Prayag Shaktipeeths,Uttar Pradesh

The three temples in Prayag Shaktipeeths are considered Shaktipeeths from three dfferent ideas. All the three temples are of mata Sati of Prayag Shaktipeeth. The three temples are Akshaywat, Mirapur and Alopi. It is situated very near to Sangam (confluence) of the three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati near Allahabad Fort, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Prayag Shaktipeeths is considered as one of the Sapta mokshapuras. This place is also called as Theertharaj that means king of all theerthas. In Prayag, the fingers of mata Sati fell. She is also called as Alopi mata / Lalita. Here Lord Shiva is known by the name of Bhav.

The popular belief is that the fingers of the hands of Goddess Sati fell at the spot where the Alopi Devi Temple stands. It must be noted that Goddess Alopi temple is also part of the Ashta Das Shaktipeetah concept more famous in South India and propagated through the Ashtadasa Shaktipeetaha Stotra of Adi Shankara.

The art and architecture of the temple is really something to see for and in the sanctorum of the temple, there is large idol of Maa Sati with four hands and a glowing wheel behind the ‘Mukut’. Just adjacent to this idol, are the idol of lord Shiva and Mata Parvati.

Prayag Shaktipeeths,Uttar Pradesh

History and Significance:

There are mainly three stories about the word Alopi. They are,

Alop means the one who disappeared. After Sati dahana and Dhaksha Yagna destruction, Lord Siva disturbed mentally and lifted Satidevi’s body and roaming without any destination. Lord Vishnu cut Sati devi body parts by using Sudarshana Chakra. Every place, where Satidevi’s body part fell, became a Shaktipeeth. Here the ten fingers of Maa Sati fell. Prayaga is the last place, where last part of Sati devi’s body fell on ground. Here Sati devi body became disappeared, hence the name Alopi.
There are some other stories about Alopi mata. In every temple, at least one idol or one symbol will be there for worshipping the goddess. But here, there is no idol or symbol. We have to imagine the goddess present on a wooden jhula. Hence the name Alopi.

According to a local story, Alopi mata is a newly married bride. She disappeared from pallaki, when robbers attącked the marriage troop. As the bride disappeared as a miracle, she is worshipped as

Temple Festivals:

Kumbh Mela is the star attraction here and it attract crowd in exorbitant numbers, both domestic and international as well. It is celebrated after a gap of every 12 years and on this auspicious period, people take bath in the holy water of Sangam.

Navratri is among the major festival here. Another festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm is the ‘Shiv Ratri’ and during this day, people keep fast, pour milk on the Shiv Lingam and offers ‘Bail’ (A type of fruit) to the god idol.

Temple Pooja Daily Schedule:

Prayag Shaktipeeths temples remains open from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm

How to reach:

Prayag Shaktipeeths is well connected by Road, Railway and Air routes. It is about 130 km distance from Varanasi. So many Buses, Taxis are available to travel from Varanasi to Prayaga (Allahabad) or from Prayaga (Allahabad) to Varanasi.

Allahabad is very big railway junction which is at 6 km distance from Alopi temple. Many trains will come from all directions from various divisions. Allahabad airport is at 17 km distance from Alopi mata temple.

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