Triveni Sangam

Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Located at the southern tip of the city near Akbar Fort, it is one of Hinduism's holiest pilgrimage sites and the venue for the Kumbh Mela and annual Magh Mela. Visitors reach the sandy confluence point by boat to witness the distinct colours of the rivers merging and to take a holy dip.

Visitors can expect a wide sandy riverbank and ghats leading to the confluence of two visibly distinct rivers - the brownish Ganga and bluish Yamuna. The actual Sangam point is in the water and is reached by shared or private boats rowed by local boatmen. At the confluence, pilgrims take a holy dip from boats or temporary platforms, priests perform puja, and vendors sell offerings. The area is open with views of Akbar Fort, with crowds increasing during festivals and at sunrise and sunset aarti times.

Prayag, the ancient name for Prayagraj, is mentioned in Vedas and Puranas as a sacred tirtha at the confluence of rivers. The city was an important centre in ancient India. Akbar built the Allahabad Fort in 1583 near the Sangam to secure the strategic river junction. The site has hosted religious gatherings for centuries, evolving into the large-scale Kumbh and Magh Melas documented in historical records.

Triveni Sangam is considered one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism where bathing at the confluence is believed to wash away sins and aid attainment of moksha. It is the main site for the Kumbh Mela, Ardh Kumbh Mela and annual Magh Mela, when millions of pilgrims gather for ritual bathing, prayers and religious discourses. The confluence is revered as the meeting point of Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati.