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Prayag (Prayaga)
• Meditation:
► I meditate on Prayaga situated at the confluence of River Ganga, River Yamuna and hidden River Saraswati (Triveni Sangama).► I meditate on Prayaga where Lord Brahma abides in Pratishthana, Lord Vishnu abides as Beni Madhava and Lord Shiva abides as Akshaya Vata.
► I meditate on Prayaga Shakti Peetha where the Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Lalita and the Bhairava is called Bhavah.
► I meditate on Prayaga where Sri Rama visited during his forest exile and stayed in the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja.
► I meditate on Prayaga where the Pandavas visited during their exile.
• Greatness:
• Prayaga is an ancient pilgrimage situated at the confluence of River Ganga, River Yamuna and hidden River Saraswati (Triveni Sangama). Prayaga is a place of great sanctity since it is the eternal abode of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. Prayaga is a Prajapati Kshetra and Yagna Vedi of Prajapati (Brahma). Lord Vishnu abides in Prayaga in the form of Beni Madhava. Lord Maheshwara abides in Prayaga in the form of Akshaya Vata. Apart from this, Prayaga is a Shakti Peetha. There are many Tirthas in Prayaga. Sri Rama visited Prayaga during his forest exile and stayed in the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja. Subsequently, the Pandavas visited Prayaga during their exile. Prayaga is mentioned in many ancient scriptures like the Matsya Purana and the Padma Purana. Prayaga is one of the places where the great Kumbha Mela is organized.
• Puranic Events:
Prayaga: Prayag (Prayagraj district): Triveni Sangama, Eternal abode of Trinity, a Shakti Peetha, Sri Rama visited Bharadwaja Ashrama, Pandavas visited Prayaga, a Place of Kumbha Mela• Prayaga Shakti Peetha [SP-20] → Prayagraj - Devi Alopi Temple and Prayagraj - Devi Lalita Temple
• Puranic References:
► Matsya Purana (MP) → About sage Markandeya telling Yudhisthira about Prayaga (Prayaga)
► Padma Purana (PP) → About sage Markandeya telling Yudhisthira about Prayaga (Prayaga)
► Peetha Nirnaya Tantra (PT) → About Prayaga Shakti Peetha (Prayaga Shakti Peetha)
► Valmiki Ramayana (VR) → About Sri Rama visiting Bharadwaja Ashrama at Prayaga (Bharadwaja Ashrama)
► Mahabharata (MB) → About Pandavas visiting Prayaga
| ► Ancient Period |
1. Triveni Sangama: Prayaga is the confluence of River Ganga, River Yamuna and hidden River Saraswati. (MP) (PP) 2. Lord Brahma abides in Prayaga in the north of Pratishthana. (MP) (PP) 3. Lord Vishnu abides in Prayaga as Beni Madhava. (MP) (PP) 4. Lord Shiva abides in Prayaga as Akshaya Vata. (MP) (PP) |
|---|---|
| ► Period of Devi Sati |
1. Prayaga Shakti Peetha: The Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen here; Devi is known as Lalita and Bhairava is called Bhavah. (PT) |
| ► Period of Sri Rama |
1. Sri Rama visited Prayaga and met sage Bharadwaja in his hermitage. (VR) |
| ► Period of Pandavas |
1. Pandavas visited Prayaga during their forest exile. (MB) 2. Sage Markandeya told Yudhisthira about the greatness of Prayaga. (MP) (PP) |
• Sacred Geography: Confluence of River Ganga, River Yamuna and hidden River Saraswati
• Hermitages: Bharadwaja Ashrama
• Stotras: Ganga Stotram, Ganga Aarti, Yamunashtakam, Yamuna Aarti, Shakti Peethas
• Festivals: Kumbha Mela, Magh Mela
• Places to See:
Fig 1: Prayag - Places to See
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
1. Prayagraj (Prayaga Mandala):
• Greatness of Prayaga: The Matsya Purana and Padma Purana describes the greatness of Prayaga in a conversation between sage Markandeya and king Yudhishthira. The Padma Purana further describes the greatness of Prayaga in a conversation between Lord Shiva and sage Narada. Prayaga is the imperishable abode of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara which does not get destroyed when the universe gets destroyed. In Prayaga, Lord Brahma abides in the north of Pratishthanpur (Jhusi). Pratishthanpur is part of the Prajapati Kshetra and has the yagna Vedi of Lord Brahma. In the Yagna Vedi the Vedas and the Yagnas assume embodied forms. In Prayaga, Lord Vishnu abides as Veni Madhava. Also, in Prayaga, Madhava abides in 12 forms and the waters of Triveni Sangama is the Adi Veni Madhava. Lord Vishnu also abide on the leaves of Akshaya Vata. In Prayaga, Maheshwara also abide in Akshaya Vata.
