Prayaga Kshetra
(प्रयाग) (Prayagraj) - Triveni Sangam, Prayaga Shakti Peetha and where Sri Rama visited during forest exile
• Meditation:
अङ्गुलीवृन्दं हस्तस्य प्रयागे ललिता भवः । जयन्त्यां वामजङ्घा च जयन्ती क्रमदीश्वरः ॥
- Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 28 (Prayaga has the Prayaga Shakti Peetha where the Anguli Vrinda of Devi had fallen)
भरद्वाजमुखानन्दक राम् ॥ राम् राम् जय राजा राम् । राम् राम् जय सीता राम् ।
- Nama Ramayana - verse 29
(Sri Rama visited the Bharadwaja Ashrama at Prayaga)
देवि सुरेश्वरि भगवति गङ्गे त्रिभुवनतारिणि तरलतरङ्गे । शङ्करमौलिविहारिणि विमले मम मतिरास्तां तव पदकमले ॥
- Ganga Stotram - verse 1 (River Ganga meets river Yamuna at Prayaga)
मुरारिकायकालिमाललामवारिधारिणी तृणीकृतत्रिविष्टपा त्रिलोकशोकहारिणी । मनोऽनुकूलकूलकुञ्जपुञ्जधूतदुर्मदा धुनोतु मे मनोमलं कलिन्दनन्दिनी सदा ॥
- Yamunashtakam - verse 1 (River Ganga meets river Yamuna at Prayaga)
► Triveni Sangama: I meditate on the Triveni Sangama of Prayaga (located on the Ganga - Yamuna - hidden Saraswati sangama).
► Brahma: I meditate on Lord Brahma abiding in the Pratishthana of Prayaga.
► Vishnu: I meditate on Lord Vishnu abiding as Beni Madhava in Prayaga.
► Shiva: I meditate on Lord Maheshwara abiding as Akshaya Vata in Prayaga.
► Devi: I meditate on Devi abiding in Prayaga as the Prayaga Shakti Peetha.
► Rama: I meditate on Sri Rama visiting Prayaga and meeting sage Bharadwaja.
► Pandavas: I meditate on the Pandavas visiting Prayaga during their exile.
► Ganga: I meditate on the sacred river Ganga flowing through Prayaga. (Aarti)
► Yamuna: I meditate on the sacred river Yamuna flowing through Prayaga. (Aarti)
• Stotra: Shakti Peetha Stotram (Prayaga has the Prayaga Shakti Peetha where the Anguli Vrinda of Devi had fallen)
• Stotra: Nama Ramayanam (Sri Rama visited the Bharadwaja Ashrama at Prayaga)
• Stotra: Ganga Stotram (River Ganga meets river Yamuna at Prayaga)
• Stotra: Yamunashtakam (River Ganga meets river Yamuna at Prayaga)
(Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh)
• Greatness:
• Prayaga is a place of great holiness where rivers Ganga, Yamuna and hidden Sarawati meet and create a Triveni Sangam.
• Prayaga is a place of the Trinity [Brahma Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Brahma) - Vishnu Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Vishnu) - Shiva Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Shiva)].
- Lord Brahma lives in the north of Pratishthana (which is known as the Prajapati kshetra). (Matsya Purana)
- Lord Vishnu lives in the form of Beni Madhava. (Matsya Purana)
- Lord Shiva lives in the form of Akshaya Vata. (Matsya Purana)
• Prayaga is also a Devi Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Devi):
- Devi abides in Prayaga as a Shakti Peetha (Seat of Shakti) [Prayaga Shakti Peetha] (Devi Alopi) (Devi Lalita)
• Prayaga is also a Rama Sthalam (Pilgrimage of Rama):
- Sri Rama visited Prayaga during his forest exile and met sage Bharadwaja who had his hermitage in this holy place.
• Prayaga is also a Rishi Sthalam (Place of Rishis):
- Sage Bharadwaja had his ashrama in Prayaga where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile.
• Prayaga is the place where the sacred river Ganga flows and Ganga Aarti is held on its bank. (Ram Ghat)
• Prayaga is the place where the sacred river Yamuna flows and Yamuna Aarti is held on its bank. (Balua Ghat)
• River Yamuna Ghats:
- Saraswati Ghat
- Qila Ghat
- Gau Ghat
- Balua Ghat (Yamuna Aarti)
• Puranic Events:
1. Presence of Triveni Sangama and Akshaya Vata in Prayaga: (Matsya Purana)
• Triveni Sangama is present in Prayaga (Ganga - Yamuna - Saraswati). (Triveni Sangam)
• Akshaya Vata is present in Prayaga. (Akshay Vat)
2. Presence of Trinity in Prayaga: (Matsya Purana)
• Prayaga is the imperishable abode of the Trinity.
