Panch Prayag

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India can be said as the land of Rivers which are mainly fed by glacier in the Himalayas. The long path traversed by these Rivers witness diversity in culture, language, weather and off course diversity in nature’s beauty. Some of these Rivers sacrifices itself in Ocean, and some of them in some of the River itself. When two or more Rivers meet together to form a single River, the place of confluence is known as Prayag. Prayag is a sanskrit word meaning confluence or sangam. It is also a symbol of sacrifice.

There are many Prayags in India with Prayagraj (Allahabad) and Panch Prayag in Garwal region of the state of Uttarakand are some of the most popular. As per Hindu culture, Prayags are treated as a sacred place and many religious rites are performed in these Prayags. Also, these Prayags are filled with many mythological stories but the unique beauty the each Prayag holds attracts tourists of all categories. I could not feel it, until my first stay in one of the Prayags in Garwal.

Uttarakhand is the land of Panch Prayag. All these Prayags are are popular tourist attractions and you will definitely feel the sacred essence of Dev Bhoomi here. As per some stories, these Panch Prayag is the road to Heaven. Also it is said, Pandavas followed this route to attain salvation.

Panch Prayag- VishnuPrayag, NandaPrayag, KarnaPrayag, RudraPrayag, DevPrayag

VishnuPrayag: The Sangam of Alokananda and Dhauli Ganga. Alokananda originates from the Satopanth glacier where as Dhauli Ganga originates from Niti Pass. Dauli River after flowing for around 26km meets Alokananda at the VishnuPrayag Sangam. As per Hindu mythological stories, Narada offered worship to Lord Vishnu at this Sangam. This Sangam has a Vishnu and Shiva Temple.

There are many hotels in the place. Still, mentioning some of the best accommodations.
Hotel: The Tattva Resort


NandaPrayag:  The confluence of River Nandakini with River Alokananda. River Nandakini originates from the glacier below Nanda Ghunti. As per stories, the name NandaPrayag came from the Yadva King Nanda, who is the foster father of Lord Krishna. Also some stories says that King Nanda performed Yagna at this place and sought blessings from God. There is one Krishna Temple at the confluence place.

There are many hotels in the place. Still, mentioning some of the best accommodations.
Hotel: Hotel Heaven


KarnaPrayag: The sangam of River Alokananda and River Pindar, which originates from Pindar glacier. The confluence is clearly visible at the sangam place, which muddy coloured Alokananda and greenish blue Pindar. The place got its name from Mahabharata, as Karna did penance here and received protective gears from his father, God Sun. The store seat where Karna did penance is also seen here. There are temples of Shiva,  Ganesh and Uma here.
There are many hotels in the place. Still, mentioning some of the best accommodations.
Hotel: Hotel Shri Krishna Palace


RudraPrayag: Mandakini which originates from the Chorabari glacier near Kedarnath meets Alokananda here.
There are various stories related to this place but the most popular is that this is named after Loard Shiva, also known as Rudra. It is said that Shiva performed Tandava dance here and played his favourite musical instrument-Rudra Veena. There are many other stories related to Goddess Parvati and Narada. There is a temple of Rudranath and Chamunda.


There are many hotels in the place. Still, mentioning some of the best accommodations.
Hotel: Hotel Mandakini

DevPrayag: River Bhagirathi from Gangotri glacier meets Alokananda and emerges
as River Ganga. The sacredness of this place is considered to be equal to the Prayagraj Sangam. The confluence is clearly visible here, with muddy coloured Alokananda with high speed meets the bluish green Bhagirathi which also flows with high speed. The place seems to have got its name from a poor Brahmin Deva Sharma who was blessed by Rama here. This place is also said to be Vishnus navel and Brahma meditated here. This place  is also considered as 108 Divya  Desam by the Vaishnavites. There is a famous Rama Temple-Raghunath Math.

There are many hotels in the place. Still, mentioning some of the best accommodations.
Hotel: Ramkund Resorts

Traveling by the path of Alokananda (Google Maps): Click Here

For further query, refer to my Email id below:

Aniket Chakraborty
acaniketh@gmail.com

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