The Sacred Confluence of Alaknanda and Bhagirathi Rivers – Birthplace of the Ganga
Devprayag is the holiest of the five sacred confluences (Panch Prayag) of the Alaknanda River. It is here that the Alaknanda (coming from Badrinath) and the Bhagirathi (coming from Gangotri) rivers meet to form the Ganga — the most sacred river in Hinduism. The confluence point (sangam) is at 472 metres altitude in the Tehri Garhwal district.
The town of Devprayag clings dramatically to the steep hillsides at the confluence. The Raghunath Temple — a thousand-year-old Vishnu temple — stands at the sangam point and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. The sight of the Alaknanda (greenish-blue) and Bhagirathi (grey-blue) rivers merging and becoming the golden-green Ganga is a visually stunning and spiritually moving experience.
October to June is the best period. October–November for pleasant weather and clear water. Avoid monsoon as the rivers flood and bathing may not be safe.
Nearest railway: Rishikesh (70 km). Taxi from Rishikesh on NH58.
Regular GMOU/UPCRTC buses from Rishikesh to Badrinath/Srinagar pass through Devprayag.
70 km from Rishikesh (2.5 hrs). 95 km from Haridwar. On the Rishikesh–Badrinath National Highway.