Nandaprayag – A Sacred Panch Prayag of Uttarakhand

Nandprayag was once called Kanvasu, it was named after the great sage Maharshi Kanva, and was also the capital of the Yadu kingdom. Today it is known as a holy town where two rivers, Alaknanda and Nandakini meet. Nandprayag is 1,358 metres above sea level and is surrounded by big green mountains that give the place a peaceful and spiritual feel. This place has been special to Hindus for a long time, as many believe that taking a dip where the rivers meet can help them achieve moksha. Nandprayag isn’t only special for its religious importance but also for its natural beauty with many plants and animals perfect for nature lovers.

Why Nandprayag is a Special Place for Pilgrims

• Uttarakhand has five sacred Panch Prayags and Nandprayag is one of them.
• The other four Panch Prayag are Devprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag and Vishnuprayag
• Many people visit all five Prayags to wash away their sins and achieve moksha.
• Additionally, Nandprayag also got its name from Raja Nanda, who came here to do a big religious ritual called Maha Yajna.
• In Nandprayag, there’s a temple of Goddess Nanda, built on the same stone where Raja Nanda once performed a holy Yajna.
• Many visitors don’t miss the chance to pray at the Nanda temple while on their pilgrimage.
• When you visit Nandprayag, you feel a special kind of peace that you won’t feel anywhere else.

Special Stories Behind Nandprayag

Nandprayag is famous for its spiritual importance. Once, King Nanda did a big Yajna here to ask Lord Vishnu to bless him with a son. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu agreed. At the same time, Devki, Kansa’s sister who was in prison, was also given the same blessing. To make this happen, the gods decided that Vishnu would be born as Krishna to Devki, but Yashoda, King Nanda’s wife, would raise him. Yashoda and Nanda cared for Krishna like their own son. There is also a temple dedicated to Krishna in Nandprayag.

Another reason this place is important is that the great rishi Kanva came here to meditate. Apart from this, it is also believed that King Dushyant married Shakuntala here. All these stories make this place interesting for everyone even those who are not religious.

Paths of Alaknanda and Nandakini

Alaknanda River

This river starts at the Satopanth and Bhagirathi Kharak glaciers and travels nearly 190 km through Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. It is one of the two rivers that forms the Ganga. It flows beside Badrinath Temple, joins Nandakini at Nandprayag, and later meets Bhagirathi in Devprayag, where the holy Ganga begins.

Nandakini River

This 105 km long river starts near the Nanda Ghunti peaks, flows through the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand and finally joins the Alaknanda at Nandprayag. It is one of the five holy rivers that join the Ganga and its valley is a beautiful and peaceful place with green hills all around.

How to Reach Nandprayag

Nandprayag is well connected with a network of roadways to almost all the nearby big and small villages and towns of Uttarakhand. If you are visiting from outside Uttarakhand then here is how you can visit Nand Prayag-

By Road

Nandprayag is easily reachable by road from many major places in Uttarakhand. You can take a bus from ISBT Kashmiri Gate to Rishikesh or Srinagar. From there taxis and buses are available to reach Nandprayag.

By Rail

The closest railway station to Nandprayag is in Rishikesh, which is about 195 km away on NH58. Rishikesh has good train connections with many major places in India. There are many trains to Rishikesh. After that, you can get a bus or taxi to Nandprayag.

By Air

The nearest airport to Nandprayag is Jolly Grant Airport, located 214 km away. It is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Nandprayag has good road connections to Jolly Grant Airport, and you can easily get taxis from the airport to Nandprayag.

Places to Visit near Nandprayag

Chopta

Chopta is a beautiful small hill town about 2.5 to 3 hours away, popular for people who love nature and want some peace. The place is famous mainly for the Tungnath temple, which is the highest Shiva temple on Earth. This place is perfect for a family trip if you want both spiritual peace and some adventure.

Auli

Auli is about 3 hours away by road. You’ll pass through Joshimath and enjoy beautiful views on the way. Auli is very popular for skiing in winter and is also a great place in summer. It’s the perfect peaceful spot for you and your family to relax. Auli Lake is a lovely place to see, and you can continue your journey to the Valley of Flowers, Badrinath Dham, or Hemkund Sahib if you like.

Joshimath

Joshimath is almost 60 km from Nand Prayag, you’ll find a holy Math created by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. The idol of Badrinath stays here during the winter months. When Badrinath is closed for 6 months, the idol is carried in a Doli with lots of joy and celebrations.

Badrinath

The Badrinath Yatra from Nand Prayag is something you should not miss. Badrinath is a very holy place of Lord Vishnu and part of the Char Dham Yatra in India.

Things to Do in Nandprayag

• Nature Walk - Walking in the calm morning or evening is a nice way to enjoy Nandprayag’s greenery. Go for a small hike and enjoy the mountain view with fresh air.
• Explore Village Life - Close to Nandprayag is a quiet village called Bengali. It is not very well known but you can walk there and explore the local life, traditions, and culture.
• Meditation - With its calm atmosphere, Nandaprayag is great spot to relax, meditate and feel refreshed.
• See where the Rivers Meet - Make sure to visit the holy place where the Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers come together. Its best spot for photography and enjoying nature.

Best Time to Visit Nandprayag

• Summer - This is the best time for pilgrims to visit the mountains. From April to mid-June the weather is nice and comfortable for travel. It’s also a good season to see nearby attractions.
• Monsoon - From July to September, travel can be tricky due to rain and changing weather in the hills. But if the weather clears up for a few days, you can travel by road carefully. This time is less crowded.
• Winter - October to March is winter in Nand Prayag. Less people visit, but the spiritual vibe stays the same. It gets very cold, sometimes as low as 0°C, so bring warm clothes to stay comfortable during your trip.

Accommodation

Hotels

You can find many hotels near Nandprayag, with budget options to fancy ones, including deluxe and super deluxe rooms. These hotels have all the basic facilities and free parking. You just need to choose one that is suitable for your budget.

GMVN

The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has also established a guesthouse for visitors where people can choose to stay between dorm room facilities and private rooms. The per night price here is extremely affordable and is a good option to stay if you are travelling on a budget. They also have a built-in restaurant providing food services along with a clean and hygienic stay.

Food Facilities

There are a few places to eat here like Dhabas and restaurants they provide both Chinese and North Indian food.
Make sure you try local Pahadi dishes like Gahat Ki Daal, Chainsoo, Aloo Ke Gutke and Bhang Ki Chutney.
Most places are budget-friendly so you can enjoy tasty food without spending a lot.

Conclusion

Nandprayag is a peaceful town in Uttarakhand where Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers meet. It’s known for its temples, holy stories, green hills and fresh air. Pilgrims visit to pray, bathe in the rivers, and enjoy the calm nature. Best time to visit is from April to June when the weather is pleasant. If you like cold weather winter is also a good time to come. There are lots of places to stay here, from budget friendly guesthouses to nice hotels. You can enjoy local Pahadi food like Gahat Ki Daal and Chainsoo at small restaurants and Dhabas along with Chinese and North Indian dishes. Whether you visit for spiritual reasons or to enjoy nature Nandprayag gives you a calm and peaceful feeling you won’t forget.