PRAYAGA - THE THEERTHA RAJ (Triveni Sangam)
Prayaaga also known as Allahabad is a city in the State of Uttar Pradesh situated at the confluence of holy Ganges (Ganga) and Yamuna rivers. Prayaga (place of sacrifice) is believed to be the spot where Lord Brahma offered his first sacrifice after creating the world. It is one of the four sites of Kumbha Mela; others being Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nasik. It is a very sacred and celestial place of importance in Hinduism and Hindu Mythology since it is situated at the confluence (Sangam) of the holy rivers, Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswathi together called Triveni Sangam. In Sanskrit Veni means river and Triveni means three rivers, and hence the confluence of three rivers is known as Triveni Sangam.
Mythology of Praayaga...
Prayaaga is also called as Theertha Raj the king of all pilgrimage centers. Its sanctity is manifested by its reference in Puranas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. According to Hindu mythology it is said that, Lord Brahma, chose a land on the earth (Prayaga) to perform 'Prakrista Yaga' at the beginning of creation and He referred to it as Theertha Raj or the 'King of all pilgrimage centers’. As per Padma Purana, Praayaga is said to be the best among all the places of pilgrimage.
The area of Prayaga is called as the land of Prajapathi and hence known as Prajapathi Kshetra. The Trinity lords Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are the presiding Deities of this region. It is also called Aryaavartha since Aryans are said to have settled here first. The Gods and the seven sages (Saptha Rishi) have made their abodes on the outskirts of Prayaga, while Prayaga itself is said to be the abode of Lord Vishnu. Here Lord Vishnu is said to possess 12 names and forms known as Vata Madhav, Akshaya Madhav, Moola Madhav, Shankha Madhav, Chakra Madhav, Gada Madhav, Padma Madhav, Ananta Madhav, Bindu Madhav, Manohar Madhav, Asi Madhav, and Veni Madhav. It is said that, Lord Sri Rama had spent some time here at the Ashram of Sage Bharadwaj before proceeding to near by Chitrakuta.
It is said that after the Kurukshetra war Yudhishtira (Dharma Raja) was very much depressed with a guilty feeling of having attained sin due to killing of many people in the war and sought the advice of sage Maarkandeya. On his advice he went to Prayaaga and took a sacred bath at the confluence of three sacred rivers to get purified from his sins.
Prayaga has been known as the greatest pilgrimage since Rig-Veda era. The basic reason is the confluence of two of the holiest rivers in India, the Ganga and the Yamuna. It is said that one who dies at Sangam is freed from the cycle of re-birth and attains salvation. It said and believed that at the time of destruction of the Universe Prayaga is saved.
Prayaaga is also called as Theertha Raj the king of all pilgrimage centers. Its sanctity is manifested by its reference in Puranas, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. According to Hindu mythology it is said that, Lord Brahma, chose a land on the earth (Prayaga) to perform 'Prakrista Yaga' at the beginning of creation and He referred to it as Theertha Raj or the 'King of all pilgrimage centers’. As per Padma Purana, Praayaga is said to be the best among all the places of pilgrimage.
The area of Prayaga is called as the land of Prajapathi and hence known as Prajapathi Kshetra. The Trinity lords Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara are the presiding Deities of this region. It is also called Aryaavartha since Aryans are said to have settled here first. The Gods and the seven sages (Saptha Rishi) have made their abodes on the outskirts of Prayaga, while Prayaga itself is said to be the abode of Lord Vishnu. Here Lord Vishnu is said to possess 12 names and forms known as Vata Madhav, Akshaya Madhav, Moola Madhav, Shankha Madhav, Chakra Madhav, Gada Madhav, Padma Madhav, Ananta Madhav, Bindu Madhav, Manohar Madhav, Asi Madhav, and Veni Madhav. It is said that, Lord Sri Rama had spent some time here at the Ashram of Sage Bharadwaj before proceeding to near by Chitrakuta.
It is said that after the Kurukshetra war Yudhishtira (Dharma Raja) was very much depressed with a guilty feeling of having attained sin due to killing of many people in the war and sought the advice of sage Maarkandeya. On his advice he went to Prayaaga and took a sacred bath at the confluence of three sacred rivers to get purified from his sins.
Prayaga has been known as the greatest pilgrimage since Rig-Veda era. The basic reason is the confluence of two of the holiest rivers in India, the Ganga and the Yamuna. It is said that one who dies at Sangam is freed from the cycle of re-birth and attains salvation. It said and believed that at the time of destruction of the Universe Prayaga is saved.
Holy places at Prayaaga...
Sangam(Triveni Sangam)
Sacred Sangam is the confluence of three of the holiest rivers in Hindu mythology Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati which is also called the river of enlightenment. It is said and believed that it is one of the four sacred spots where a few drops of the nectar 'Amritha" spilled while it was carried by Lord Maha Vishnu during the episode of Ksheera Sagara Madhanam. Other three are Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. These four places are called theerthas and considered holy by the Hindus. Among them Triveni Sangam (Prayaga) is regarded as the holiest and Theertharaja. These three rivers maintain their identity and are visibly different as they merge. While Yamuna is deep but calm and greenish in colour; Ganga is shallow; but forceful and clear; Saraswati remains hidden, believe that she makes her presence felt underwater.
