Prayagraj is a very famous place of pilgrimage in India. It is referred to as ‘King of all Tirthas’. It is also known by the names Sangam Nagari, Kumbha Nagari, Tambu Nagari, etc. It has a history dating million and even billions of years.
The name Prayag comes from the combination of ‘Pra’ and ‘yag’. Pra means first and yag refers to yajna i.e., sacrifice. Lord Brahma is said to have performed the first yajna i.e., sacrifice here after the completion of creation and hence, the name Prayag.
Prayag in Sanskrit also means the confluence of the rivers or sangam. And Prayagraj also means the king of all sangams.
It has been generally called as Prayag anciently and in the scriptures. But the name Prayagraj is also confirmed in the Vedic puranas. One such instance is from the Brahma Purana where it is said:
प्रकृष्टत्वात् प्रयागो असौ प्राधान्याद् राजशब्दवान्
prakrishtt tvaat prayaago asau praadhaanyaad raaj shabdavaan
It means that the name ‘Prayag’ is used owing to its greatness while the suffix ‘raj’ is used along to signify its supremacy and greatness.
prakrshtam sarvebhyah prayaagamiti giyate
drishtvaa prakrshtayaagebhyah pushtebhyo dakshinadibhih
prayaagamiti tannama krtam hariharaadibhih
After looking at the place filled with yajna performance and charity, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and other devatas named it as Prayag.
The Varaha Purana states: “In Prayag there is the Triveni. By bathing there one goes to heaven, and by dying there one gets liberation. It is the king of all tirthas [holy places of pilgrimage] and is dear to Lord Vishnu.”
Lord Brahma has said, prayaagasya pravesheshu paapam naashyanti tatkshanam: “All sins are at once cleansed upon entering Prayag.”
Prayagraj: a brief history
Prayagraj was officially called Allahabad/Illahabad from 1575 CE to 2018 CE. The Government of Uttar Pradesh had renamed Allahabad back to its original name in October 2018. It is an important city in Uttar Pradesh which houses a High Court bench, the University of Allahabad, and many other iconic landmarks. It was the epicentre of the Indian independence movement too.
Prayagraj finds mention as far as the Rig-Veda, Padma Purana, Brahma Purana, Mahabharata, etc. All of the scriptures glorify the greatness of this holy city. It was the seat of great Sages like Bharadwaj Muni, Durvasa Muni, Pannas Muni, etc. It is also said to be the birthplace of Soma, Varuna, and Prajapati.
Its greatness extends beyond our existing knowledge and understanding. The city has been important not only in the Vedic period or in connection to the Vedic scriptures. The post-Vedic period be it the era of Islamic rule or the British rule, all considered Prayagraj and Her Sangam to be of strategic importance.
Triveni Sangam is the holiest attraction
The three sacred rivers of India i.e., Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati converge at Prayagraj of which the Saraswati river is said to be invisible. This converging point is called ‘Triveni Sangam’.
Pilgrims take a bath at this Triveni Sangam whenever they visit Prayagraj, being the most famous place of pilgrimage. The Brahma Purana says that bathing at Prayag in the month of Magha on the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna gives one the result of performing millions of Ashwamedha Yajna.
Prayagraj attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. It is said that one who visits Prayagraj at least once in a lifetime or dies there attains liberation. It is said:
prayagasya praveshshu papam nashwati tatkshanam
It means that all sins are cleansed immediately on entering Prayag.
The world famous Kumbh Mela happens in Prayagraj every six and twelve years. The Kumbh Mela which happens every six years is called Ardh-Kumbh while the one which happens every 12 years is the Maha-Kumbh Mela. It starts on the day of Makara Sankranti when the Sun and Moon enter the sign of Scorpio and Jupiter enters the sign of Aries.
It is believed that the gates of heaven open on the Makara Sankranti day. The Kumbh Mela witnesses’ pilgrims not just in the count of a lakh or two; they can go above ten lakhs. The Triveni Sangam is the star attraction of the Kumbh Mela which sees lakhs of devotees take a dip at the Sangam.
Holy places in Prayagraj
triveni madhaavam somam bharadvaajam ca vaasukim
vande akshayavata shesham prayaagam tirthanaayakam
The presence of many holy places beginning with the most famous Triveni Sangam makes it extremely sacred for devotees. Taking even one step in Prayagraj purifies a devotee of many sinful reactions. These holy places are:
- Triveni Sangam
- Veni Madhav Temple
- Bhardwaj Ashram
- Akshayavat (Patalapuri Temple)
- Alopi Devi Mandir
- Saraswati Koop
- Nag Vasuki Mandir
- Bade Hanuman Mandir (also known as Lete Hanuman Mandir)
- Mankameshwar Mandir
- Lalita Devi Mandir
- Kalyani Devi Mandir
- Khade Hanumanji Mandir
- Dwadash (12) Madhav Temples
- Sri Asi Madhav Mandir
- Sri Adi Vat Madhav Mandir
- Sri Sankasht Har Madhav Mandir
- Sri Shankh Madhav Mandir
- Sri Adi Veni Madhav Mandir
- Sri Chakra Madhav Mandir
- Sri Gada Madhav Mandir
- Sri Padma Madhav Mandir
- Sri Manohar Madhav Mandir
- Sri Bindu Madhav Mandir
- Sri Veni Madhav Mandir
- Sri Anant Madhav Mandir
How to reach Prayagraj
Prayagraj is accessible by air, train, and road. In recent times, the transportation connectivity to Prayagraj has been upgraded heavily. You can travel there using the following means:
- By Air – There are direct flights to Prayagraj from major cities in India. The airport is located at Bamrauli on the outskirts of Prayagraj city.
- By Train – The ‘Prayagraj Junction’ station is well connected by trains from major cities in India and other small cites in Uttar Pradesh. It is the headquarters of North Central railway.
- By Road – National highways and State highways connect the city to other parts of the country. Inter-state bus services are available from the three bus stations of Prayagraj.
Prayagraj: Is there more?
A few words aren’t enough to describe the glories of this glorious transcendental land. There are pages and pages of unending glories of this transcendentally charming tract of land blessed by the Sages and the Gods. It fulfils the desires of devotees who go there whether to seek liberation or just visit the holy dham. If you truly desire to know her at length, she is always ready to guide you.
Praying that the holy dham of Prayagraj reveals more and more of her unending glories in the core of our hearts.
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