Prayag or Prayaga

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.

• Prayaga is specially protected by Vasava (Indra).
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• Hari protects the entire Prayaga Mandala accompanied by the devas.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• The region of the Prayaga which is protected by the Devas removes all sins and is auspicious. An Adharmic person cannot enter Prayaga. By remembering Prayaga, as well as by seeing it, glorifying it and touching its soil, the sins of a person gets destroyed.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• During the time of dissolution, when the whole universe is one with water, Lord Vishnu abides in Prayaga and performs yagna again and again.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Ten thousand renown Tirthas and six crore other Tirthas visit Prayaga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106)

• The Prayaga Mandala is spread over an area of five yojanas.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 108) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

• It is said that the entire universe abides in Prayaga where Brahma, Vishnu, Ishana and other Devatas abide.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 111)

• At the end of the Kalpa, Rudra destroys the entire universe but Prayaga does not get destroyed.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 111)

• 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. All Devas with Gandharvas, Siddhas and Rishis protect Prayaga and remove the sins. Prayaga is Prajapati Kshetra.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 48)

• Prayaga is the Tirtha Raja (King of Tirthas) whose two arms are adorned with white and darks rivers Ganga and Yamuna like two chamaras (fly-whisks), and which is shaded by Akshaya Vata like a chatra (umbrella).
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 23)

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.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• 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.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 110) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 47)

1. Triveni Sangam:

• Greatness of the confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and hidden Saraswati:

○ A person who is truthful (Satyavadi), free from anger (Jitakrodha), follower of non-violence (Ahimsha) and follower of Dharma becomes free of all faults if he takes bath in the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

○ Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Rishis, Siddhas and Charanas always visit the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Hari abides there along with Prajapati.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

○ During the month of Magha, sixty six thousand Tirthas assemble at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 107) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

○ A person who takes bath in the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna during Lunar Eclipse gets freed from all sins and earns great merit.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 107)

○ The confluence of Ganga and Yamuna is considered as the hip (Jaghana) of the Earth (supporting the Earth).
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 110) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 47)

○ Where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet, by taking bath and drinking its water, human beings attain Mukti. There is no doubt in this.
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 23)

○ Those who bathe in Prayaga during the month of Magha, they obtain uncountable merits.
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 24)

Triveni Sangama 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.

2. River Ganga:

• Greatness of river Ganga:

○ The river Ganga is protected in Prayaga by sixty thousand armed warriors.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

○ Wherever Ganga flows through many Tirthas, it should be considered as Siddhakshetra.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106)

○ Ganga redeems Humans on Earth, Nagas in the Nether Worlds and Devas in Heaven. Hence Ganga is known as Tripathaga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

○ Ganga is easily accessible in many places but difficult of access in three places - Gangadwara, Prayaga and Ganga Sagara. By taking bath in these places people go to heaven. By meeting death in these places people are freed from rebirth.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

○ Those whose minds are filled with sins and are struggling for redemption, there is no greater refuge than river Ganga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

○ The Ganga which has fallen from the head of Maheshwara, is the most pure among the pure and most auspicious among the auspicious.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

○ The region around river Ganga in Prayaga is known as Siddhakshetra because of its spiritual glory.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 110) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 47)

3. River Yamuna:

• Greatness of river Yamuna:

• The river Yamuna is protected in Prayaga by Savita who is mounted on a chariot with seven horses.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• The Nagas Kambala and Ashvatara live on the bank of river Yamuna on the southern bank.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• The river Yamuna, the daughter of the Sun, has also come from the same source as Ganga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 108) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

Spiritual activities to perform:

• Spiritual activities: The Matsya Purana and Padma Purana describes the spiritual activities to perform in the Tirthas. They are summarized below:

○ Bathing in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna
○ Offering oblations to the Pitrs and Devas
○ Performing Dana
○ Fasting
○ Performing Vratas in Prayaga
○ Performing Tapas in Prayaga (Japa, Meditation etc.)
○ Atoning sins in Prayaga
○ Listening to the greatness of Prayaga
○ Sprinkling holy waters of the Tirthas
○ Remembering Prayaga while dying
○ Dying in Prayaga

• To avoid:

○ Pilgrims should not accept charities in Prayaga.
○ Pilgrims should not use vehicles but should perform the pilgrimage on foot.

• Merits:

○ By performing spiritual activities in the Tirthas, the sins of a person gets destroyed and the person becomes pure. The person may then become eligible to go to heaven after death. After decline of the merit the person falls from heaven and is reborn on earth. However, he is born as a good person with sufficient comforts in life. In that life he again remembers Prayaga, goes there and increases his merit. In this way his journey towards moksha continues.

(Ref: Matsya Purana - 103 to 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 40 to 48)

1. Dwadash Madhavas:

• Dwadasha 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 dwadasha (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

1. 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.

1. Bharadwaj Ashram:

• Sri Rama enquiring about a place to stay: At Prayaga Sri Rama visits the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja. Sage Bharadwaja extends his hospitality and tells him to stay there. But Sri Rama asks for a suitable place to stay far off from Ayodhya (where the people of Ayodhya will not come).
(Ref: Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 54)

• Sage Bharadwaja telling about Chitrakoota: Sage Bharadwaja tells about Chitrakoota mountain which is at a distance of dasha kroshas (interpreted as sixty miles) from there. The sage then describes the beauty and holiness of that mountain. As long as a man sees Chitrakoota mountain, no sin will cross his mind, and he will only perform good deeds. On that mountain the sages meditated for hundred years and ascended to the abode of Shiva (i.e. became liberated). The mountain forest is filled with fruits and vegetation, rendered charming with the sounds of peacocks, cuckoos and other birds, where elephants and deers roam about, where Kinnaras and Nagas visit and which has many caves, waterfalls and other scenic beauties.
(Ref: Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 54)

• Sri Rama spending a night in the Bharadwaja Ashrama: Sri Rama spends a night in the hermitage of sage Bharadwaja.
(Ref: Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 54)

• Sri Rama crossing river Yamuna: Sri Rama crosses river Yamuna by preparing a raft of wood.
(Ref: Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 55)

• Devi Sita praying to river Yamuna: Devi Sita offers prayers to river Yamuna in the middle of the river.
(Ref: Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 55)

1. 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.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

The presence of Nag Vasuki in Prayaga is thus mentioned in the Puranas.

1. 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. All Devas with Gandharvas, Siddhas and Rishis protect Prayaga and remove the sins. Prayaga is Prajapati Kshetra.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 48)

• The (Akshaya) Vata in Prayaga is always protected by Shulapani Maheshwara (i.e. Maheshwara with Trident in hand).
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• During the time of dissolution, the twelve Adityas under the refuge of Rudra, burn all the worlds but not the Akshaya Vata.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• 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.
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 24)

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.

2. 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.

1. Baldev or Baldau:

The Baldev or Baldau Mandir is in the north of Nag Vasuki several kilometres away.

1. 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.
(Ref: Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)

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.

2. 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.
(Ref: Peetha Nirnaya Tantra)

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.

1. Samudra Koop:

• Samudra Koopa: On the eastern side of river Ganga there is a Samudra Koopa (Oceanic Well) which is near Pratishthana.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

The Samudra Koopa or the Oceanic Well is a wondrous well in Prayagraj. The water of this well is salty like the sea water.