Raghunathji Temple, Devprayag – Religious Significance

Raghunathji Temple, Devprayag – Religious Significance

Devaprayag, the confluence where the temple is located, is counted out as one of the five famous confluences of Ganga in the Himalayas, called Panch Prayag. These are centers of great religious influence and prominent pilgrimage centers. The temple finds mention in four of the eighteen sacred Puranas, namely the Padma Purana, Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana and Agni Purana. The temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7^th – 9^th century Vaishnava canon, by Periyalvar, Peyazhwar, Nammazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar and Thirumalisai Alvar. The temple is classified as a Divyadesam, one of the 108 Vishnu temples that are mentioned in the book. Periyalvar is the only Alwar who has done Mangalasasanam on Lord Vishnu of this Temple in 11 Paasurams.

Periyalvar, in his verses praising the glory of Tirukkandam as a shrine on the banks of the Ganges. These verses state that Vishnu enshrined in Mathura, Salagramam, Dwaraka, Ayodhya and Vaikuntam is the same as the one (Purushottaman) enshrined in Tirukkandam or Kadinagar. Devaprayag is considered to be Tirukkandam or Kadinagar. The temple along with Devprayag was originally a larger pilgrimage centre before the 19^th century. On account of increased connectivity for Badrinath Temple in modern times, the temple has turned into a secondary pilgrimage centre. It is believed that Adi Shankara, the proponent of Advaita philosophy established the temple. A shrine is dedicated to him in the temple.