Panch Prayag

Panch Prayag is an expression in Hindu religious ethos, specifically used to connote the five sacred river confluences in the Garhwal Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The five prayags - prayag meaning "confluence" in Sanskrit - also termed as “Prayag pentad”, namely the five river confluences, are Vishnu Prayag, Nand Prayag, Karn prayag, Rudra Prayag and Dev Prayag, in the descending flow sequence of their occurrence. Undertaking a Panch Prayag Yatra involves visiting each of these sacred convergences and getting blessed with their purity.

Each of the mergers takes place in the most alluring and soothing spots of nature. As the descending streams crash into each other, they create the most beautiful roar, making for an extraordinary experience. The meeting points of revered streams of Ganga are worshipped by the devotees. Bathing at the points of confluences is considered as a religious cleansing and is also considered auspicious before visiting major holy shrines.

The last rites for the departed relatives or loved ones can also be performed at theses sacred amalgamations in Himalayas. People undertake Panch Prayag Yatra in order to get their souls blessed at the legendary and naturally amazing sites of the earth. The five sacred river confluences are second most respected phenomenon after the Prayag of Allahabad. En route to Badrinath, Devprayag is the first confluence followed by Rudraprayag, Karnprayag, Nandprayag and Vishnuprayag. Five rivers Bhagirathi, Mandakini, Pindar, Nandakini, Dhauliganga pour into Alaknanda at different locations.