vaishnava · Uttarakhand
Devprayag Sangam
देवप्रयाग
Presiding deity: Lord Raghunath (Rama) — Raghunathji Temple at the confluence
Established: Raghunath temple ~10th century CE (Adi Shankaracharya consecration tradition); sangam itself eternal
Significance
Fifth and final of the Panch Prayag — Bhagirathi + Alaknanda merge here to form the river called Ganga. Most sacred sangam after Prayagraj.
Legend
Devarshi Narada performed tapasya here and received vision of Lord Vishnu — hence Dev-Prayag (god's confluence). Lord Rama is said to have meditated here after Ravana vadh.
How to reach
On NH-7 (Rishikesh–Badrinath highway), 70 km from Rishikesh. All buses to Badrinath/Joshimath halt here. Walk down stone steps to sangam ghat.
Where to stay
GMVN guest house; dharamshalas at sangam; en-route on Char Dham yatra most pilgrims overnight at Srinagar (35 km).
Primary pujas performed here
- Raghunath Aarti
- Pind Daan at sangam
- Tarpan for ancestors
- Asthi Visarjan (immersion)
What to offer: Sangam jal collection, flower garlands, til (sesame) for ancestor offerings, deepa daan
Modern access
Asthi visarjan (immersion of ashes) here is considered equivalent to Haridwar. Population 2,000 swells to 50,000+ during Kumbh prep months. Char Dham yatra mandatory halt.
Nearby tirthas
- Rudraprayag (70 km)
- Rishikesh (70 km)
- Chandrabadni Devi
- Dhari Devi
- Kandoliya Mahadev