Prayāgrāj — Triveṇī Saṅgam

Gaṅgā, Yamunā and the hidden Sarasvatī · Uttar Pradesh

At Prayāgrāj the Gaṅgā and Yamunā meet, and tradition says the invisible Sarasvatī joins them underground — the Triveṇī Saṅgam. Prayāg is called Tīrtharāja, “king of tīrthas”. Pilgrims take a boat to the meeting point to bathe, where the two rivers’ colours can often be seen side by side.

Besides the Kumbh, the annual Māgh Melā (January–February) brings kalpavāsīs who live simply by the river for a month of prayer and bathing. The Kumbh here falls when Jupiter is in Taurus (Vṛṣabha) and the Sun in Capricorn (Makara). An Ardh Kumbh is held midway between Kumbhs.

Tradition says Brahmā performed a great sacrifice at Prayāg after creating the world, which is how the place got its name (pra-yāga, “the foremost sacrifice”). The Rāmāyaṇa describes Rāma, Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa visiting the āśrama of the sage Bharadvāja here on their way into exile.

Uttar Pradesh · Jupiter in Taurus · Māgh Melā · Mauni Amāvasyā

Holy Places and Pilgrimage · Ask a Jyotishi your own question