In Hindu tradition Triveni Sangam is the "confluence" of three rivers, two physical riversGanga, Yamuna, and the invisible or mythicSaraswathi river. The site is near Allahabad,india. A place of religious importance and the site for historic Kumbha mela held every 12 years,Ardhkumbh Mela (held once in 6 years), and Maha Mela (held every year) are held on the banks of the Sangam, during which periods hundred thousands of pilgrims throng to the place to take holy dip in the confluence.
The turbid and light yellow colour water of the Ganga merges with the green colour water of the Yamuna, resulting in a spectacular view for the visitors. River Saraswathi is hoped to flow underneath the earth and contacts the other 2 rivers.
Based on the Hindu mythology, nectar came out of the pitcher from the hands of the Lord Shiva; so a wash in Triveni Sangam will cleanse off all the sins. A bath here is said to wash away all of one's sins and free one from the cycle of rebirth. Here the muddy and pale-yellow waters of Ganga merge with the blue waters of Yamuna. While the Ganga is only 4 feet deep, the Yamuna is 40 feet deep near the point of their nexus. The river Yamuna merges into the Ganges at this point and the Ganges continues on until it meets the sea at theBaby of Bengal. At the confluence of these two great Indian rivers, where the invisible Saraswthi conjoins them, many tirtha yatris take boats to bathe from platforms erected in the Sangam. This, together with the migratory birds give a picturesque look to the river during the Kumbha mela, in the month of January. It is believed that all the gods come in human form to take a dip at the sangam and expiate 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 EwingChristianCollege, 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.