• Greatness of Prayaga: The Matsya Purana and Padma Purana describes the greatness of Prayaga in a conversation between sage Markandeya and king Yudhishthira. The Padma Purana further describes the greatness of Prayaga in a conversation between Lord Shiva and sage Narada. Prayaga is the imperishable abode of Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara which does not get destroyed when the universe gets destroyed. In Prayaga, Lord Brahma abides in the north of Pratishthanpur (Jhusi). Pratishthanpur is part of the Prajapati Kshetra and has the yagna Vedi of Lord Brahma. In the Yagna Vedi the Vedas and the Yagnas assume embodied forms. In Prayaga, Lord Vishnu abides as Veni Madhava. Also, in Prayaga, Madhava abides in 12 forms and the waters of Triveni Sangama is the Adi Veni Madhava. Lord Vishnu also abide on the leaves of Akshaya Vata. In Prayaga, Maheshwara also abide in Akshaya Vata.
2. Prajapati Kshetra:
• Prajapati Kshetra: The region of Prayaga from Pratishthanapura to the Vasuki Hrada is known as Prajapati Kshetra. The Nagas like Kambala and Ashwatara reside in Prayaga.
• Bhogavati Tirtha: The Bhogavati Tirtha is the (Yagna) Vedi of Prajapati. There the Vedas and Yagnas assume embodied forms. The Rishis perform yagnas there. The Chakravarti kings perform yagnas there.
• Prajapati Kshetra: The region of Prayaga from Pratishthanapura to the Vasuki Hrada is known as Prajapati Kshetra. The Nagas like Kambala and Ashwatara reside in Prayaga.• Bhogavati Tirtha: The Bhogavati Tirtha is the (Yagna) Vedi of Prajapati. There the Vedas and Yagnas assume embodied forms. The Rishis perform yagnas there. The Chakravarti kings perform yagnas there.
3. Triveni Sangam:
• The confluence of River Ganga, River Yamuna and hidden River Saraswati (Triveni Sangam)
The Triveni Sangam is one of the holiest Tirthas and a place where the Kumbha Mela is held every 12 years. An Ardha Kumbha Mela is also held between two Kumbha Melas on the 6th year. The Kumbha Melas have been held in 1989, 2001 and 2013. The next Kumbha Mela is scheduled around 2025. The Ardha Kumbha Melas have been held in 1984, 1995, 2007 and 2019. In Prayaga, the Kumbha Melas are held in the month of Magha. 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.
• The confluence of River Ganga, River Yamuna and hidden River Saraswati (Triveni Sangam)The Triveni Sangam is one of the holiest Tirthas and a place where the Kumbha Mela is held every 12 years. An Ardha Kumbha Mela is also held between two Kumbha Melas on the 6th year. The Kumbha Melas have been held in 1989, 2001 and 2013. The next Kumbha Mela is scheduled around 2025. The Ardha Kumbha Melas have been held in 1984, 1995, 2007 and 2019. In Prayaga, the Kumbha Melas are held in the month of Magha. 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.
6. Dwadash Madhavas:
• Dwadash Madhavas 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
• Dwadash Madhavas 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
7. Someshwar Mahadev:
• 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.
• 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.
8. Bharadwaj Ashram:
• Sri Rama staying in the Bharadwaja Ashrama: At Prayaga Sri Rama stayed at the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja. Sage Bharadwaja told about Chitrakoota to Sri Rama, and the way to go there by crossing river Yamuna. Devi Sita offered prayers to River Yamuna while crossing the river.
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.
• Sri Rama staying in the Bharadwaja Ashrama: At Prayaga Sri Rama stayed at the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja. Sage Bharadwaja told about Chitrakoota to Sri Rama, and the way to go there by crossing river Yamuna. Devi Sita offered prayers to River Yamuna while crossing the river.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.
9. Nag Vasuki:
• The region of Prayaga from Pratishthanapura to the Vasuki Hrada is known as Prajapati Kshetra. The Nagas like Kambala and Ashwatara reside in Prayaga.
• The region of Prayaga from Pratishthanapura to the Vasuki Hrada is known as Prajapati Kshetra. The Nagas like Kambala and Ashwatara reside in Prayaga.
10. Akshay Vat:
• 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.
• 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.
11. Patalpuri Mandir:
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.
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.
12. Baldev or Baldau:
The Baldev or Baldau Mandir is in the north of Nag Vasuki several kilometres away.
The Baldev or Baldau Mandir is in the north of Nag Vasuki several kilometres away.
13. Devi Alopi Temple:
• In Prayaga Shakti Peetha the Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Lalitha and the Bhairava is called Bhavah.
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.
• In Prayaga Shakti Peetha the Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Lalitha and the Bhairava is called Bhavah.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.
14. Devi Lalita Temple:
• In Prayaga Shakti Peetha the Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Lalitha and the Bhairava is called Bhavah.
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.
• In Prayaga Shakti Peetha the Anguli Vrinda (Group of Fingers) of Devi had fallen. The Devi there is known as Lalitha and the Bhairava is called Bhavah.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.
15. Samudra Koop:
• 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.
• 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.
• Sacred Geography:
• Prayag is situated at the confluence of River Ganga, River Yamuna and hidden River Saraswati.• 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).
Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:
1. Stotras2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature