Panch Prayag –Spiritual Destination Par Excellence

In India, religiously inclined people do not regard rivers as just any other water bodies. In fact, the Hindu mythology places the rivers at par with the Hindu goddesses. No surprise, the prayag of these rivers usually stand for eternal holiness.

A prayag is a basically a confluence or the merging point of two or more rivers. In total, there are prayags -- together referred to as Panch Prayag. These are the points where the five rivers, namely, Bhagirathi, Dhauli Ganga, Mandakini Nandakini and Pindar merge with the Alaknanda River. After the confluence of Alaknanda with Bhagirathi at Devprayag, the river becomes the famous River Ganga.

Panch Prayag implying five confluences is shrouded in myths, traditional & cultural heritage. Situated in the stunningly beautiful and blessed state of Uttarakhand, the Panch Prayag is one of the leading religious destinations for the Hindus; even while the sacredness and prominence of the river confluences attracts visitors from all over the world.

Panch Prayag

Dev Prayag (94 km from Haridwar)
The meeting point of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers, Dev Prayag is renowned for shrines and river ghats. The story goes that at Dev Prayag the God Vishnu disguised as a dwarf asked for just three steps of land in alms from an unsuspecting King Bali.

Vishnu Prayag (12 km from Joshimath)
The confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauli Ganga Rivers Vishnu Prayag is located at an altitude of 6000 feet above sea level. Religiously inclined visitors to Uttarakhand make it a point to tour this sacred spot.

Nand Prayag (21 km from Rudra Prayag)
The confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini Rivers Nand Prayag is located on the chief route to the holy place of Badrinath. The well-known Gopalji Temple is located at Nand Prayag. On the occasion of Baisakhi and Janmasthami, Nand Prayag hosts wonderful fairs.

Karna Prayag (33 km from Rudra Prayag)
Located on the blessed confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindari Rivers, Karna Prayag is famous for two temples -- the Karna Temple and the Uma Devi Temple. It is believed that Lord Surya gifted Kavatch, Kundal and Tuneer to the great warrior of Mahabharata fame, Karna, at this very place.

Rudra Prayag (32 kms from Karna Prayag)

The confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini Rivers, Rudra Prayag is also famous for the Laxmi Narayan and Durga Temples. In the north of Rudra Prayag, lies the sacred place of Koteshwar where millions of Shivlings are believed to exist. On the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri, every year, a lovely fair is hosted at this place, which is thronged by people from far off areas.