Panch Prayag
Panch Prayag (Pañcha prayāga) is an expression in
Path
It starts with the Vishnu Prayag on the
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 the Hindu trinity: Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers near the Nanda 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 towards Rishikesh and Haridwar, two holy places on the bank of the Ganges in Uttarakhand.
At each of the confluences, with large influx of pilgrims who visit the state for the pilgrimage of the
Meaning
Prayag in Hindu tradition signifies confluence of two or more rivers where ablutions (bathing) before worship, religious rites called the
Description of the five Prayags
People of Garhwal, in particular, gather at the five prayags during
Vishnuprayag
The Alaknanda River, which originates from Satopanth glacier is joined by the Dhauliganga 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″N 79°34′31″E / 30.5626°N 79.5754°E). This stretch of the Alaknanda River is called the Vishnu Ganges. Legend narrates the worship offered by sage Narada to god Vishnu at this confluence. An octagonal shaped temple - located near the confluence - dated to 1889, is credited to Maharani of Indore - 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]
Nandaprayag
Nand Prayag (30°19′56″N 79°18′55″E / 30.3321°N 79.3154°E) is the second prayag in the cascade sequence of the confluences where the
Karnaprayag
Karn Prayag (30°15′49″N 79°12′56″E / 30.2637°N 79.2156°E) is the location where Alaknanda River is joined by the
Next to the confluence site there is a large pasturage on the bank where cows are seen grazing. According to a local legend, a local zamindar (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 from South 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 the Himalayas) here. The stone temple was rebuilt by guru Adi Shankaracharya. In the sanctum, the images of goddess Parvati, her consort Shiva and her elephant-headed son Ganesha 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 the Binayak 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]
Rudraprayag
At Rudra Prayag (30°17′16″N 78°58′43″E / 30.2878°N 78.9787°E) the Alaknanda meets the Mandakini River. There is a temple situated above confluence named after god Shiva, who is also known as Rudra.[9] According to a widely narrated legend, Shiva performed the Tandava 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 the Rudra 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 -
Devprayag
Dev Prayag (30°08′43″N 78°35′52″E / 30.1453°N 78.5977°E) is the confluence of the two holy rivers, the Bhagirathi - the chief stream of the Ganges and the Alaknanda.
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 by
The many legendary kings who did penance here were, Rama - to atone for his sin of killing the demon-king
A famous temple dedicated to Rama called the Raghunath Math is located above the confluence. A 15 ft (4.6 m) high, black granite 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 of
Access
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.
The distances from Rishikesh to the five prayags are:
- 256 km (159.1 mi) to Vishnu Prayag via Joshimath which is13 km (8.1 mi) away;
- 190 km (118.1 mi) to Nanda Prayag;
- 169 km (105.0 mi) to Karna Prayag;
- 140 km (87.0 mi) to Rudra Prayag; and
- 70 km (43.5 mi) to Dev Prayag.[16][17][18][19][20]
Appropriate time to visit the Panch Prayag Panch 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]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 9788173871368. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ "Ganges River". Britannica.com. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Prayags". Garhwal Manadal Vikas Nigam: A Government of Uttarakhand Enterprise. Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ ISBN 9788128400674.
- ^ ISBN 9788122309973. Retrieved 10 August 2009.
- ^ Goniyal, Saurabh (13 July 2023). "Panch Prayag - The Confluence Of The Holy Rivers". Trip Tradition. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
- ISBN 9788173053009. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
- ^ ISBN 9788173870064. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8239-3180-4.
- ISBN 9788170998709.
- ^ Foster p. 411-12
- ^ a b Foster, Theodore (28 November 2007). The London quarterly review (1817). Theodore Foster. p. 409. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
digitized by New York Public Library
- ^ "Panch Prayag of Garhwal". Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
- ISBN 9788186030707. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ ISBN 9788171821853.
- ^ "Vishnu Prayag". Office web site of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ "Nand Prayag". Office web site of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ "Karan Prayag". Office web site of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ "Rudra Prayag". Office web site of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
- ^ "Deo Prayag". Office web site of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
External links
Related Yatras
- Panch Kedar
- Chhota Char Dham