The Prayagwals of Prayagraj – As old as time itself and important contributors to the history of India

Anyone who has visited the Triveni Sangam area in Prayagraj would have seen the boats with coloured flags anchored in a group.

The above pic has been taken during the monsoon flooding. The boats are anchored depending on level of the floods. Pictures shot with Fujifilm X-S20 with Tamron 18 to 300 mm with Fujifilm Point and Shoot 200 Film Recipe. 

During the dry season the boats are able to reach the exact spot of Sangam which is a little ahead. 

Prayagwals of Prayagraj – the custodians of Sangam

Govt records kept in the State Archives mention the visit of Mahatma Gandhi to attend Kumbh Mela in 1918. Among his activities were taking a dip in the holy water, performing prayers and meeting with the Prayagwals. 

Religious rituals in India are performed by Hindu Brahmin Priests. It is kind of honour was well as qualification. Priests live a certain kind of lifestyle. They are pure vegetarians and spend most of their time in prayers. They completely shunt violence. Training starts early in a vedic school of learning. You are a brahmin by birth only. Brahmin priests who have been performing religious rituals at the Sangam area are known as Pandas or Prayagwals. They would have been there ever since people started visiting the sangam area. That would be as far back as the history of mankind goes. 

Gandhi realised how much influential these priests are over the common India. They had the potential to inspire people to participate in the freedom struggle. That would have been the topic of discussion between the Mahatma and Prayagwals. British no wonder kept a close eye on the activities of Gandhi, the moment he landed in Prayagraj. Later in a public meeting in Faizabad on 10th Feb 1921 he discussed about this meeting and interaction. 

The British were always worried about the large number of pilgrims visiting the Sangam area especially during the Kumbh because of the influence of Prayagwals. The British also came to know through their sources that Rani Lakshmi Bai had come to Prayagraj and made plans for the 1857 revolution in Prayagraj. Police records indicate the hanging of a Prayagwal who broke the brass bell of the church during the First War of Independence. 

These are just a few examples of how important and influential these priests were. They also have been very proud and protective of their domain. While a fort was being constructed at Allahabad by Akbar, the foundation walls along Yamuna repeatedly kept collapsing. A local panda voluntarily gave up his life to proceed with the construction and in return Akbar granted the Prayagwals continued exclusive rights towards the religious rituals of the pilgrims. 

Origin of Prayag Kshetra and Prayagwals

Prayagraj is counted as one of the oldest cities in India. There is no record dating back in time because such a record cannot be ascertained. As per the Puranas, Brahma created this universe and to commemorate the auspicious he performed as series of ten yajnas. And where did he do it, Prayagraj. 

One of the most important ritual in Hinduism is the Asti Visarjan. It is the final closure after the death of a beloved one. Prayagraj figures in the list of top preferred places for Asti Visarjan. Mahatma Gandhi’s ashes were immersed in Ganga at Sangam. 

So we can safely assume that the Prayagwals are as ancient as Prayagraj itself and you can guess how old is Prayagraj as well.

After Ram returned from exile, he had halted at Prayagraj. He took along with him a panda from Prayagraj, the descendants of whom still live in Kavirapur at Ayodhya.

The Pandas proudly share stories in history when various rulers granted them pardon or rights to perform rituals. One such story is very interesting.

When Shivaji Maharaj fled from Agra, he travelled East and stayed with a panda family at Daraganj. After staying there for a few days, Shivaji left his son Sambhaji with the family and moved to Kashi. Sambhaji took the panda back to Maharashtra with him and made him a minister. Such was the influence of Prayagwals.

Prayagwals today

It is believed that after the fort was successfully built by Akbar, he tied to gift a golden statue to the Prayagwals who refused to take any gold or wealth. He was angered and issued a decree banning them. The pandas fled to the other banks of Yamuna which might explain the presence of lots of ashrams and temples in Jhunsi. 

These proud people still shun wealth and grandeur. They live a simple life and their structures and tents are also semi permanent and frugal. No flashy clothes, no material comforts, no AC even in the blistering heat, no flashy cars. That is the greatness of India for you.