Panch Prayag

Ganga, that most sacred of Indian rivers, is worshipped as the life-giving goddess who brought salvation to this land. This great river, emerging from the icy glaciers of the Himalayas, descended to earth with such force that the gods had to be called in to prevent a complete deluge. The mighty Ganga was split into 12 channels to temper her force and the siblings again unite into one single stream after Devprayag, where the two great streams of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet. Four other confluences higher up add up to form the five holy confluences or Panch Prayag.

The journey to Panch Prayag not only provides the spiritual gains but also it is Nature's heaven.

DevPrayag
DevPrayag is regarded as the most complete showcase of legends, heritage & traditions. 70 km from Rishikesh , here the Bhagirathi from Gaumukh & the Alaknanda (and Mandakini) from Satopanth unite and for most Indians, this confluence is no less holy than the Sangam at Allahabad. These three rivers flowing majestically through sculptured channels carved through the rocks have carved angular blocks of land around the confluence & the town is set into these three angles. From this place onwards the combined river is known as Ganga.

It is believed that Lord Rama and his father King Dashratha did penance here. The temple of Raghunathji houses a tall image of Lord Rama made of black granite. The most celebrated event at DevPrayag is the congregation of devotees, who come here to worship at Raghunath temple.

A big stone on the Bhagirathi's bank is called the Vashistkund named after sage vashist, under whose auspices lord Indra performed his Yoga. The stone has the exact spot marked on it.

RudraPrayag
Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), RudraPrayag is situated at the holy confluence of Alaknanda & Mandakini rivers, at a distance of 34 km from Srinagar (Garhwal). It is believed that to master the mysteries of music, the sage Narad worshipped Lord Shiva, who appeared in his Rudra incarnation to bless the sage. It was here, also, that Shivas wife, Sati, was reborn after her self immolation because her father humiliated her husband. In her new life, as the daughter of Himalaya, she did penance here to ask the boon of Shiva as a husband once again. The ancient temple of Rudranathji is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

RudraPrayag is the point where the two roads branch off to the holy Shrines of Kedarnath (84 km) & Badrinath (159 km).

The entire region is blessed with immense natural beauty, places of religions importance, lakes and glaciers.

KarnaPrayag
Situated 11 km from Gauchar, the icy flow from the Pindari Glacier becomes the Pindari river, and when it meets the Alaknanda at 788 m, the confluence is known as KarnaPrayag. The wooded thickets of the hills surrounding KarnaPrayag were the meeting ground for Shakuntala and Dushyanta, immortalised in Kalidasa’s immortal classic and a favourite ballad ever since. The place derives its name from Karna, the son of the Queen Kunti and Lord Surya. Karna propitiated the Sun God here, and acquired a pair of earrings & armour that made him invincible. Ultimately, he fell in the battle between the Pandavas & Kauravas, but remains a tragic hero for in life he never had the legitimacy he desired.

Besides the temple dedicated to Karna, the temple dedicated to Goddess Umadevi, Narayan & Gopal stand at the confluence.

69 km from Gwaldam, KarnaPrayag is on the main Rishikesh Badrinath highway. From here, the road to SriKedarnath (115 km) goes through Rudraprayag & the road to SriBadrinath (128 km) through Joshimath.

KarnaPrayag is the base for treks to Roopkund and the Bedni Bugyals and the approach to the Pindari Glacier.

NandPrayag
22 km from KarnaPrayag, NandPrayag at 914 m forms the confluence of the Alaknanda & Nandakini (flowing from a glacier near Nanda Devi Peak) rivers. On their way to Tapovan across Kunwari Pass or on their way to Roopkund, it is popular with trekkers. It is said that the confluence is named for the pious Raja Nanda. According to one legend, the king had been promised the boon of Vishnu as a son. Unfortunately, the same boon had been granted to Devki, the imprisoned sister of the tyrant king, Kansa. Ultimately, the gods found an ingenuous if wily solution: Vishnu would be born as Krishna to Devki but would be brought up by Raja Nandas wife, Yasodha.

50 km north east of Nandprayag is Vairaskund where Ravana is believed to have done intense Tapasaya to appease Lord Shiva and get his blessings. He offered as sacrifice his ten heads.

Vishnuprayag
Hormed by the confluence of the impetuous VishnuGanga (known after this point, as the Alaknanda) and the Dhauliganga river, VishnuPrayag, 1372m, has an ancient temple called Vishnu Kund. It is said that the sage Narad worshipped Vishnu at this sanctified spot. Visitors will find the Kagbhusandi Lake bewitching with its emerald green depths giving it a still surface, while on the banks, blossoms evoke the colours of nature in all her glory. The lake can also be approached from Vishnuprayag beside from Bhundhar village near Ghangaria.