Prayag Raj Day 5

 

7 April 2026 

*Day 5* PrayagRaj 

We woke up really early and in the dark of the night just before the glimmer of dawn I was chanting Hanuman Chalisa in the line to take Darshan of the Bade Hanuman or लेटे हनुमान. M

It is said after the war of Lanka Hanuman was tired and stopped here for rest as suggested by Sita Mai. Therefore is in शयन अवस्था or sleeping pose. 

The official site of Prayag Raj mentions that this mandir was established by Samarth Ramdas. Located on the banks of the Sangam in Prayagraj. It is 6-7 feet below ground level and the murti is 20ft and faces the south therefore दक्षिण मुखी with Ahiravana under his right foot and Kamada Devi under his left foot, and he is protecting Rama and Lakshmana with his left hand and holds a Gada in the right hand. The picture is from the internet. 

I had a lovely Darshan as we descended down the steps and some kind men allowed us to move in the front for a better view. Never stereotype people. There are good people everywhere. 

After Darshan we were taken to the sand banks where we were boarded on to small row boats 🛶  which took us to the Triveni sangam of Ganga Yamuna and the underground Saraswati.

Frankly even though the Triveni sangam स्नान bath is considered auspicious and this is where पिंडदान is performed. I was so turned off by the arrangement there that I did not even go on to those other boats. I simply prayed sitting in our row boat. I had collected the holy water in a small bottle to bring home but the high particulate matter just made me empty the bottle right back into the sangam. The Environmental Technologist in me was very disturbed there. Faith made people into sheep following blindly. Here too dumping flowers and floating Diyas without a conscience. For me the Sangam Darshan was enough. I swept up a palm full of water applied to my eyes and ब्रह्मरंध्र and remembered my ancestors. I did not need a ritual for closure. My Baba had categorically told me not to perform any rituals for him after he was gone. I am privileged that I could do whatever possible while he lived ❣️

Near the mandir is the Fort built by Akbar. The locals tell the story that Akbar wanted the land on which the Lete Hanuman rests. He tried moving the murti but failed miserably and had to give up!

My group friends the Phadkes and Kashimira

That’s Mrs Chitale in action

After sangam darshan we returned to the hotel had breakfast and started our journey towards Ayodhya in the uncomfortable Tempo traveller 🙂‍↕️ but we had some fun Antakshari 😃