vaishnava · Uttarakhand
Karnaprayag Sangam
कर्णप्रयाग
Presiding deity: Karna (Mahabharata hero) — Karna temple + Uma Devi shrine at confluence
Established: Pre-Mahabharata site; temples 11th–13th century
Significance
Third of the Panch Prayag — Alaknanda + Pindar rivers merge. Only Indian tirth where Karna (often excluded from Vaidik puja) is honored.
Legend
Karna performed Surya tapasya here for years and received his divine kavach-kundal (armor + earrings) from his father Surya. After his death, Krishna performed his last rites at this sangam.
How to reach
On NH-7, 175 km from Rishikesh. Junction of Badrinath highway and Almora route. Direct buses from Rishikesh + Dehradun.
Where to stay
GMVN at Karnaprayag and nearby Chamoli; dharamshalas at sangam; budget hotels in town.
Primary pujas performed here
- Karna Tarpan (rare — for ancestors who died unmourned)
- Uma Devi Abhishek
- Sandhya Aarti
What to offer: Til (sesame), water from sangam, deepa for Karna, flowers for Uma Devi
Modern access
Adi Shankaracharya is said to have meditated here. Town serves as gateway to Almora-Ranikhet hill stations and Roopkund trek. Population ~10,000.
Nearby tirthas
- Rudraprayag (35 km)
- Nandprayag (20 km)
- Adi Badri
- Nauti Devi
- Kalpeshwar (panch kedar)