Triveni Sangam, PRAYAGRAJ (Allahabad)

 

Overview

Located about 7 kilometres from the Civil Lines Township in Allahabad, the Triveni Sangam is the junction point of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (which is a mythical river, supposed to have dried up millenniums ago). Both Ganga and Yamuna are extremely revered rivers in Indian mythology, and hence the confluence point of these rivers has attained extremely high religious importance.

According to Hindu mythology, taking a bath in the holy Sangam is supposed to flush away all of the sins of the bather and free him or her from the cycle of rebirth. Also, the Sangam itself is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit. The brownish Ganga meeting the greenish Yamuna is indeed a sight to behold. If you take a boat ride to the gently flowing waters of Ganga and Yamuna, you'll be able to make out the difference in colours of water from the two rivers. There are also makeshift wooden banks made at the Sangam. Hence, devotees who want can take a bath right at the confluence point. The water is clean enough at the Sangam for a bath, especially during the winters; and also not very deep, so it is fun to take a dip in the water here.

The Sangam undergoes a complete transformation and adorns an altogether different look when the world famous Kumbh Mela takes place here. The joy and peace that one finds at the sight of thousands of pilgrims gathered together cannot be described in words, and is an experience that can only be felt.

Religious Significance of Triveni Sangam

The Triveni Sangam is an extremely holy site, and there are many myths associated with it. It is mentioned in the sacred texts multiple times that Saraswati meets Ganga and Yamuna in Prayaga, which is the ancient name for Allahabad. It is also believed that the Saraswati River flows underneath the surface. 

The place is known as Triveni Sangam because this is the point of amalgamation of the three holy rivers, along with the mythological legend that drops of nectar, which can turn mortals to immortals, fell on this spot on the earth during the battle between the Gods and the demons. This makes Allahabad the Tirthraja or The King of Holy Places, and this is also why the Kumbh Mela is organised here. According to myths, the Prakrista Yajna was also performed here by Lord Brahma, and that Lord Rama visited Allahabad when he was in exile.

It is also believed that a dip in the holy waters aids in the purification of the individual, and even releases him or her from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. A lot of pundits sit by the sides of the river and perform different kinds of Pooja for the well being of the families and their prosperity. A lot of people also visit the Sangam for immersing the mortal remains of their loved ones.