Triveni Sangam

The Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati at Arail in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the principal bathing site of the city and the venue of the Kumbh Mela cycle, which draws some of the largest gatherings of people in the world. Hindus regard a dip at the confluence as purifying, and pilgrims come year-round, with the largest numbers during the Magh Mela and the Kumbh festivals. Visitors reach the confluence by boat from the ghats near the Allahabad Fort, and the colour difference between the muddy-green Ganges and the clearer blue Yamuna is visible where the two rivers meet. Boats anchor at wooden platforms where pilgrims bathe, make offerings and have rituals performed by priests. Flower sellers, boatmen and priests crowd the shoreline, and visitors should agree on boat prices before departure. The trip usually takes about two hours including the ride and time at the platform. The fort walls rise nearby, and the Akshayavat tree and Patalpuri temple inside the fort are sometimes visited alongside, subject to restrictions. The site is open at all hours, while boats operate from sunrise to dusk. Early morning offers the best light and the most atmospheric rituals, with mist on the water. Water levels and the width of the sandbanks change with the season, so the boat routes and bathing platforms shift. During festival periods, large temporary tent cities appear on the floodplain and traffic is restricted. Visitors should be cautious of touts and should not bathe if the current is strong. The confluence is reached by auto or taxi from Prayagraj Junction, roughly seven kilometres away.