NANDPRAYAG TOUR

22 km from Karnaprayag, Nand Prayag at 914 m forms the confuence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini (flowing from a glacier near Nanda Devi Peak) rivers. On their way to Tapovan across Kunwari Pass or on their way to Roopkund, it is popular with trekkers. It is said that the confluence is named for the pious Raja Nanda. He came here to perform the Maha Yagna. The slab on which the Yagna was performed is the foundation stone for the Nand temple. Nandprayag was once the capital of Yadu Kingdom. It is also believed a dip in this confluence cleaness one of all the sins. According to one legend, the king had been promised the boon of Vishnu as a son. Unfortunately, the same boon had been granted to Devki, the imprisoned sister of the tyrant king, Kansa. Ultimately, the gods found an ingeneuos if wily solution: Vishnu would be born as krishna to Devki but would be brought up by Raja Nanda's wife, Yasodha.

50 km north east of Nandprayag is Vairaskund where Ravana is believed to have done intense Tapasaya to appease Lord Shiva and get his blessings. He offered as sacrifice his ten heads.