Panch Prayag Pilgrimage Package (4 Night / 5 Days)

Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand are five sites of the river that amalgamate with the river Alaknanda to flow further as the River Ganga. Panch Paryag means Five Confluences. River Ganga or also referred to as Ganga Maiya by the locals or 'the Ganges' by foreigners, is believed to be one of the most sacred rivers in India, and its water is used in almost every auspicious ritual of India. Devotees from all around India visit the Panch Prayag to take a dip in the holy water of these five confluences as the mythological beliefs refer to taking a dip here cleanses one's soul and their sins, leading them closer to the path of moksha. The Panch Prayag are located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand and are named  Vishnuprayag, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag. 

It is when Maa Ganga was ready to descend on earth to mitigate her power of flow, it was divided into twelve channels which later unify at Devprayag and finally flow as River Ganga. 

Vishnuprayag

Listed as the first Panch Prayag, Vishnuprayag forms the River Alaknanda after the confluence of Vishnu Ganga, also known as Alaknanda, appearing from the peak of Mana and Dhauliganga that flows from the Niti Valley. This confluenceVishnuprayag is at an altitude of  1372m in Chamoli  District. It is said that this is the place where Sage Narad worshipped Lord Vishnu. People can visit the temple of Lord Vishnu located 2 km away from Vishnuprayag, which is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu appeared in front of Sage Narada and blessed him with his cosmic energies. Vishnuprayag is also a gateway point to several treks, like a trek to Kagbhusandi Lake, Hemkund Sahib, and the Valley of Flowers.

Nandaprayag

River Alaknanda is formed at the confluence of Dhauliganga and Vishnu Ganga further meets Nandakini at Nandaprayag. Several legends revolve around the second Confluence of Panch Prayag.  One of the legends leads to an honest King named Nanda performed an auspicious yagya here and was given a boon of Lord Vishnu as his son, however similar boon was given to his Sister Devki. After Devki gave birth to Sri Krishna, one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu, he was brought up by Raja Nanda and his wife Yashoda. One can also visit the Nand temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Nandprayag is located at a height of 810 m in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. 

Karnaprayag

On the way to Badrinath, one can witness the confluence of the River Alaknanda and the River Pindar. Karn, one of the Pandavas from the Mahabharata kaal is believed to have meditated at this place for years and was blessed with two of the Kavachas. Also, there is a Uma Devi Temple dedicated to Mata Sati first wife of Lord Shiva, who reincarnated as Parvati. Karn Prayag, also known as the 'City of Kran' located at an altitude of 1451m.

Rudraprayag

River Alaknanda and River Mandakini meet at the confluence of Rudraprayag, named after Lord Shiva. Rudraprayag is also renowned for its temples. It is the junction point from where the route for Do Dham, Kedarnath, and Badrinath divides. The town is named Rudra as Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Rudra in front of Narad Muni here.

Devprayag

The confluence Bhagirathi and Alaknanda is at Devprayag to be recognized as the River Ganga is recognized from this point. It is also the winter seat for Badrinath priests. A temple dedicated to Lord Rama is situated here as Raghunathji Temple. It is believed that Lord Rama, along with his father, Dasharath, did penance here.