Panchprayag — The Confluence of 5 Sacred Rivers
Uttarakhand is better known as the “Devbhumi” meaning the Land of Gods. Having countless revered temples of Indian Gods majorly dedicated to Lord Shiva, the state of Uttarakhand is an all-time favorite destination throughout the year among spiritual souls and people seeking the truth. Uttarakhand is also known for Yatra circuits like Char Dham Yatra, Panch Kedar Yatra, and Panch Prayag Yatra.
A lesser-known fact about Uttarakhand is that 16 rivers flow through the state including the pious Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, etc. Among these 16 rivers, 5 rivers flow through 5 towns (Prayags) and here the confluence of the rivers takes place. These towns are visited by devotees together every year, which is called Panch Prayag Yatra. The experience of watching the confluence is simply serene. You must be wondering about what are the names of 5 Prayags? These are as follows-
1. Rudraprayag:
Rudraprayag is both a town and district, which is about 86 km from Kedarnath, one of the major Jyotirlingas of Mahadeva. The confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini river takes place in Rudraprayag. Rudraprayag is explored during the Kedarnath Yatra as it comes on the way. Koteshwar Temple near Rudraprayag is a must-visit ancient temple of Lord Shiva.
2. Devprayag:
Nestled in Tehri Garhwal district, Devprayag is an important part of Panch Prayag Yatra. The Sangam of 3 rivers takes place in Devprayag and takes the Ganga. The name of these rivers is Alaknanda, Saraswati, and Bhagirathi river. Devprayag literally means “Godly Confluence” in Sanskrit. It is believed that Saraswati is an underground river that meets at the confluence.
3. Karnaprayag:
Situated in Chamoli district, Karnaprayag is a town where the confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar river takes place. The town of Karna Prayag is set at an elevation of 1,451 m. Legends have it that Karna, a character in Mahabharata had worshipped the Sun God in Karnaprayag. You can visit Karnaprayag to witness the confluence, which is on the way to Badrinath.
4. Vishnuprayag:
Situated at an elevation of 1,372 m, Vishnuprayag is a town in Chamoli district where the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga river takes place. The name Vishnuprayag derives from God Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. The confluence further flows in front of the Badrinath temple. You must visit an octagonal-shaped temple located here, which was built in 1889.
5. Nandaprayag:
The town and Nagar Panchayat od Nandaprayag is situated in Chamoli district. The 2 sacred river makes the confluence in Nandaprayag namely Alaknanda and Nandakini river. It is believed that taking a dip in the water of Nandaprayag washes off all your sins. Nandaprayag was once the capital of the Yadu kingdom. Practicing meditation here feels totally divine.
Planning Panchprayag Yatra - A True Experience
If you are planning a Char Dham Yatra or Do Dham Yatra (Kedarnath and Badrinath), then you will be happy to know that you can experience all these Prayags on the way and you don’t need to plan for it, especially. If you plan exclusively for Kedarnath Yatra, then you can explore Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and also Karnaprayag. It is best to start your Yatra from Haridwar, Dehradun, or Rishikesh.
You can plan Panchprayag Yatra with your family for a lifetime experience with any leading Uttarakhand travel company like Travelodesk or others. All the Prayags can be easily visited by hiring a Uttarakhand taxi. 4–5 days are enough to explore Panchprayag at ease. Do book your Rudraprayag hotels and other locations well in advance to avoid unavailability and to pay the most reasonable fares.
Travel Tip: Book an SUV Car or a Mini Bus for a comfortable journey.
