Triveni Sangam

The Triveni Sangam is an extremely holy site, and there are many myths associated with it. It is mentioned in the sacred texts multiple times that Saraswati meets Ganga and Yamuna in Prayaga, which is the ancient name for Allahabad. It is also believed that the Saraswati River flows underneath the surface.

The place is known as Triveni Sangam because this is the point of amalgamation of the three holy rivers, along with the mythological legend that drops of nectar, which can turn mortals to immortals, fell on this spot on the earth during the battle between the Gods and the demons. This makes Allahabad the Tirthraja or The King of Holy Places, and this is also why the Kumbh Mela is organised here. According to myths, the Prakrista Yajna was also performed here by Lord Brahma, and that Lord Rama visited Allahabad when he was in exile.

It is also believed that a dip in the holy waters aids in the purification of the individual, and even releases him or her from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth. A lot of pundits sit by the sides of the river and perform different kinds of Pooja for the well being of the families and their prosperity. A lot of people also visit the Sangam for immersing the mortal remains of their loved ones.

Like most religious sites in India, you need to be extremely careful while talking to the pandits here. If you are here for any religious poojas to be performed, be sure to talk to the pandits about how much they will charge you before actually asking them to do anything for you - otherwise they will almost certainly quote an absurdly high amount after the pooja. Do remember that the bargaining is extremely heavy - if they quote 1,000 for something you might be eventually be able to get it done for 100.

If you are not here for any religious purpose, and just want to visit the confluence point for pleasure, be very clear with the pandits and stay totally clear of them - while being as respectful as possible. The pandits here are highly revered, and they frequently team up with the boatmen, so if you are rude to them you might end up having to fight with everyone around you. For the same reason, a lot of boatmen who ferry you to the Sangam might try to force you to get some pooja or the other done - unless you really want to do that, be very clear that you don't want any religious services at all.

For boating, the bargaining will start with an absurd amount - say 2,000 for a 1-hour boat ride - but if you bargain heavily you should be able to hire a full boat for a round-trip ride to Sangam for no more than 500.

The Triveni Sangam is as famous for sightseeing as it is for performing various poojas. Platforms have been constructed in the middle of the Sangam where one can perform poojas like Shraddh and Narayan Nagbali. Many Puranas and Kathas are also narrated here. The confluence offers breathtaking views not only of the merging waters but also of the Allahabad Fort that had been constructed by Akbar, the New Yamuna Bridge and white birds floating happily on the water.

Owing to the religious significance of the place, the Kumbh Mela that takes place here is of an altogether different level and attracts thousands and thousands of devotees from all across the nation. Millions of these devotees happily leave behind all pleasures of a comfortable life to take a bath at this holy confluence during the majestic Kumbh Mela that takes place every twelve years.

It is believed that a bath in these pure waters increases the bather's purification by hundred times. When this holy bath is taken during the special dates that have been assigned for spiritual bathing at the time of the Kumbh Mela, the influence is thousand times stronger. Thousands of devotees also visit the Kumbh Mela for purposes other than purification; they offer pind to their deceased parents and get numerous poojas performed for their prosperity and well being.

The Kumbh Mela attracts tourists not only from India but from all across the world, who are fascinated with the culture and traditions of India and get a chance to witness these processions in all their grandeur.

Carry camera, torch light and fully covered clothes, proper footwears, munchies, beverages and water along.

Well connected through main city via all means of transport. The most comfortable way is to book an Ola cab which will drop you to the banks of Sangam, from where you can take a boat/ferry. Otherwise, you can take a tempo/auto-rickshaw to reach there as well.

From the banks, you can hire a full boat for a return trip to the Sangam area (keep in mind you'll have to bargain heavily - during off-peak season, a full boat ride shouldn't cost more than Rs 400 for the return trip)