PANCH PRAYAG YATRA
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Devprayag It is famous for the confluence of two holy rivers, the Bhagirathi rushing down from Gaumukh and Alaknanda from Alkapuri glacier. The two rivers meet here to form the holy river Ganga. For most Indians, this confluence is no less holier than the sangam at Allahabad. It is believed that lord Rama came here for penance after having killed Ravana. The temple of Raghunath, houses a tall image of Lord Rama made of black granite. The Ram Temple is known as Raghunath temple. Srinagar, the earlier capital of Tehri Garhwal is at a distance of 33 km. It is the first Paryag (confluence) on way to Badrinath -
Rudraprayag Lord Shiva performed his famous Tandav Nritya and played his Rudra-Veena here. With his Raga-Raganees he compelled Lord Vishnu to appear in front of him and with music of his veena, he turned Lord Vishnu to water. Named after Lord Shiva (Rudra), Rudraprayag is situated at the holy confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakani rivers. The entire region is blessed with immense natural beauty and places of religious importance. Pawan Hans helicopter operates a daily flight to Kedarnath and to Agastya Muni which is about 14 km from here -
Karnaprayag It is on the way to Badrinath, on the confluence of two holy rivers Alaknanda and Pindar. It is said that Karna of Mahabharata meditated here for many years to acquire the impregnable shield, which made him a formidable warrior in the battlefield. Swami Vivekananda meditated here for eighteen days with his Guru Bhai, Guru Turianand ji and Akharanand ji. It is the sub-divisional head-quarter of district Chamoli. Roads from here go to Almora, Nainital and Jim Corbet National Park -
Nandaprayag 21 km from Karnaprayag, on the main route to Badrinath, where the Alaknanda and Mandakani rivers meet, is a destination which has become a major tourist halting point. Named Nandaprayag, it honours the pious and truthful King Nanda, who had performed a 'Yagya' and given donations to the brahmins to win the love and blessings of God. The famous Gopalji temple is also situated here. -
Vishnuprayag Twelve kilometres from Joshimath, is Vishnuprayag, situated on the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauli Ganga rivers. In mythology, this is the place where the divine Narad had meditated and received the blessings of Lord Vishnu. The Kagbhusandi lake, a small lake of glittering emerald green is a soothing sight for sore city eyes. In the season, myriad blossoms decorate its banks and the wild profusion of colours renders this as a very photogenic place