Panch Prayag (Pañcha prayāga) is an expression inHindu religious ethos, specifically used to connote the five sacred river confluences in theGarhwal Himalayas in the state ofUttarakhand,India. The fiveprayags -prayaga meaning "place of confluence of rivers" inSanskrit - also termed as "Prayag pentad" areVishnuprayag,Nandaprayag,Karnaprayag,Rudraprayag andDevprayag, in the descending flow sequence of their occurrence.
Alaknanda + Dhauliganga = Vishnu Prayag
Alaknanda + Nandakini = Nand Prayag
Alaknanda + Pindarganga = Karna Prayag
Alaknanda + Mandakini = Rudra Prayag
Alaknanda + Bhagirathi = Dev Prayag
The three most holy rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and Sarasvati, originate in this area. According to the holy texts the river Sarasvati too was a tributary of Ganga and used to join it at theTriveni Sangam inPrayagraj along withYamuna. But, theMahabharat mentions that it later dried. Today Sarasvati joins Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag in Mana village before the confluence of Dhauliganga and Alaknanda at Vishnu Prayag. But Keshav Prayag is not included in the list of the Panch Prayag, hence it starts with the Vishnu Prayag on theAlaknanda River, which is one of the two source streams of the riverGanga in the Garhwal Himalayas; the other streams are theDhauliganga,Nandakini,Pindar,Mandakini and theBhagirathi - the head stream of the Ganges.
Alaknanda descending from the foot of the Satopanth (a triangular lake, which is located at a height of 4,402 m (14,442.3 ft), above the sea level and named after theHindu trinity:Brahma,Vishnu,Shiva and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers near theNanda Devi peak, in Uttarakhand cascades over a length of 229 km (142.3 mi) encompassing the five prayags and is joined at Dev Prayag by the Bhagirathi, a shorter river source vis-à-vis Alaknanda to form the main stream of the Ganges. It flows down south towardsRishikesh andHaridwar, two holy places on the bank of the Ganges inUttarakhand.
At each of the confluences, with large influx of pilgrims who visit the state for the pilgrimage of thePanch Kedar andSapta Badri temples, large religious towns have developed. Pilgrims take a dip in the river at these locations before embarking on visiting the holy shrines in the "Deva Bhumi" (god's land) as Uttarakhand is commonly known. The religious towns are named after the confluence sites as:Devaprayag,Nandprayag,Karnaprayag,Rudraprayag, exceptVishnuprayag, where there is no town but it is about 12 km (7.5 mi) fromJoshimath town another famous Hindu religious centre), along a winding road that further leads toBadrinath Temple and beyond.[1][2][3][4] Some pilgrims do ablution at all the five prayags before worshiping Vishnu at Badrinath.[5]
Prayag in Hindu tradition signifies confluence of two or more rivers where ablutions (bathing) before worship, religious rites called theShraddha (the last rites) for the departed and worship of the river itself as manifestation of God are a prevalent practice. While the Prayag atPrayagraj (King of Prayags), where the three rivers namely, the Ganges, theYamuna and theSarasvati confluence, is considered the holiest, the Panch Prayag of Garhwal Himalayas are the next in the order of piety. The Prayags are rich not only with stories from puranas and legend but also in scenic beauty of the Himalayan snow-covered peaks and enchanting valleys.[6] It is also deduced that the Panch Prayag located on the road to Badrinath refer to theSvargarohana (ascend to heaven) route followed by thePandavas to attain salvation after they completed circumambulation of the earth.[7]
People of Garhwal, in particular, gather at the five prayags duringMakara Sankranthi,Uttarayan,Basant Panchami andRam Navami festivals for a holy dip in the sacred river confluences.[8]
The Alaknanda River, which originates from Satopanth glacier is joined by theDhauliganga river near Joshimath (on Joshimath - Badrinath route). Alaknanda flows in front of the Badrinath temple, one of the most revered Hindu shrines. Dhauli Ganga originates from the Niti Pass, after traveling a distance of 25 km (15.5 mi) from its source to the Vishnu Prayag(30°33′45″N79°34′31″E / 30.5626°N 79.5754°E /30.5626; 79.5754 (Vishnu Prayag)). This stretch of the Alaknanda River is called the Vishnu Ganges. Legend narrates the worship offered by sageNarada to god Vishnu at this confluence. An octagonal shaped temple - located near the confluence - dated to 1889, is credited to Maharani ofIndore - Ahalyabai. It houses a Vishnu image. A stairway from this temple leads to the Vishnu kund (kund means pool of water or lake) at the confluence, which is seen in a tranquil state.[1][3]
