[Omansh Gandhi]

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Prayagraj, the city where prayers find their own way to God, is the metropolis of Uttar Pradesh.
One of the most populated cities in Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj is the home to the “three river
confluence” of Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, known as “Triveni Sangam”.

From the time of Mahabharata to the Mughal Age, Prayagraj has always been of great
importance. Moreover, it is considered the most important pilgrimage to Hindus not just because
of the three holy river confluence, but also because it is the birthplace of Gods Som , Varuna
and Prajapati. But the actual main reason for its great significance is that Lord Brahma chose
this very place to do the Prakrista Yagya at the time of creation and referred to this place as
Tirth Raj. Thus, stating the name Prayagraj.
(Note – Prayagraj was earlier known as Allahabad, which was given to it during the rule of the
Mughal Empire. It was later changed in 2016.)

There are many different cultural tourist spots in the city, like Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir, one of
the two places where you will find Hanuman Ji lying down. Also, places
Like Allahabad Fort, Khusro Bagh etc. Not only this, Prayagraj is the home to one of the most
prestigious universities in India known as Allahabad University. But there is a very specific
reason for crowds bustling right into the city, and that is the Triveni Sangam’s Ganga Aarti.
Ganga Aarti is performed in many different cities and is one of the biggest daily rituals
performed in the country . But the Ganga Aarti in Prayagraj is a bit too extravagant, because of
the Triveni Sangam as watching the aarti while the rivers submerge into each other under the
Yamuna Bridge is a surreal view.

Now the Ganga Aarti takes place everyday between 6:00 and 7:00 pm. It usually begins with the
prayers and offerings to Lord Ganesh, then Ganga Maiyya and then Tirthraj Prayag. Priests
from different ashrams in the city gather for the aarti and light up diyas and blow the conch both
at the beginning and ending of the aarti. Tourists gather to witness the great ganga aarti at
Triveni Sangam everyday but the most special Ganga aarti is during the Maha Kumbh Mela,
which is held every 12 years. The last kumbh mela was in the year 2019. During this Mela, The
Ganga Ghat is turned into a tent city for tourists to stay and religious events to be held every
day for about 3 months. Although the Maha Kumbh Mela takes place every 12 years, the
Kumbh Mela is held every year. This year it was between 15th January and 8th March.
There are many Akhadas prepared for Saints and their disciples, who showcase the feats of
their strength amongst others from around the country. There are also specific dates for Shahi
Snan where everyone takes a dip before the aarti. It is said that bathing in the Triveni Sangam
will wash away all sins and it will free one from the cycle of rebirth. After different activities
performed in the day, the whole Mela freezes to watch the aarti.

This is the beauty of Prayagraj and Sangam, that everyone gets chills down the spine while witnessing this wonderful site.

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