This blog post is taken from my eBook ‘Plan your transformative Maha Kumbh Yatra at Prayagraj”, available on Amazon for 99 INR only. Buy now.

Prachin Veni Madhav is the nagara devta or the main deity of Prayagraj. The temple is ancient, graced by great devotees like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This Madhav temple is part of the twelve or ‘dwadash’ Madhav temples scattered around the area. These Dwadash Madhav Temples are considered to fall within three categories based on their geographical location, anatarvedi, madhyavedi and bahirvedi. All the temples falling within each section are given below along with simple explanation of what each section is.

Antarvedi Madhav

These are located in and around the main Prayagraj city area, the northern landmass above Triveni Sangam on the west bank of Ganga.

Prachin Veni Madhav at Daraganj (maps location)

Akshayvat Madhav Mandir is said to be submerged at Triveni Sangam

Anant Madhav is at Dhumanganj, a suburb of Prayagraj city away from the rivers (map location)

Asi Madhav is at the Vasuki Naag mandir (map location)

Manohar Madhav is in Johnston Ganj amidst the Prayagraj city hustle bustle (map location)

Bindu Madhav is at Draupadi ghat (map location)

Madhyavedi Madhav

These are located at the Southern landmass below the Triveni Sangam, on the west bank of Ganga

Chakra Madhav mandir is at Arail (map location)

Gada Madhav near Chivki Railway Station (map location)

Padma Madhav in Bikar Village (map location)

Bahirvedi Madhav

These are located on the East bank of Ganga

Shankh Madhav Mandir is at Chhat nag road (map location)

Sankat Har Madhav (map location) & Sankast Madhav (map location) are at Jhunsi

Dwadash Madhav Padyatra & Prayagraj Parikrama

Attempts have been made to revive the pradakshina ritual around all these Madhav temples, but it fizzled out a few years ago, possibly due to various on-ground challenges. The route appears to be fairly extensive, which might make it difficult for many pilgrims. However, a path is currently being developed around this circuit, so it may become an active tradition in the future. The typical padyatra (walking pilgrimage) to visit all twelve Madhav kshetras usually takes about three days.

This would also help build a parikrama circuit around Prayagraj town, like the way there are so many parikrama routes around Varanasi. With temples alive and active in a circuit around cities, I think it will add more power to the Prayagraj “Kshetra” (spiritual space).

So, I hope the Dwadash Madhav parikrama can take shape in near future!