Nand Prayag(30°19′56″N79°18′55″E / 30.3321°N 79.3154°E /30.3321; 79.3154 (Nand Prayag)) is the second prayag in the cascade sequence of the confluences where theNandakini river joins the main Alaknanda River. According to one tale, a noble King Nanda performedYagnya (fire-sacrifice) and sought blessings of God. Hence, the confluence is named after him. The other version of the legend states that the confluence derives its name from theYadava kingNanda, the foster-father of godKrishna. According to the legend, Vishnu granted a boon of the birth of a son to Nanda and his wifeYashoda and also the same boon toDevaki, wife ofVasudeva. Placed in a dilemma, since both were his disciples, he ensured that Krishna, an incarnation of Vishnu, was born to Devaki and Vasudeva but was fostered by Yashoda and Nanda.[1][3] There is temple forGopal, a form of Krishna, here.[4] The legends also narrate that sageKanva did penance here and also that wedding of KingDushyanta andShakuntala took place at this venue.[5]
Karn Prayag(30°15′49″N79°12′56″E / 30.2637°N 79.2156°E /30.2637; 79.2156 (Karn Prayag)) is the location where Alaknanda River is joined by thePindar River that originates from the Pindar glacier, below the Nanda Devi Mountain range.[1] The epicMahabharata narrates thatKarna did penance here and pleased theSurya (sun-god). In return, he received an impenetrable armor and a quiver of arrows that could never be exhausted. The name of the confluence is thus derived from the name of Karna.[9] There is reference to this site inMeghaduta, aSanskrit lyrical poetic drama written by the legendary poetKalidasa, which attributes that Satopanth and Bhagirath glaciers joined here to form the Pindar River. Another classic work by the same author called theAbhijnana-shakuntala also mentions thatShakuntala and king Dushyanta's romantic dalliance occurred here.[10] More recently,Swami Vivekananda has also been said to have meditated here for eighteen days.[3]
Next to the confluence site there is a large pasturage on the bank where cows are seen grazing. According to a local legend, a localzamindar (landlord) inadvertently killed a cow (go-hatya) in this pasture land, which according to Hindu religion was considered a religious offence. The contrived zamindar, who did not have adequate money to do reparatory acts to atone for this sin, requested a visiting pilgrim fromSouth India to help him out. With the help of the philanthropic pilgrim, the zamindar bought the pasture land, dedicated it to Lord Badrinath, a form of Vishnu, with the vow that the land so acquired would be used only for the purpose of grazing by cows.[11]
The stone seat where Karna did penance is also seen here. A temple built in recent times to commemorate Karna has the deity of goddess Uma Devi (daughter of theHimalayas) here. The stone temple was rebuilt by guruAdi Shankaracharya. In the sanctum, the images of goddessParvati, her consortShiva and her elephant-headed sonGanesha are installed, next to that of Uma Devi, apart from Karna's image. A steep row of steps from the temple along a spur leads to the confluence point. And, down these steps, small shrines of Shiva and theBinayak Shila (the Ganesha stone) - that is believed to provide protection from danger - are located. Once in 12 years, a procession of the image of Uma Devi is taken round a few villages in the sub-divisional town of Karnaprayag.[citation needed]
At Rudra Prayag(30°17′16″N78°58′43″E / 30.2878°N 78.9787°E /30.2878; 78.9787 (Rudra Prayag)) the Alaknanda meets theMandakini River. There is a temple situated above confluence named after god Shiva, who is also known asRudra.[9] According to a widely narrated legend, Shiva performed theTandava here. The Tandava is a vigorous dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation and dissolution. Shiva also played his favourite musical instrument theRudra veena here. By playing the Veena, he enticed god Vishnu to his presence and converted him to water.[3]
Another legend narrates that sage Narada performed penance here to gain musical talent. Narad eventually pleased Shiva who taught Narad music.[9]
