Significance of Prayagraj in Hinduism

Prayagraj has been given the title of TirthRaj which means has the honour of being the top most place of pilgrimage for Hindus. For academics purpose, the story of Prayagraj begins with the construction of Prayagraj Fort by Akbar. But for the students of Hinduism, the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati was there since time began. 

Let us begin our story with the first reference to Prayagraj where Brahma performs the first yagna on earth. Location is Dashashwamegh Ghat at Daraganj. He marks the location with the Shivling at Brahmeshwar Mahadev Mandir. Many years later, the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthir performs the Dashashwamegh Yagna at the same ghat. Mahadev Mandir hence houses two shivlings. This mandir was visited by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu where he stayed for 10 days and preached at Dashashwamegh Ghat. 

The banks of Sangam area is a place where sadhus and rishis light the fires of Yagnas and their chants reverberate with the sounds of waters of the fast moving Ganga merging with Yamuna. 

Sangam is the place where Bharadwaj Rishi kept a permanent ashram as a place of learning. When Ram began his exile, he went to visit Bharadwaj for consultation. Prayagraj is also the permanent residency of Vasuki Naag. The dashashwamegh yagna performed by Brahma was witnessed by all Gods. After the yagna was over, when the guests were leaving, Brahma asked Nagvasuki to stay behind. Years later, Nagvasuki plays an important role in Samudra Manthan. 

Any pilgrim who comes to visit Prayagraj has Veni Madav Mandir on their Temples to Visit list. But many of us don't know that there are 12 Madhav Mandirs in Pryagraj. They encircle the city forming a protective circle. Visiting all the 12 Madhav Temples as a pilgrimage or parikrama was a practice followed by Bharadwaj Rishi along with other rishis. This pilgrimage eventually was lost to history. It was periodically undertaken by various religious leaders in recent times, but it was only in 2019 that the Akhara Parishad resumed this pilgrimage in 2019. As a part of the Mahakumbh effort, all the 12 Madav Temples were renovated by the govt. 

Veni Madhav Mandir of Daraganj

Akshayvat Madhav Mandir at Akshayvat Tree (This temple is not visible today)

Anant Madhav - I am still researching and confirming the location of this temple. On Google Maps it has been marked at Dhoomanganj. However historic records show this temple to be part of the Veni Madhav Mandir complex. 

Padma Madhav at Deoria

Asi Madhav at Nagvasuki Mandir at Daraganj

Chakra Madhav at Arail Ghat

Manohar Madhav at Johnston Ganj. This Madhav is housed in the Dravyeshwarnath Mandir which is at least 500 years old. 

Bindu Madhav at Draupadi Ghat

Gada Madhav at Chheoki

Aadi Madhav at Arail region within Sangam waters

Shankh Madhav at Jhunsi

Sankathar Madhav at Jhunsi

Locating the Ghats of Prayagraj

Two of the most iconic rivers of India, Ganga and Yamuna are entering into Prayagraj in their massive forms so this place will have its share of ancient ghats. Many of these ghats are located in the proximity of Triveni Sangam. This place itself can be divided into three zones. First is the Sangam area in front of the Prayagraj Fort or known as Quila. Next is the Arail Ghat stretch and third is the Jhunsi area opposite Sangam. Let us first understand the Arial Ghat area.

Arail Ghat - For those people who are coming from Chheoki area and places from Madhya Pradesh, the best option is not to enter the main city of Prayagraj. While remaining on the outskirts, they can park at Arail Ghat and still visit Sangam in a boat or just take the holy dip at Arail Ghat which is technically still Sangam waters. Arail Ghat recently has got a facelift for Mahakumbh and another ghat has been built nearby, the Surya Ghat. Both ghats have ample space for sitting and parking. They also have pandas or the priests of Sangam to carry out all rituals of Sangam. The entire stretch of Yamuna River and Ganga which moves on to Varanasi has a road running parallel to river front called Arail Ghat Road. Shivalaya Park is also in Arail Ghat Road. 

Jhunsi Portion - This portion of Ganga River Bed is only activated during the Kumbh duration. Otherwise it has a few temples and the famed Samudra Koop. Pilgrims do not use this portion for holy dip.

Sangam Portion

The south portion of Prayagraj Fort has the Yamuna river running along the fort walls. The eastern walls face the sangam area and Ganga River. There are six roads running parallel to the Yamuna river and meeting Ganga. These are Yamuna Patti Road, Akshayavat Road, Mahavir Road, Jagdish Road, Triveni Road and Kali Road. Each of these roads also terminate towards a ghat on the Ganga River. There is a Ganga Ghat, Ram Ghat, Hanuman Ghat, Sri Krishna Ghat, Ayodhya Ghat and Pind Daan Ghat. 

The most iconic place is next to the fort walls called Kila Ghat. Next is VIP Ghat and finally the Pukka Qila Ghat which was inaugurated by the PM before Maha Kumbh. All these ghats are along the Yamuna Patti. The last ghat is the famed Sangam Nose and Sangam Point. 

Behind the Prayagraj Fort is the Yamuna Bank Road which moves in the west direction along the Yamuna River. This road has famous places and ghats like Saraswati Ghat, Mankameshwar Mandir Ghat, Old Yamuna Ghat, Kali Ghat, Boat Club Ghat, Helipad Ghat, Gau Ghat, Baradari Ghat, Balwa Ghatand Bargad Ghat (has an ancient Hanuman Mandir).

Moving North from Sangam you will first reach Shivkoti Ghat via the newly created Ganga Path after crossing Nagvasuki Mandir. Shivkoti is wrongly spelt and pronounced as Shivkuti. Immediately after that is the Mahaveerpuri Ghat which is below the Curzon Bridge. 

Finally as you keep moving along the Ganga River, you will find two ghat, Rasoolabad Ghat which is the official cremation ground of Prayagraj and Draupadi Ghat further ahead. Rasoolabad Ghat has been renamed as Chandrashekhar Azad Ghat but many locals still use the old name. 

Important Temples in Prayagraj

I have covered the two most important temples of Prayagraj which are the Brahmeshwar Mahadev Mandir opposite Dashashwamegh Ghat and the Nagvasuki Mandir. 

In front of the Dashashwamegh Ghat is the Moti Mahal Fort and Palace which is a private complex. But at the edge of this building is the Shree Omkar Ganesh Mandir which is also called Bada Ganesh. Behind Moti Mahal is the Veni Madhav Mandir. Also behind Prayagraj Fort is the Mankameshwar Mahadev Mandir. Within Prayagraj Fort are the Saraswati Koop, Patalpuri and Akshayavat Tree. 

The three important temples are Alopi Devi Mandir, Lalita Devi Mandir and Kalyani Devi Mandir. At the centre of that are the Bharadwaj Rishi Ashram and Bade Hanuman Mandir at Sangam. 

Towards the North of Prayagraj is the ancient Pandeshwar Mahadev Mandir which is also known as Pandila Mahadev. It is believed that Pandavas have built this temple. The month of Sawan sees devotees bring Ganga Jal to the temple every Monday. 

Finally if you are looking for a temple totally away from the hustle bustle of the city of Prayagraj, go to the Kali Ghati Mandir complex in Phaphamau. 

To be continued ...