Devprayag

Devprayag is a town at a river confluence in Uttarakhand, India, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi join to form the Ganges. The settlement spreads over steep slopes above the rivers, with narrow lanes connecting stone houses, temples, and stairways descending to the water.

The settlement grew centuries ago as a pilgrimage site around the point where the two rivers meet and form the Ganges. After a major earthquake in the early 19th century, many buildings were rebuilt, with religious structures given priority in the reconstruction.

The name means "divine confluence" and reflects the sacred status locals assign to the meeting point, where pilgrims gather throughout the year to pray and bathe. Stone steps lead down to the water, where visitors watch devotees perform rituals and offer prayers at the river's edge.

The town sits on a national highway reachable by bus from Rishikesh in around two hours, with the journey passing through mountain terrain. The best time to visit is outside the monsoon season, when paths stay dry and the rivers flow more calmly.

The two rivers maintain different color tones before blending, with the greenish water of one flowing beside the clearer water of the other. This visible contrast persists for some distance before the currents merge completely.