Getting up at Srinagar was one of the best, because after almost a week of getting up as early as 3 am (sometimes even earlier), it was great to wake up leisurely and bask in the early morning sun, watching Alaknanda flow by, and indulge in laziness.
After a good breakfast, we started our journey. By the end of the day, we were expecting to be at Haridwar. On the way, we would visit Devprayag and Rishikesh. Then it would be the time to say goodbye to the Himalayas.
Devaprayag
Devaprayag is the holy place where Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet and from then on, the river is called Ganga. The bus stopped at a higher point and we had to walk some distance down to see the point of confluence. The way there was through a market. It was delightful to see the vibrant market. At the confluence, we can clearly see the two streams of the rivers. Alaknanda, the more wider, sediment laden, fast flowing, coming from the left and Bhagirathi, the slightly narrower, blueish-green, and crystal clear from the right. The meeting of the rivers is heavenly to watch. For some distance, we can see the different colours of the rivers, even after they have merged. They flow together but apart, if you know what I mean! It is only after a few kilometres that the colour of Ganga becomes uniform.
It is possible to take a dip at the confluence. Brother-in-law did that. I simply stood and marveled at the beauty of the hills rising above, and rivers mixing up and forming Ganga. I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity to see this beauty.
Devaprayag is not the only Prayag in Uttarakhand. It is a part of the Panch Prayag. Prayag means confluence or sangam, meeting of rivers. Alaknanda meets 4 other rivers before meeting Bhagirathi at Devaprayag. Each of these confluences is a Prayag.
We did see some of these from afar in our journey through the mountains. These tributaries of Alaknanda form the head waters of Ganga. Originating from different glaciers high up in the Himalayas, they feed the Ganges with pure, life-giving waters. All the water that we see of Ganga, be it at Haridwar, Kanpur or Varanasi come from these beautiful rivers of the Himalayas. Himalayas is as much a giver of life to all of India as are these rivers.
- Vishnuprayag – Here Alaknanda meets Dhauliganaga. Sage Narada is said to have prayed here.
- Nandaprayag – Here Alaknanda meets Nandakini
- Karnaprayag – Here Alaknanda meets Pindar. The Mahabharata warrior Karna had prayed to the Sun God here.
- Rudraprayag – Here Alaknanda meets Mandakini. During the flash floods of 2013, the rushing waters of Mandakini has caused severe damage to the temple, and banks here.
- Devaprayag – Here Alaknanda meets Bhagirathi.
Of course, there is Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad) where Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswathi meet.
From here we started downhill again and after lunch at a local dhaba, reached Rishikesh. Let us leave that for the next post, shall we?
Yes indeed the dip was refreshing and so was the climb to see the temple Raghunathji temple one of the 108 temples of the vaishnava
Legend says River Saraswati flows beneath the temple and hence there was a pool of water.
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How nice. Did not know that!
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I read about Devaprayag first in one of Satyajit Ray’s Feluda novels. Good to know more about it here.
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This post reminded me of the magical moments we had at the confluence of rivers Zanskar and Indus in Ladakh.
As you rightly narrated we can see two rivers flowing together but seperately before becoming one.
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How lucky you are! Maybe one day I will also see Indus river
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Woahhh that is a beautiful video! I caught just a glimpse on my way back from Joshimath.
I didn’t know there were so many confluences. I’ve not been catching up on all the posts. How many days did you say the trip was for?
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Our trip lasted 11 days. Delhi to Delhi.
Yes there are many sangams before ganga finally becomes ganga.
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Looks like a beautiful place. Glad to join your journey virtually
(www.backpacknxplore.com)
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Thank-you sinjana! Glad you joined us.
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I love these posts it feels like I’m there!
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Enjoyed your whole journey through the Char Dham. Reminded me of my trip and also inspires me to visit the two dhams we missed. Great posts, akka!
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Thank you Shashi!
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You must go Shashi! You will love it!
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It is so easy to distinguish the one from the other even as they merge together. It is a beautiful confluence.
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Oh, it is divine!
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That must have been quite the sight. Thank you for the video! 🙂
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Oh it was beautiful.
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