Devprayag is a sacred Himalayan town where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge to form the holy Ganga, making it a powerful destination for spiritual travel and riverside serenity. Ringed by steep hills and colourful ghats, it offers pilgrims and offbeat travellers an authentic Garhwali experience.
Tourism in Devprayag
Tourism in Devprayag revolves around pilgrimage, river confluence views, and temple visits rather than commercial hill‑station attractions. Travellers come to witness the striking colour contrast of the two rivers, perform snan and rituals at the sangam, meditate on the ghats, and explore ancient shrines scattered across the town’s stepped lanes.
Location
Devprayag lies in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand on the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway, at an elevation of about 830 metres above sea level. It is the last and most important of the Panch Prayag (five confluences of the Alaknanda), about 70 km from Rishikesh and 90 km from Narendra Nagar, surrounded by the peaks of Giddhanchal, Dashrathanchal and Narsinghanchal.
History
The town is named after sage Dev Sharma, who is believed to have performed intense penance here and received a divine vision, giving the place its name, “Devprayag” – the godly confluence. Traditionally, it has been the seat of the pandas (priests) of Badrinath Dham and a key stop on ancient pilgrimage routes through Garhwal, with references to the confluence found in sacred texts and local legend.
Fairs and Festivals
Devprayag celebrates major Hindu festivals such as Makar Sankranti, Basant Panchami, Ram Navami, Holi and Diwali with special rituals on the ghats and in its temples. Periodic religious gatherings and melas at the sangam draw pilgrims who take holy dips, offer puja, and participate in bhajan‑kirtan, giving the small town a vibrant devotional atmosphere.
How to reach
Devprayag is well connected by road along the main Char Dham highway: regular buses and shared jeeps run from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Srinagar Garhwal. The nearest railway station is Rishikesh (about 70 km), with Haridwar as a major alternative hub, while Jolly Grant Airport near Dehradun (roughly 90 km) is the closest airport; from all three points, travellers continue by road to the town.
Tourist attractions
- Sangam (Confluence Viewpoint): The main attraction, where the turquoise Alaknanda and darker Bhagirathi meet; multiple ghats and viewpoints allow stunning views and ritual bathing.
- Raghunathji (Raghunath) Temple: Ancient temple dedicated to Lord Rama, considered the town’s principal shrine, reached by stone steps from the bazaar and ghats.
- Chandrabadani, Dhaneshwar Mahadev and other nearby temples: Important regional shrines often visited as part of wider pilgrim circuits around Devprayag.
- Dashrathachal Peak & local viewpoints: Hilltops linked with King Dashrath of Ayodhya, offering panoramic views of the river valleys and town.
- Old bazaars and stepped lanes: Traditional Garhwali houses, small shops and ashrams provide excellent walking routes for cultural exploration and photography.
Cuisine of Devprayag
Cuisine in Devprayag reflects simple Garhwali and North Indian vegetarian food, aligned with its religious character. Local eateries and dhabas serve dishes like aloo ke gutke, mandua or wheat rotis, bhatt ki dal, rajma‑chawal, seasonal saag and kadhi, along with chai and sweets such as jalebi and peda enjoyed by pilgrims after their dip at the sangam.
