About Sangam
Sangam in Hindi language means Confluence. Sangam is the
point of confluence of three holy rivers, the Ganga, the Yamuna and the
Saraswati. Of these three rivers Saraswati is invisible and is said to be
flowing beneath the earth, and gives the confluence its other name ‘Triveni’. One can clearly distinguish
the muddy and pale yellow waters of the Ganga merging with the greenish water
of the Yamuna.
According
to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe performed the “Prakrista Yagna”, here at the dawn to
creation and the name Prayag, or ‘the
place of sacrifice’ was given to this sacred piece of land. Legend has it,
that Lord Indra, in hurry to take away precious jar of the divine nectar that
the Devas (Gods) and the Asuras (Demons) had churned out from the ocean, split
a few drops of the divine Amrita on this spot, making it Teerthraj or “the king of all pilgrimage centers”. As
per writing of Padam Puran, “As the
sun is amongst the moon and the moon amongst the stars likewise Prayag is a
best amongst all places of pilgrimage”.
Thus
this point of confluence is sacred place to the Hindus, as it is of high
religious importance to the Hindus. It is believed that a holy dip at this
scared point will wash away the sins and lead one to attain ‘Moksha’, or ‘Eternal salvation’. It
is the venue of many scared fairs and rituals and attracts thousands of
pilgrims throughout of year. This number swells to millions during the world
famous Kumbh Mela. It is during to Kumbh/Ardh Kumbh that the region truly comes
alive. It is this place where the largest religious gathering on earth takes
place. Around 70 million Hindus from around the world participate in the Prayag
Kumbh Mela.
Besides
its religious importance, the Triveni Sangam also commands a breath-taking view
during sunrise and sunset. As the shimmering rays of the sun blend with the
bluish white water of the Ganga at one end and deep green water of the Yamuna
on the other end, the limitless horizon running across Sangam stirs an aura of
beauty.
