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| Triveni Sangam, Allahabad |
I went to Allahabad for work recently, where I decided to go
see Triveni Sangam, where three rivers meet - Ganga, Yamuna — and the invisible Saraswati
River.
First of all, the boatmen charge a bomb to go there. Make
sure you bargain and not pay over Rs. 450/- if you are alone (Initially, they
quoted Rs. 1250/-!). The boat ride itself is pleasant, but the duration is
exaggerated. It takes only about 20 to 25 minutes one way and they tell you it
takes one hour.
When you reach Triveni Sangam, you are made to sit before an
eternally smiling Pandit, who will have you believe he works for God, when he
only works for the ‘Gandhis’ in your pocket. He’ll perform the puja and make
you also pay for coconut used in the puja. Although, he says that ayment is
optional and we can give whatever amount we choose, that is absolutely a lie.
If you give a 50 rupee note, he will say ‘50
mein kya hota hai!?’and he will force you to pay at least 200! Please
refrain from sitting with these pretend pundits.
The actual difference in the water colour is something which
isn’t that evident. Perhaps it can only be seen in certain light at certain
time. The Saraswati river is supposed to be invisible and it is believed to be
flowing under these two rivers.
The only thing you will see for certain are people getting
naked and bathing in the water to wash their sins, without even repenting them
and tradesmen and “god-men” trying to exploit them... If you are religious, do
go to the Sangam, but try to ignore all the things people trying to corrupt your
religion. I think the State Government should regulate the fare charges and
also the sums charged by the so-called “Pandits”. If this is done, the seren
location will no doubt, become far more enjoyable.
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