Prachi Chauhan, student of Saksham Sanchar Foundation shared her experience of visiting Triveni Sangam, Prayagraj.
Located in the Indian State of Uttarpradesh, Triveni Sangam is a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus. It is confluence of the Ganges ( Ganga), the Yamuna, and the legendary Saraswati River. Triveni Sangam is located at Prayag- the area of Prayagraj neighbouring the confluence; for this reason, the confluence is also sometimes referred to as Prayag.
At Triveni Sangam, the Gangas and the Yamuna can be identified by their different colours- the water of the Gangas is clear while that of the Yamuna is greenish in colour. The third river, the mythical Saraswati, is called invisible.
The auspiciousness of the confluence of two rivers is referred in the Rigveda, which says, “Those who bathe at the place where the two rivers, white and dark, flow together, rise up to heaven.
A place of religious importance and one of the sites for the historic Kumbh Mela held in every 12 years, over the years it has also been the site of the immersion of ashes of several national leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi in 1949 and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2018.
History & Myths
The Triveni Sangam is believed to be the same place where drops of Nectar fell from the pitcher, from the hands of the gods. So it is believed that a bath in the Sangam will wash away one’s sins and will clear the way to heaven. Devout Hindus from all over India come to the sacred pilgrimage point to offer prayers and take a dip in the holy waters. The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years on the banks of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Sangam. According to Hindu tradition, the Prakrista Yajna was performed here by Lord Brahma. That is why Allahabad was known as Prayag in ancient times. Allahabad (Prayag) is also called Tirtha- Raja (Prayag Raj), king of all holy places. It is said that Lord Rama visited Allahabad when he was in exile.