Devprayag – where Ganga gets complete

Devprayag is one of the most important and famous confluences of river Alakananda. It is the first and foremost Prayag en route Sri Badrinath and Sri Kedarnath from Haridwar. Devprayag is situated at an elevation of 813 meters above the sea level and located at 94 kms from Haridwar and 70 kms from Rishikesh.

At Devprayag, Alakananda river meets the Bhagirathi river. After the confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda, the stream gets its universal name – the Ganga. Alakananda is the moola-Ganga / adi-Ganga which passes through the lotus feet of Lord Badri Vishal. When the river meets Bhagirathi, it completes the entire river and is called as Ganga. This is also the main river of Uttarakhand.

Devprayag is also called as Punya Tirtha or Rama Tirtha. It is believed that it is the holy place where Lord Rama after returning from Lanka did sacrifice for his victory. Many devotees also enjoin that Lord Rama performed shraddha ceremony for His father Dasharatha at Devprayag. This place is counted one among the 108 Sri Vaishnava Divya Deshams. Valmiki Ramayana describes Devprayag to be the best among the tirthas.

Kedar Khand Mahatmya narrates that a brahmin named Deva Sharma had performed severe austerities at this confluence. Pleased with Deva Sharma’s tapasya, Lord Vishnu agreed to dwell here. Devprayag is known after Deva Sharma. Before that this place was known as Sudarshan Kshetra and Brahma Tirtha.

Devprayag is very much dear to the devotees of Lord Ramachandra. Devotees who are lingering after the lotus feet of Lord Rama visit Devprayag.

In the 150th chapter of the Kedar Khand, Skanda describes the glories of Devprayag to Narada Muni, as follows.

Once Parvati Devi asked Lord Shiva, “Why Devprayag is considered as the best tirtha and why those devotees who are devoted to Lord Rama desire to visit Devprayag? Please also narrate about the origin of Devprayag.”

Lord Shiva narrates, “Devprayag is the place of the demigods. Just by having darshan, remembering, meditating or even singing the name of Devprayag, one can be freed from the sinful reactions. Just by touching this holy place, sins like Brahma-hatya are gone away.”

“Adorned with great devotees like Sugriva, Sages, Lakshmana and Sita, Lord Ramachandra is worshipped by demigods like Brahma at Devprayag.”

“In Satya-yuga there was a great brahmana devotee called Deva Sharma who was expert in the qualities like mercy, truth, tapasya, knowledge, and religion. He performed tapasya at Devprayag Tirtha. His tapasya continued for eleven thousand and twelve years. After which, Lord Narayana who is the residence of Lakshmi Devi gave Him darshan.”

“Enchanted by the scintillating beautiful features of Lord Narayana, Deva Sharma composed great prayers in the glorification of the lotus-eyed Lord.”

“Pleased by the prayers of Deva Sharma, Lord Narayana blessed Him and asked him to ask for a boon.”

“Deva Sharma replied, “O Lord if you are pleased by my devotional service, I request you to make this place as your residence and bless all the devotees who come here to worship You.”

“Lord Narayana agreed to stay in Devprayag but only in the Treta-yuga after performing His pastimes as Ramachandra. Until then He blessed Deva Sharma with a long life. He also blessed Deva Sharma that this tirtha would be known by His name, as Devprayag. Since he had performed great austerities here, this place would be very sacred. Just by having darshan of this place, one will achieve Vaikuntha. And then after Lord Narayana disappeared.”

“O Devi, Lord Ramachandra visited this place after performing His lilas and gave darshan to His devotee Deva Sharma. Being extremely pleased by him, Lord Ramachandra blessed him with Sayujya Mukti and declared that anyone who would just remember Deva Sharma brahmana, would achieve liberation. Since then the ocean of mercy Lord Ramchandra made Devprayag as His residence.”

For the safety of yatris while taking bath, there are two kundas which are naturally created midst the rocks are called as Brahma Kunda and Vasishtha Kunda. There are chains to hold and take a holy dip in the waters.

Temples at Devprayag

Sri Raghunath Mandir

To celebrate the residence of Lord Ramachandra at Devprayag, a grand temple was constructed, at a little height from the Sangam after alighting a fleet of 100 steps. This temple is one among the only two Raghunath temples in India. The other Raghunath Temple is in Jammu. Inside the temple is a very beautiful vigraha of Lord Sri Ramachandra in standing posture. This vigraha was installed by Adi Shankaracharya. This temple has been built 80 ft high by connecting huge carved stone blocks. It’s lion gate ‘Dhoka’ was built by the Gorkhas. The temple has smaller shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Hanuman, Vamana and Bali, and self-manifested Bhuvaneshwari Devi.

In the rear part of the temple, there are inscriptions in Brahmi language, may be from 1st to 5th century. Raghunath temple is revered as one of the 108 Divya Deshams by the Sri Vaishnavas. The Periazhwar has performed mangalasasanam to the Lord here. As per Perialwar, the Lord is known as Neelamegha Perumal or Purushottamam. His consort is known as Pundarikavalli Thayar. This Divya Desham is also known as Thirukandam or Kadi Nagar.

Adi Vishweshwar Mahadev Temple

Just below the temple of Raghunath is the temple of Adi Vishweshwar Mahadev which is again mentioned in the Kedar Khand.

Brahma Kunda

There are two Kundas amidst the rocks at the Sangam – Brahma Kunda and Vasishtha Kunda.

The 151st chapter of Kedar Khanda states that Lord Brahma meditated for eleven thousand years at this place to please Lord Vishnu to begin the process of creation. Lord Narayana blessed Lord Brahma here. Lord Narayana also declared that Devprayag Tirtha will become more famous in the 28th yuga when Bhagiratha will get the sacred Ganges to this Earth.

Vasishtha Kunda

After hearing the glories of Devprayag from Lord Brahma, Vasishtha Muni made this place as his residence next to the Brahma Kunda. Anyone who takes a bath in this Kunda nullifies the sins performed for the past one year.

How to reach Devprayag

By Air

Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) is the nearest airport to reach Devprayag which is at a distance of 89 kms. It is well connected to all the major airports of India. Taxis can be taken from the airport to Devprayag.

By Rail

Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest Railway Station to reach Devprayag which is at a distance of 72 kms. Rishikesh is well connected by rail network with major destinations of India. Taxis, private and state buses are available at the Rishikesh Railway Station to reach Devprayag.

By Road

Devprayag is well connected by motorable roads with many cities of Uttarakhand state and other cities of India. Buses to Devprayag are available from Dehradun at regular interval. Buses and taxis are accessible from major towns like Rishikesh, Srinagar, Haridwar, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Tehri.

Accommodation at Devprayag

Decent accommodation can be found at Guest Houses by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Corporation, Temple Committee, Dharamshala’s, and Private Hotels.

Best climate to reach Devprayag

Devprayag can be visited anytime throughout the year and thus the best season to visit happens to coincide with your free time, any season throughout the year. Devprayag experiences heavy rainfall from July to September. From March to May the temperature ranges between a comfortable 18°C – 31°C in these months.

References

Kedar Khand by Hema Uniyal
Kedar Khand by Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi

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