Pancha Prayaga is a term to represent the five sacred confluences of River Alakananda. Vishnuprayag is the first of the confluence with the Dhauliganga river. Alakananda then meets River Nandakini at Nandprayag, Pindar river at Karnprayag, Mandakini at Rudra Prayag, Bhagirathi river at Devprayag. All of them can be accessed on the highway to Badrinath from Rishikesh.
Vishnu Prayag
Vishnuprayag is the first of the confluence of Alaknanda with Dhauliganga river. On climbing down from Joshimath towards Badrinath, we can find the confluence.
Nand Prayag
Nandprayag is second of the confluence of Alaknanda with Nandakini river. The name Nanda is said to be from a noble king of the same who did Yagnya here. There is also a belief that it is named after Yadava king Nanda, foster father of Krishna.
Karn Prayag
Karnaprayag is the confluence of Alaknanda with Pindar river. Karna is said to have performed penance to Surya here, hence the name.
Rudra Prayag
Rudraprayag is the fourth confluence of Alaknanda with River Mandakini.
Dev Prayag
The fifth confluence of River Alakananda with Bhagirathi to form Ganga. Bhagirathi is identified as the source stream of Ganga even though Alakananda is a bigger river. Bhagirathi originates from the Gangotri glacier.