Raghunath Temple, Devprayag
Devprayag, Uttarakhand · temple
- Days OpenOpen daily
- Entry FeeFree Entry
Raghunath Temple crowns the sacred hillside above Devprayag, the uppermost of the Panch Prayag confluences, where the turquoise Bhagirathi and the grey-green Alaknanda meet and — from this point onward — are called the Ganga. Dedicated to Raghunathji, the family name of Lord Rama (of the Raghu dynasty, an avatar of Vishnu), the temple enshrines a standing granite murti of the deity, worshipped here alongside his consort Sita as Lakshmi. Tradition holds that Rama performed penance at this spot to absolve himself of the burden incurred in vanquishing the demon-king Ravana, and the temple's antiquity is woven into that legend: its origins are commonly traced to the 8th century and associated with Adi Shankaracharya, placing it among the roughly 1,250-year-old sacred foundations of the Garhwal Himalaya.
Where to Eat Nearby
- ✦Satvik bhojanalayas around the sangam and temple lanes — simple pure-veg thali, poori-sabzi and kadhi-chawal, often no-onion-no-garlic for pilgrims; look for a busy, freshly-cooked counter.
- ✦Tea and snack stalls near the Devprayag bus stand — chai, samosa, pakora and biscuits for a quick roadside stop; pure-veg as the whole town is vegetarian.
- ✦Small dhabas along the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway at Devprayag — veg Garhwali/North-Indian meals for through-travellers; hygiene varies, so pick the busiest one.
- ✦Guesthouse and dharamshala kitchens near the sangam — many serve simple satvik meals to guests; ask in advance if you are not staying over.
About
Raghunath Temple crowns the sacred hillside above Devprayag, the uppermost of the Panch Prayag confluences, where the turquoise Bhagirathi and the grey-green Alaknanda meet and — from this point onward — are called the Ganga.
- Dedicated to Raghunathji, the family name of Lord Rama (of the Raghu dynasty, an avatar of Vishnu), the temple enshrines a standing granite murti of the deity, worshipped here alongside his consort Sita as Lakshmi.
- Tradition holds that Rama performed penance at this spot to absolve himself of the burden incurred in vanquishing the demon-king Ravana, and the temple's antiquity is woven into that legend: its origins are commonly traced to the 8th century and associated with Adi Shankaracharya, placing it among the roughly 1,250-year-old sacred foundations of the Garhwal Himalaya.
- Architecturally the shrine is built in the Deula style — a single walled precinct with a tall conical shikhara rising over the sanctum and a cluster of smaller subsidiary shrines around it, a form more often associated with eastern India and unusual in the mountains.
- The temple carries an extraordinary pan-Indian pedigree: it is counted among the 108 Divya Desams, the Vishnu sanctuaries glorified in the Tamil Nalayira Divya Prabandham of the Alvar saints, making this remote Himalayan confluence a node in a devotional geography that stretches to the far south.
- The structure was rebuilt by the local Garhwal king after damage in the 1893 earthquake and is today maintained under the state tourism board; its weathered grey stone, prayer bells, and river-facing terrace give it a grave, elemental atmosphere very different from the busier plains temples.
- For the visitor, the pilgrimage is a two-part experience: a bathe or sprinkle at the ghats where the two rivers braid together at the sangam below (holding the iron chains fixed into the rock, as the current is strong), followed by the climb up stone steps and lanes to the temple itself.
- Devprayag is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free pilgrim town, so eating here is simple and worry-free: the small bazaar around the temple and sangam has satvik bhojanalayas and tea stalls serving thali, poori-sabzi, kadhi-chawal and chai, much of it cooked without onion or garlic for the pilgrim palate.
- Modest dress, bare feet inside the sanctum, and quiet observance during aarti are expected of all visitors regardless of faith.
- Most travellers pause here for an hour or two while driving the Rishikesh–Badrinath road, though the confluence rewards a longer, unhurried sit.
Timings & Entry Fee
Verified: August 2026
Location & How to Reach
Address
Uphill above the Alaknanda–Bhagirathi sangam, Devprayag, Tehri Garhwal district, Devprayag, Uttarakhand, 249301
How to Reach: Devprayag sits 73 km up the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway (NH-7). Shared jeeps and state/GMOU buses bound for Srinagar, Rudraprayag or the Char Dham run from Rishikesh (about 2–2.5 hours); a private taxi is the most flexible option. From the roadside and bus stand, walk down toward the sangam and up the stone steps and lanes to the temple. The nearest railhead is Rishikesh (and the broader Haridwar–Rishikesh line); the nearest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun), about 95 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Raghunath Temple in Devprayag and why is it important?
It is an ancient stone temple dedicated to Lord Rama, worshipped here as Raghunathji, standing on the hillside above the Devprayag sangam where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers merge to become the Ganga. Tradition traces it to the 8th century and Adi Shankaracharya, and it is counted among the 108 Divya Desams — the Vishnu sanctuaries celebrated by the Tamil Alvar saints — making this remote Himalayan confluence a nationally revered devotional site.
Is there an entry fee for Raghunath Temple, Devprayag?
No, entry is free. Like most Hindu temples it is open to everyone regardless of faith, with no admission ticket. You may wish to carry small change for an offering or for the priests, but there is no compulsory charge.
What are the temple timings?
The temple is generally reported open from around 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, with a midday closure common at Garhwal hill temples and aarti near dawn and dusk. Timings shift with the season and the Char Dham pilgrimage calendar, so it is best to confirm locally on the day of your visit.
How do I reach Devprayag and the Raghunath Temple from Rishikesh?
Devprayag is 73 km up the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway, about 2 to 2.5 hours by road. Shared jeeps and buses heading for Srinagar, Rudraprayag or the Char Dham pass through, or you can hire a private taxi. From the roadside, walk down toward the sangam and up the stone steps and lanes to the temple. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant (Dehradun), roughly 95 km away.
Can I take a holy dip at the Devprayag sangam near the temple?
Yes. Pilgrims bathe or sprinkle themselves at the ghats where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi braid together below the temple. The current is strong, so hold the iron chains fixed into the rock and stay in the shallow, supervised sections — never wade into the fast midstream. Many visitors combine the dip at the sangam with darshan at the temple above.
Where can I eat vegetarian food near Raghunath Temple, Devprayag?
Devprayag is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free pilgrim town, so eating is simple and worry-free. The lanes around the sangam and temple have satvik bhojanalayas serving thali, poori-sabzi and kadhi-chawal — often cooked without onion or garlic — along with chai and snack stalls near the bus stand. For a hot meal, pick the busiest, freshly-cooked counter.
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