DivyaDesam– Lord Vishnu | One of the DivyaDesamVishnuSthalam |
Region | Vada Naadu |
Vada Naadu | 4rdVishnuSthalam |
HISTORY:
Deva
Prayag/ Pancha Prayag is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located at
the confluence of river Alakananda and Bhagirathi in Tehri Garhwal,
Uttarakhand. This is one of the oldest temples of Lord Vishnu consecrated by
Sri Adi Sankara. The First Divyadesam as one travels from Haridwar to Badrinath
is Devaprayag. This Kshetram is also called as "Thirukkandam" and
also as "Kadi Nagar". It lies about 45 miles away from Rishikesh to
Badrinath and about 1700 feet above the sea level.
Prayag
means the place where two divine rivers mingle together. Devprayag meaning
“Godly confluence”. The Bhagirathi and Alakananda meet to form the holy Ganges
which comes down as Aadi Ganga. This place is also called as “Tirukkandam” and
“KandvennumKadinagar”. Ancient name to this place is
"SudarshanaKshetra". It is one of the five sacred confluences in the
hills and is an important place of pilgrimage for devout Hindus and
SriVaishnavites.
The
Alakananda arising at the Satopanth and Bhagirath Kharak glaciers near the
border with Tibet and Bhagirathi at Gaumukh at the foot at the Gangotri glacier
and Khatling glacier in the Garhwal Himalaya merge together at this place.
Situated at the confluence of the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi, the town of
Devaprayag lies at an elevation of 830m (2723 feet).
Traditionally,
it is considered to be the place where sage Devasharma led his ascetic life in
Satayuga, and succeeded in having a glimpse of God giving birth to its present
name, Devprayag. Lord MahaVishnu gave vardaan to DevSharma that he would reside
at this place forever. Lord Rama too had given pindadaanam to King Dasharatha
at this place.
Religious ablutions take place at 2 basins excavated in the rock at the
junction of the holy streams - The confluence has Brahma Kund on Bhagirathi
River and Vasishta Kund on Alaknanda River. Due to heavy monsoon rains the kund
was completely submerged by Ganga water. Also, we could not see the the clear
color distinction between the two rivers one generally observes. The river was
flowing very fast.
The
Raghunath temple, with katyur architecture is enshrined with Lord Rama (also
known as Purushothaman, Venimaadavar and NeelaMega perumal), whose height is 6
foot in Gaandhar style captures the attention of every visitor. The temple is
built of huge stones. It stands upon a terrace in the upper part of the town
and consists of an irregular pyramid capped by a white cupola with a golden
ball and spire known as Mangala Vimaanam. The temple is surrounded by hills:
Dasarathanchal in front, Narasimhachal to right and Giridhachal where the
temple is located. It is believed both Lord SriRama and Dasharatha did penance
at Devprayag. Rama and Lakshmana performed a yajna here to atone to kill
Ravana, who was a Brahmin. It is one of the 108 Divya kshetrams for
Srivaishnavas to visit.
Dasharathachal
Peak, contains of a rock, known as Dashrathshila, on which Raja Dasharath is
said to have led a life of penance. A small stream, the Shanta running down
from the Dasharathachal, is named after Shanta, the daughter of Raja Dasharath
and is considered to be sacred. One will have to walk close to 10-15 minutes to
reach the temple premises. We crossed over the bridge. Before climbing stairs
to the temple, take a diversion towards the right to reach the bathing ghat.
It
is said that the Pandavas, after the Kurukshetra war, acquired the sin of
slaughtering their own kin. To get rid of this, Rishi Markandeya said that it
was sufficient for them to take a holy dip at Devaprayag and other prayags
among the Pancha Prayag.
Anna
daanam at this place is highly auspicious. The Raja Swethakethu had done lot of
dharmic anushtans, except anna daanam (even after annadanam having been
emphasized by many maharshis). After having reached higher lokas, he started
feeling terrible hunger. He requested Brahma to appease his hunger. Then Brahma
suggested that he go back to the earth and undergo a specific remedy
(upahaaram), which did not work. Next, a muni suggested that he bathe in the
prayags. This too, did not work. Finally, he met Agastya muni at Devaprayag.
Agastya muni suggested that he perform Annadanam at Devaprayag. When he said
that he is unable to do it because he already has a Deva sharira, Agastya muni
explained that it is enough for him to have something to give, which can be
used to perform that Annadanam. When he had nothing Agastya muni told him to
give the fruits of all his Punyas. When Swethaketu did this, Annadanam was
performed on his behalf at Devaprayag, following which his hunger was satiated
and he obtained Moksham. It is said that Devaprayag is a spot where intense
meditation for one Ghatika (i.e, 24 minutes) suffices to remove all sins and
achieve one's objectives and even moksham. The two other Ghatikaachalams being
Sholingur (Thirughatikai) and Thirukkadiththaanam (in Kerala).
The
Banyan tree here is of very high importance. The Banyan tree is a holy tree
worshipped by Hindus. It is said all Brahma, Vishnu (as Venimadhava) and
Maheshwara (as Aadalangeshar) reside in this tree and hence it is considered
very auspicious. The pradakshina of this tree during sunrise is of high spiritual
importance.
The
Lord Raghunatha is adorned with the following color of vastram on each specific
day: White (Monday and Friday), Red (Tuesday and Sunday), Green (Wednesday) and
Black on Saturday.
Perialwar
says in his pasuram that the smoke from the Yagnas' agni kunds, used to spread
on both the shores of the river Ganga here. There is a witness to Lord
Raghunatha here. Sri Rama after killing Ravana, came here and meditated to wash
off the sin arising out of killing Ravana. As we proceed to the temple after a
bath in the river, we can notice the Footprints of Sri Rama on a huge rock. We
now get into the temple, whose staircase is quite steep and high. In the temple
we see Sri Purushottama. We can also see the rock seat on which Sri Rama
meditated. It has a backrest also. We also see a big Vata vruksham [banyan
tree]. This tree is existing for many thousands of years.
Lord
here is in Chaturbhujam (4 hands), Nindra tirukkolam (standing posture) and is
facing his Thirumugam (face) towards the east direction. A bow and arrow of Sri
Rama is kept near the vigraham. Prathyaksha darshanam was given to Bharadwaja
Maharshi and Brahma. The Thayaar found in this kshetram is Pundareekavalli (Sri
Vimala --- Seetha thayaar). The garbhagriham also has vigraham of Badri
Narayan. The utsava murthi is Sri Rama accompanied by Sita, Lakshmana and
Hanuman. The utsava murthis are kept in Ram Gaddi during important festival
days. Sri Adi Shankaracharya installed the idol of Raghunath.
Just outside the main sanctum on the right side there are idols of Ganesha and
Bhuvaneswari. On the left side, there is an idol of Hanuman holding Sanjeevani
Parvath. Opposite to Hanuman, there is a small idol of Vamana, placing His feet
on Bali’s head. On the outer side of the Prakaaram, there are idols of Lord
Narasimhar and Annapurna. There are shrines for Hanuman, Adi Sankaracharyar
(near Ram gaddi) and Lord Shiva (as Rama was Shiva’s devotee).
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Neelamega Perumal |
|
Ambal |
Sri Pundareegavalli |
|
Theertham |
Mangala Theertham,Ganga River Theertham |
The
Lord here is said to help his devotees in distress.
Vaikunda Ekadasi in
December-January is grandly celebrated in the temple.
HOW
TO REACH:
The
First Divyadesam as one travels from Haridwar to Badrinath is Devaprayag. This
Kshetram is also called as "Thirukkandam" and also as "Kadi
Nagar".
It
lies about 45 miles away from Rishikesh to Badrinath and about 1700 feet above
the sea level.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Neelamega Perumal
Temple,
Devaprayag,
Thirukkandam,
Kadi Nagar.
LOCATION:
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