According to another legend, the consort of Shiva -Sati was reborn asParvati as the daughter of Himalaya, after she self-immolated herself in protest of the insult of Shiva. In spite of Himalaya's protests, Parvati performed rigorous penance to get the boon of becoming Shiva's wife in the new birth too.[citation needed]
Dev Prayag(30°08′43″N78°35′52″E / 30.1453°N 78.5977°E /30.1453; 78.5977 (Dev Prayag)) is the confluence of the two holy rivers, the Bhagirathi - the chief stream of the Ganges and the Alaknanda.[9] It is the first prayag on the way to Badrinath. Beyond this confluence, the river is known as Ganges. The holiness of this place is considered equal to the famousTriveni sangam confluence atAllahabad where the Ganges, Yamuna andSaraswati rivers merge.[3]
The confluence of the Bhagirathi, which flows in rapids with strong currents meets a much calmer river in the Alaknanda and this has been vividly described by the British captain Raper as:[12]
The contrast between the two rivers joining here is striking. The Bhaghirathi runs down a steep declivity with rapid force, roaring and foaming flowing over large fragments placed in its bed, while the placid, Alakananda, flowing, with a smooth, unruffled surface, gently winds round the point till, meeting with her turbulent consort, she is forcibly hurried down, and unites her clamours with the blustering current.
The confluence got the name tag 'Dev' from a poor Brahmin called Deva Sharma who performed "rigorous religious austerities" here and was blessed byRama, Vishnu's incarnation and hero of the epicRamayana. There are two Kunds or ponds on the banks of the rivers which join here, these are: theVasistha Kund on the Bhagirathi and the Brahma Kund on the bank of the Alakananda. Legend also mentions about this site being Vishnu's navel and thatBrahma meditated here.[citation needed]
The many legendary kings who did penance here were, Rama - to atone for his sin of killing the demon-kingRavana, aBrahmin. Legend also states that Vishnu entreated the demon-kingBali for 3 steps of land here.[13] Legend also states that Rama, before attaining salvation, vanished from here.[14] Vaishnavites consider it as one of the 108Divya Desams (sacred abodes of Vishnu) for undertaking a pilgrimage during their lifetime.[5]
A famous temple dedicated to Rama called the Raghunath Math is located above the confluence. A 15 ft (4.6 m) high, blackgranite image of Rama is worshipped here as the central icon. It is believed to be installed in the temple about 1250 years ago.[3][4] A Shiva temple is also located nearby.[5][15]
Ancient stone inscriptions have also been traced here. The stone inscriptions dates the temple's existence to the first century AD. The temple, which is 72 ft (21.9 m) in height, has a quadrilateral pyramidal shape with width narrowing towards the top of the temple tower. The top is surrounded by a white cupola. The sloping roof over the cupola is supported by wooden pillars. The roof is made up of copper plates adorned by plated ball with a spire. An image ofGaruda (a divine bird in human form with a beak and wings to fly, which is thevahana or vehicle of Vishnu). On the festive days ofRam Navami,Vasant Panchami andBaisakhi, which are special occasions at this temple, the god is placed on a stone shown for worship. A stairway from the temple of Deva Prayag of Panch Prayag, leads to the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alakananda rivers where a distinct demarcation of the churning muddy stream of Alakananda mix with the saffron clear flows of Bhagirathi is seen (see picture in infobox) to evolve as Ganges, the holiest river for Hindus. Brahmins and pilgrims offer food to the fish speciesCyprinus denticulatus (4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) length) at this site.[5][8][12][15]
Access to the five confluence locations on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway is reckoned from Rishikesh, which is the gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. Rishikesh is a rail head that connects to all parts of the country and the nearest airport.Jolly Grant Airport is 18 km (11.2 mi) from Rishikesh, and 25 km (15.5 mi) fromDehradun.
The distances from Rishikesh to the five prayags are:
Appropriate time to visit the Panch PrayagPanch Prayag lies in one of high mountains of Himalayas, with low temperatures all through the year so it's better to give them a miss during winters, when it gets very cold. All the Prayags can be reached by road throughout the year.[1]
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