Panch Prayag Yatra 

 The Ganga is the holy river of India Uttarakhand. It originate from Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. and the places Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag and Vishnuprayag are situated on confluences of Alaknanda with Rivers  Bhagirathi, Mandakini, Pinder, Nandakini, and Dholi Ganga respectively.  

Dev Prayag: It is the confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi and is famous for temples and river ghats. It is believed that it was at Devprayag where lord Vishnu begged for 3 steps of land from King Bali. Fairs are held on the occasion of Ramnavmi, Dussherra and Basant Panchami.

• Rivers: Alaknanda meets Bhagirathi.
• Location: Tehri Garhwal district.
• Special: This is where the Ganga River officially starts.

Why is Devprayag Special?

• It is the place where the Ganga River officially begins.
• The word “Devprayag” means “Divine Confluence.”
• People come here to pray, take a holy dip, and perform religious rituals.

What Can You See in Devprayag?

1. Raghunath Temple:

   • A very old and famous temple dedicated to Lord Rama.
   • Pilgrims visit this temple to seek blessings.

2. Sacred Bathing Spots:

   • The meeting point of the rivers has two holy ponds:
     • Brahma Kund (on Bhagirathi’s side).
     • Vashishta Kund (on Alaknanda’s side).

3. Beautiful Scenery:

   • Devprayag is surrounded by green hills and offers amazing views of the mountains and rivers.

Rudraprayag: It is the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers and is well known for LaxmiNarayan and Durga temples. In the north of Rudraprayag is Koteshwar where millions of Shivlings are believed to exist. Huge fair is hosted every year on the day of Mahashivratri. Rudraprayag is 32 kms from Karnaprayag.

Why is Rudraprayag Special?

• It is named after Lord Shiva (Rudra).
• The place where two holy rivers join is considered very sacred.
• Pilgrims stop here on their way to Kedarnath or Badrinath.

What Can You See in Rudraprayag?

1. Rudranath Temple:

   • A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva near the confluence.
   • People pray here for blessings.

2. Chamunda Devi Temple:

   • A small temple for Goddess Chamunda, a form of Goddess Durga.

3. The Confluence:

   • The point where Alaknanda and Mandakini meet is peaceful and beautiful.

4. Nature’s Beauty:

   • The town is surrounded by green hills and has stunning views of rivers and mountains.

Karanprayag: It is situated on the sacred confluence of Alaknanda and Pindar rivers and is known for the Karna Temple and the Uma Devi Temple. It is believed that Lord Surya gifted Kvatch, Kundal and Tuneer to Karna at Karnaprayag. Karnaprayag hosts several temple groups- Kaal Bhairav temple dedicated to Kaleshwar in the North, Jaleshwar temple in the South and Chandika temple & Narayan temple in the East.

Why is Karnaprayag Special?

• It is believed that Karna, the brave warrior of the Mahabharata, prayed and meditated here to please the Sun God.
• This place is considered sacred because of its connection to Karna’s devotion and strength.

What Can You See in Karnaprayag?

1. Karna Temple: A temple dedicated to Karna, built to honor his courage and generosity.

2. The Confluence: The meeting point of the Alaknanda and Pindar rivers is a peaceful and spiritual spot.

3. Natural Beauty: Karnaprayag is surrounded by green hills and offers stunning views of the rivers and valleys.

Nand Prayag: It is the confluence of Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers, about 21 kms from Karnaprayag, on the main route to Badrinath. The famous Gopalji temple is situated here. Nandprayag hosts a fair on the occasion of Baisakhi and Janmasthami.

Why is Nandaprayag Special?

• The town is named after King Nanda, who performed a holy yajna (ritual) here.
• It is believed to be a blessed place where prayers are fulfilled.
• The meeting of two rivers makes it a spiritually powerful spot.

What Can You See in Nandaprayag?

1. The Confluence: The point where Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers meet is serene and considered sacred.

2. Nanda Temple: A temple dedicated to King Nanda, known for his devotion and wisdom.

3. Scenic Views: The town is surrounded by lush green hills and offers breathtaking views of rivers and mountains.

Vishnuprayag: Vishnuprayag is a sacred town in Uttarakhand where the Alaknanda River meets the Dhauliganga River. It is the first and highest among the Panch Prayag (five sacred confluences) and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Why is Vishnuprayag Special?

• It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared here and blessed the spot.
• The confluence of the two rivers is considered holy, and people come to offer prayers.
• The place is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

What Can You See in Vishnuprayag?

1. Vishnu Temple:

   • A small but important temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
   • Devotees visit to seek blessings and peace.

2. The Confluence: The merging of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga creates a serene and spiritual atmosphere.

3. Scenic Beauty: Vishnuprayag is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush green valleys, making it a paradise for nature lovers.