Triveni Sangam is the convergence of three major Indian rivers, namely the Ganga, the Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati River near Allahabad, India. This spot have become a well-known pilgrimage spot in India. Sangama is the Sanskrit term for confluence. The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of three rivers, the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. Of these three, the river Saraswati is invisible and is known to be flowing in underground and join the other two rivers from below.
The point of convergence is a sacred place for Hindus. A bath here is said to wash away all the sins and free the individual from the cycle of rebirth. The sight of the Sangam is a splendid treat to the eyes. One can see the muddy and pale-yellow waters of Ganga merging with the serene blue waters of Yamuna. The Ganga is only 4 feet deep, while Yamuna is 40 feet deep close to the point of their nexus. The river Yamuna converges with the Ganges at this point and the Ganges continues on until it meets the sea at the Bay of Bengal. At the confluence of these two great Indian rivers, where the invisible Saraswati joins them, many Tirtha yatris come on boats to take a holy bath from platforms constructed in the Sangam. This, together with the migratory birds gives a picturesque look to the river during the Kumbha mela that is held in the month of January. It is believed that all the gods come in human form to take a dip at the sangam and recompense their sins.
The pollution of this great river is a serious cause of concern for all religious-minded people. Although the Indian Government has spent crores of rupees to cleanse the Ganga, pollution has not left these two rivers completely. Rather all those high-placed industrialists, judges and politicians are venerating the rivers. Above all, the common man has never given thought to keeping it clean.
An earlier Prime minister of India, Indira Gandhi used to come for a holy dip in this place. The people should take immediate steps to stop the pollution of this great, holy river, where the "nectar pot" was kept, as mentioned in the Puranas. On the bank of Ganga at Daraganj, just before the convergence of Ganga and Yamuna, the well-known statistician Ravindra Khattree has spent his early years when he was attending Ewing Christian College, situated on the bank of Yamuna, just few miles before the confluence. The Maharshi Institute of Management, named for Maharshi Mahesh Yogiwho is situated on the other bank of the river Ganga at Arail. The Harish Chandra Research Institute, named after the famous mathematician Harish Chandra, from Allahabad is also located on the same side of the river in the village of Jhusi.
The Triveni Sangam is believed to be the same place where drops of Nectar trickled down from the pitcher, from the hands of the Gods. So it is believed that a bath in the Sangam immediately washes away all one's sins and will clear the way to heaven. Pious Hindus from all over India come to this sacred pilgrimage point to offer prayers and take a dip in the consecrated waters. The holy Kumbha Mela is held every 12 years on the banks of the Sangam. According to myth, Lord Brahma performed the Prakrista Yajna here. In this way Allahabad received its ancient name as Prayag. Allahabad is also called Tirtha-Raja or the Prayag Raj, which is the king of all holy places. It is said that Lord Rama visited Allahabad when he was in banish.