Significance of Prayaaga is widely known in the terrestrial and celestial universe. By bathing in the holy waters of Sangam one is ridden of all sins and gets all his desires fulfilled. If it is coinciding with Kumbh the results are manifold and more meritorious.
Holy Sangam is the site for Annual Maagh Mela; Ardh Kumbha Mela; Kumbha Mela. Magha Mela is held every year between mid January and mid February. Maha Kumbh Mela attracts huge gatherings of pilgrims and others from all over the world. Allahabad is world famous for Maha Kumbh Mela held once in 12 years. It is said that, more than 30 million people take part in the mammoth religious carnival which is supposed to be the largest gatherings of people on the earth.
Sangam is just 12 km away from the Allahabad railway station and can be reached easily by auto rickshaws that regularly ply on the route. When once you reach there you have to travel in a boat to the sangam spot for taking bath and also for performing Veni Danam.
Bharadwaj-Ashram
Located in Colnelganj of the city near Anand Bhavan, it is the place where Lord Sri Rama is said to have visited to seek blessings of sage Bharadwaj.
Akshayavat
It is an eternal tree that is indestructible It is located inside the Quilla on the banks of the river Yamuna. It is said that anyone who prays at this tree or dies under it attains salvation and its branches hang out into the Yamuna River. It is said that Lord Sri Ram spent a night near this tree while on His way to the wilds. It is also a holy site for the Jains.
Veni Madhav Temple
As said earlier there are 12 Madhav Deities in Prayaga but the Veni Madhav temple at Daraganj close to the Sangam is significant. It is a small temple with a small idol of Vishnu representing Veni Madhava and Lakshmi. As per the inscriptions on the walls of the temple it is said that Lord Vishnu came to this spot as Veni Madhava to kill a demon who was trying to possess (by drinking) the three great rivers after he was cured of a skin problem when he took a bath in their confluence at Sangam.
Alopi Devi Mandir (Madhaveswari)
“Prayage Madhaveswari” also known as Alopi Devi temple is located in Alopi bagh to the west of Daraganj. It is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Shakthi and is said to be one of the Shakti Peeth (Ashtadasa Shakthi Peetas). It is a unique temple where its presiding deity is in the form of a small wooden Jhuula (swing) which is placed above a marble platform.
Origin of the name Alopi (disappeared) lies in the Hindu belief that when various body parts of Goddess Sati Devi (chopped off by Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshana Chakra) fell at various places in India, they were sanctified as holy places for pilgrimage called Shakti Peetaas. The last part fell at this location thereby named as "Alopi" (where disappearance was concluded) and the holiest of all.
Veni Daanam...
A special mention need to be made about this unique ritual. The word Veni in Sanskrit means River. An interesting ritual performed at Sangam is that of Veni Daanam (charity). This is a practice being followed by married women for the longevity of their husbands. Husband is supposed to comb and plait wife’s hair and after decorating it with flowers, the end of the plait is cut off and offered to the rivers at the confluence as a charity. Normally hair floats on water but, at this place hair sinks straight to the bottom. Though hundreds of people offer their hair everyday, there is not a single strand of hair seen floating on the river. Whatever may be the scientific reason it is an inspiriting ritual for those who belief in the divinity.
How to reach there?
By Rail: Allahabad is well connected by rail with several important cities viz.Calcutta, Delhi, Patna, Chennai, Mumbai, Gwalior, Kanpur,Varanasi etc.
By Road: Allahabad is on the National Highways # 2 and 27. It is well connected to the rest of the country by road.
What can be done at Prayaaga ?
One of the maxims of pilgrimage says that one should tonsure ones head at Prayaga. For observing and following theertha vidhi there are number of theertha purohits available at Prayaaga who also provide dormitory facilities. Majority are in the area of Daragunj which is nearer to the Sangam spot. Pilgrims can approach them according to their own sampradaya. For performing Theertha Vidhi and Veni Danam as per Madhwa sampradaya facilities are available at...
What can be done at Prayaaga ?
- Sacred bath at Triveni Sangam
- Veni Danam
- Perform sacred rites to forefathers
- Visit to holy temples
One of the maxims of pilgrimage says that one should tonsure ones head at Prayaga. For observing and following theertha vidhi there are number of theertha purohits available at Prayaaga who also provide dormitory facilities. Majority are in the area of Daragunj which is nearer to the Sangam spot. Pilgrims can approach them according to their own sampradaya. For performing Theertha Vidhi and Veni Danam as per Madhwa sampradaya facilities are available at...
Uttaradhi Mutt # 77, Mori Daraganj, Near Daraganj Police Station, Opp State Bank of India, Allahabad-211006. Tele: 0532-2508616, Mobile: 094513-66300. Contact persons: Sri K.V.Narayana Acharya and Sri.K.N.Raghavendra Acharya. Accommodation, food and guide facilities are available at this place. Cab charges from Allahabad Rly station to the venue will be approx Rs. 150 to 200.
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu
Will someone provide the significance of venidanam and why it is to be done
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