The Triveni Sangam in Allahabad is a confluence of 3 rivers, the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. Of these three, the river Saraswati is invisible and is said to flow underground and join the other two rivers from below. Here the muddy and pale-yellow waters of the Ganga merge with the blue waters of Yamuna. At times the Ganga is only 4 feet deep and the Yamuna is 40 feet deep near the point of their nexus. The river Yamuna merges into the Ganga at this point and the Ganga continues on until it meets the sea at the Bay of Bengal. At the confluence of these two great Indian rivers, where the invisible Saraswati conjoins them, many tirtha yatris take boats to bathe from platforms erected in the Sangam. This, together with the migratory birds give a picturesque look to the river during the Kumbha Mela, in the month of January. It is believed that all the gods come in human form to take a dip at the Sangam and expiate sins.

The Triveni Sangam is believed to be the same place where drops of Nectar fell from the pitcher, from the hands of the gods. So it is believed that a bath in the Sangam will wash away one's sins and will clear the way to heaven. Devout Hindus from all over India come to this sacred pilgrimage point to offer prayers and take a dip in the holy waters. The Kumbh Mela is held every 12 years on the banks of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Sangam. The Maha Kumbh Mela is held every 144 years. According to Hindu tradition, the Prakrista Yajna was performed here by Lord Brahma. That is why Allahabad was known as Prayag in ancient times. Allahabad (Prayag) is also called Tirtha-Raja (Prayag Raj), king of all holy places. It is said that Lord Rama visited Allahabad when he was in exile.