- Lord Brahma lives in the north of Pratishthana (Prajapati Kshetra). (Nag Vasuki) (Samudra Koop)
- Lord Vishnu lives in the form of Beni Madhava. (Dwadash Madhavas)
- Lord Maheshwara lives in the form of Akshaya Vata. (Akshay Vat)
3. Presence of Devi in Prayaga: (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)
• Prayaga is identified with the Prayaga Shakti Peetha. (Devi Alopi) (Devi Lalita)
- Where the Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen.
- The Devi there is known as Lalitha and the Bhairava is called Bhavah.
5. Presence of Pandavas in Prayaga: (Mahabharata)
• The Pandavas visited Prayaga during their exile.
6. Presence of Sages in Prayaga: (Valmiki Ramayana)
• Sage Bharadwaja had his ashrama in Prayaga where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile. (Bharadwaj Ashram)
• Dwadash Madhava:
(1) Shankha Madhava
(2) Chakra Madhava
(3) Gada Madhava
(4) Padma Madhava
(5) Ananta Madhava
(6) Bindu Madhava
(7) Manohar Madhava
(8) Asi Madhava
(9) Sankashta Hara Madhava
(10) Adi Beni Madhava
(11) Adi Madhava
(12) Sri Beni Madhava
• Baldev:
- Baldev
• Rama:
- Bharadwaj Ashram
• Hanuman:
- Lete Hanumanji
• Shiva:
- Someshwar Mahadev
• Devi:
- Devi Alopi
- Devi Lalita
- Devi Kalyani
• Others:
- Nag Vasuki
- Samudra Koop
• Places to See (Puranic Places mapping):
The main places in Prayaga are mentioned in the below sloka: त्रिवेणिं माधवं सोमं भरद्वजं च वासुकिम् । वन्देऽक्षयवटं शेषं प्रयागं तीर्थनायकम् ॥
Trivennim Maadhavam Somam Bharadvajam Ca Vaasukim |
Vande-[A]kssaya-Vattam Shessam Prayaagam Tiirtha-Naayakam ||
The main places in Prayaga as per the above sloka are:
1. Triveni (or Triveni Sangam)
2. Madhava (Prayag has Dwadash Madhavas)
3. Soma (or Someshwar Mahadev)
4. Bharadwaja (or Bharadwaj Ashram)
5. Vasuki (or Nag Vasuki)
6. Akshaya Vata (or Akshay Vat)
7. Shesha (or Baldev or Baldau)
Apart from these there are other places like:
1. Lalita Devi temple which is considered as a Shakti Peetha (Prayaga Shakti Peetha)
2. Various other famous temples like Lete Hanuman, Mankameshwar etc.
3. Various Ghats on the bank of rivers Ganga and Yamuna
Presence of Triveni Sangama and Akshaya Vata in Prayaga:
• Triveni Sangama is present in Prayaga (Ganga - Yamuna - Saraswati). (Matsya Purana - 41 to 110)
• Akshaya Vata is present in Prayaga. (Matsya Purana - 104, 106, 111)
• The confluence of River Ganga, River Yamuna and hidden River Saraswati.
The Triveni Sangam is one of the holiest Tirthas.
- The Kumbha Mela is held in the Triveni Sangam every 12 years. The Kumbha Melas have been held in 1989, 2001 and 2013. The next Kumbha Mela is scheduled around 2025.
- An Ardha Kumbha Mela is also held between two Kumbha Melas on the 6th year. The Ardha Kumbha Melas have been held in 1984, 1995, 2007 and 2019.
- The Magh Mela is held in Prayaga every year.
In the Triveni Sangama, the colors of the waters of rivers Ganga and Yamuna can be distinctly identified. The waters of river Ganga is bright in color whereas that of river Yamuna is dark in color.
• Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva reside in Prayaga for protection and removing the sins of people. Lord Brahma lives in the north of Pratishthana. Lord Vishnu lives in the form of Beni Madhava. Lord Maheshwara lives in the form of Akshaya Vata. During the time of dissolution, the twelve Adityas under the refuge of Rudra, burn all the worlds but not the Akshaya Vata. On the leaves of Akshaya Vat which remains even during the Kalpanta (when the universe is destroyed), abides Lord Vishnu. Hence it is termed as Avyaya (Imperishable). That Akshaya Vat is worshipped by the devotees of Vishnu by tying threads.
The Akshay Vat of Prayag is one of the holiest places to visit. As per the Puranas it is an imperishable tree which does not get destroyed at the end of a kalpa. Lord Maheshwara reside in Prayaga in the form of Aksay Vat. After dissolution of the universe Lord Vishnu abides on the leaves of Akshay Vat.
The Patalpuri Mandir (underground temple) near the Akshay Vat has an awe-inspiring environment of holiness with an assemblage of gods, goddesses and sages. It is as if all the gods. goddesses and sages have assembled near the Triveni Sangam and the Akshay Vat in Prayagraj. The Patalpuri Mandir captures the environment of holiness of Prayagraj which the Puranas try to depict.
- Lord Brahma lives in the north of Pratishthana (Prajapati Kshetra). (Nag Vasuki) (Samudra Koop) (Matsya Purana - 111)
- Lord Vishnu lives in the form of Beni Madhava. (Dwadash Madhavas) (Matsya Purana - 111)
- Lord Maheshwara lives in the form of Akshaya Vata. (Akshay Vat) (Matsya Purana - 111)
► Prayagraj - Nag Vasuki (Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh)
• The region of Prayaga from Pratishthanapura to the Vasuki Hrada is known as Prajapati Kshetra. The Nagas like Kambala and Ashwatara reside in Prayaga.
► Prayagraj - Samudra Koop (Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh)
• Samudra Koopa: On the eastern side of river Ganga there is a Samudra Koopa (Oceanic Well) which is near Pratishthana.
• The Samudra Koopa or the Oceanic Well is a wondrous well in Prayagraj. The water of this well is salty like the sea water.
• Prayaga is the eternal abode of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. According to Matsya Purana, Lord Vishnu lives in Prayaga in the form of Beni Madhava. Prayaga is the abode of Dwadash (twelve) Madhavas. The twelve Madhavas are:
1. Shankha Madhava: Near Jhusi and Chatanaga
2. Chakra Madhava: In Arail
3. Gada Madhava: In a temple in Naini
4. Padma Madhava: As a stone in Vikar Devariya
5. Ananta Madhava: Near Akshaya Vat
6. Bindu Madhava: No image. Near Draupadi Ghat
7. Manohar Madhava: In Draveshwarnath Temple
8. Asi Madhava: Near Nag Vasuki Temple
9. Sankashta Hara Madhava: In Jhusi near Hamsa Tirtha and at the base of Sandhya Vat
10. Adi Beni Madhava: In the form of water in Triveni Sangam
11. Adi Madhava: Arail
12. Sri Beni Madhava: In Daraganj
• Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva reside in Prayaga for protection and removing the sins of people. Lord Brahma lives in the north of Pratishthana. Lord Vishnu lives in the form of Beni Madhava. Lord Maheshwara lives in the form of Akshaya Vata. During the time of dissolution, the twelve Adityas under the refuge of Rudra, burn all the worlds but not the Akshaya Vata. On the leaves of Akshaya Vat which remains even during the Kalpanta (when the universe is destroyed), abides Lord Vishnu. Hence it is termed as Avyaya (Imperishable). That Akshaya Vat is worshipped by the devotees of Vishnu by tying threads.
The Akshay Vat of Prayag is one of the holiest places to visit. As per the Puranas it is an imperishable tree which does not get destroyed at the end of a kalpa. Lord Maheshwara reside in Prayaga in the form of Aksay Vat. After dissolution of the universe Lord Vishnu abides on the leaves of Akshay Vat.
• Prayaga is the eternal abode of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. According to Matsya Purana, Lord Vishnu lives in Prayaga in the form of Beni Madhava. Prayaga is the abode of Dwadash (twelve) Madhavas. The twelve Madhavas are:
1. Shankha Madhava: Near Jhusi and Chatanaga
2. Chakra Madhava: In Arail
3. Gada Madhava: In a temple in Naini
4. Padma Madhava: As a stone in Vikar Devariya
5. Ananta Madhava: Near Akshaya Vat
6. Bindu Madhava: No image. Near Draupadi Ghat
7. Manohar Madhava: In Draveshwarnath Temple
8. Asi Madhava: Near Nag Vasuki Temple
9. Sankashta Hara Madhava: In Jhusi near Hamsa Tirtha and at the base of Sandhya Vat
10. Adi Beni Madhava: In the form of water in Triveni Sangam
11. Adi Madhava: Arail
12. Sri Beni Madhava: In Daraganj
Other Places associated with Lord Vishnu:
► Prayagraj - Baldev or Baldau (Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh)
The Baldev or Baldau Mandir is in the north of Nag Vasuki several kilometres away.
• Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva reside in Prayaga for protection and removing the sins of people. Lord Brahma lives in the north of Pratishthana. Lord Vishnu lives in the form of Beni Madhava. Lord Maheshwara lives in the form of Akshaya Vata. During the time of dissolution, the twelve Adityas under the refuge of Rudra, burn all the worlds but not the Akshaya Vata. On the leaves of Akshaya Vat which remains even during the Kalpanta (when the universe is destroyed), abides Lord Vishnu. Hence it is termed as Avyaya (Imperishable). That Akshaya Vat is worshipped by the devotees of Vishnu by tying threads.
The Akshay Vat of Prayag is one of the holiest places to visit. As per the Puranas it is an imperishable tree which does not get destroyed at the end of a kalpa. Lord Maheshwara reside in Prayaga in the form of Aksay Vat. After dissolution of the universe Lord Vishnu abides on the leaves of Akshay Vat.
The Someshwar Mahadev temple of Prayaga has the same legend as the temple of Somnath at Saurastra. It is the penance of Chandradeva to get relieved of his disease of consumption due to the curse of Daksha Prajapati. Refer to this event from Shiva Purana.
Presence of Devi in Prayaga:
• Shakti Peetha: Prayaga is identified with the Prayaga Shakti Peetha.
- Where the Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen.
- The Devi there is known as Lalitha and the Bhairava is called Bhavah. (Peetha Nirnaya Tantra - Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 28)
Devi Alopi temple of Prayagraj is one of the temples identified with the Prayaga Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra. The other temple is the Devi Lalita temple.
Devi Lalita temple of Prayagraj is one of the temples identified with the Prayaga Shakti Peetha mentioned in the Peetha Nirnaya Tantra. The other temple is the Devi Alopi temple.
Presence of Bhakta Hanuman in Prayaga:
► Prayagraj - Lete Hanumanji (Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh)
Lete Hanumanji is a famous temple of Sri Hanumanji in Prayagraj which is very close to the Triveni Sangam.
The Bharadwaj Ashram is located in the Colonelganj area near Anand Bhavan on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, around 3.5 km from the Prayagraj railway station. The ashram has many images including Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Bharadwajeshwar Mahadev Shiva Linga.
The Bharadwaj Ashram is located in the Colonelganj area near Anand Bhavan on Jawahar Lal Nehru Road, around 3.5 km from the Prayagraj railway station. The ashram has many images including Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Bharadwajeshwar Mahadev Shiva Linga.
• Prayaga (Prayagraj) Map:
• Sages:
• Sage Bharadwaja had his ashrama in Prayaga where Sri Rama visited. (Bharadwaj Ashram)
• Sage Markandeya told king Yudhisthira about the greatness of Prayaga.
• Puranic References:
• Matsya Purana (About the greatness of Prayaga)
• Padma Purana (About the greatness of Prayaga)
• Peetha Nirnaya Tantra- Shakti Peetha Stotram - verse 28 (About Prayaga Shakti Peetha)
• Valmiki Ramayana- Ayodhya Kanda - 54 to 55 (About Sri Rama visiting Bharadwaja Ashrama at Prayaga)
• Mahabharata (About Pandavas visiting Prayaga)
• Location:
• Prayag is located in the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh. Prayag can be visited from Varanasi (120 km), Chitrakoot (130 km), Ayodhya (170 km), Lucknow (200 km) and Gorakhpur (300 km).
► Triveni Sangama: I meditate on the Triveni Sangama of Prayaga (located on the Ganga - Yamuna - hidden Saraswati sangama).
► Prayagraj - Nag Vasuki
► Prayagraj - Samudra Koop
► Prayagraj - Someshwar Mahadev
► Prayagraj - Devi Alopi
► Prayagraj - Devi Lalita
• Sri Rama visited the Bharadwaja ashrama at Prayaga.
► Prayagraj - Bharadwaj Ashram