Veni Madhav - the first of the 12 Madhavs who watches over the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj
In the narrow by lanes of Daraganj is an ancient temple dedicated to an avatar of Vishnu. The familiar UP Tourism signboard in yellow and black reads that Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu used to perform his dance and kirtan in the courtyard of this temple around 500 years ago. Why is Veni Madhav called the Nagar Devata of Prayagraj? The story of Veni Madhav is given in Matsya Purana, Agni Purana and Padma Purana. After the great flood Lord Brahma recreated the Universe and to commemorate that event, he organised a yajna which is a vedic ritual for an auspicious beginning. All the Gods and Goddesses came to Prayagraj to participate in this ritual. Even Lord Vishnu is invited who is in between his yog nidra. All the people who are present there request Vishnu to take up permanent residence and presence in Prayagraj as the protector which he agrees to. Actually Brahma conducted a series of 10 yajnas at Daraganj. The place where a Shiv Ling was made by Brahma is now the Sh...