PANCH PRAYAG

In India, rivers are revered as goddesses and there is a special sanctity attached to the confluences of rivers. Panch Prayag- five such confluences are located in the Garhwal region of the Himalayas. The five prayags are Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag & Deoprayag. They mark the different meeting points of the Bhagirathi, Alakananda, Mandakini, Dhauliganga, Pindari and Vishnuganga.

HARIDWAR, RISHIKESH, UTTARAKASHI

Haridwar is rightly called the gateway to the Gods, since this is the place where the pilgrimage to two famous temples Kedarnath (Lord Shiva) and Badrinath (Lord Vishnu) begins.Situated on the banks of river Ganga, at the foothills of Shivalik mountains,this was the place of meditation for sages and rishis and is one of the four places where Kumbh mela is held every 12 years. Places of interest nearby are Har-ki-Pauri, Ram Krishna Mission Seva Ashram, Gurukul Kangri University, Sapta Rishi Ashram, Bharat Heavy Electricals Factory, Mansa Devi Temple,etc.

Rishikesh, the spiritual town,is situated 24 kms upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga. According to mythology, the sage Raibhya Rishi sat on the banks of the Ganga and performed severe penance. He was rewarded when the lord appeared in the form of Rishikesh, thus giving the place its present name. Triveni Ghat, Bharat Mandir and Laxman Jhula are some of the places of interest in Rishikesh.

Uttarakashi is a big town and is situated near the river Bhagirathi. This historic town has lot of ancient monuments and temples. The most famous temples is Lord Viswanath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are lot of similarities with town of Kashi and hence the name.