Raghunathji Temple, Devprayag – Legends

Raghunathji Temple, Devprayag – Legends

Lord Rama performed penance here:

As per Hindu legend, the temple is associated with the times of Ramayana. Raghunathji (Rama, an avatar of Vishnu) is believed to performed penance at this place to relieve himself off the curse committed by killing Ravana, a Brahmin demon king. 

Lord Brahma performed penance here:

Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, is once believed to have performed penance at this place and the place came to be known as Prayaga, meaning the best place to do penance.

Lord Vishnu lives in the leaves of Banyan Tree here:

As per the same legend, the Vataka tree (Banyan tree) in the place would withstand all earthly disasters and would remain through ages. Vishnu is believed to reside in the leaves of the tree. 

Pandavas performed penance here:

The Pandavas performed penance at this place before the Mahabharata war.

Sage Bharadwaja performed penance here:

Sage Bharadwaja is also believed to have performed penance at this place and became of the seven sacred sages, the Saptarishis.

Deva Prayag:

The Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river mingle together in this place and comes down and is called as Aadi Ganga. Prayag means the place where two rivers mingle together and since two deva (holy) rivers mingle together, it is called as Deva Prayag.

Adhi Sankarar installed the idol here:

It is believed that the Idol of Raghunathji is said to be installed by Sri Aadhi Sankarar.

Sage Deva Sharma led his ascetic life here:

Traditionally, it is considered to be the place where sage Deva Sharma led his ascetic life, giving birth its present name, Devprayag. It is one of the five sacred confluences in the hills and is an important place of pilgrimage for devout Hindus.