Dev Prayag is situated at the confluence of Alakananda River and the Bhagirathi River. It is the very initial prayag out of the Panch Prayag Uttarakhand when you are on your way to Badrinath temple. You will see the Ganges River beyond this confluence.