About Nandaprayag
Nandaprayag is the second of the Panch Prayag at 912 m, where the Nandakini river — descending from the Nanda Ghunti and Trisul glacier system — meets the Alaknanda. It is a small, quiet pilgrimage town with an ancient Gopalji Temple (Lord Vishnu/Krishna) on the banks. The town is unhurried and receives far fewer visitors than the more famous Rudraprayag and Devprayag, giving it a genuinely peaceful character. The Nandakini valley above the confluence is a beautiful and largely unexplored trekking terrain leading toward the Bedini Bugyal and Roopkund trailhead.
Places to See
• Nandaprayag Confluence (Nandakini meets Alaknanda — bathing ghat, riverside puja)
• Gopalji Temple (ancient Vishnu–Krishna temple on the riverbank, one of the most important at any Panch Prayag)
• Sacred Bathing Ghat (auspicious for ancestral rites and snaan)
• Old Town Market (small traditional bazaar, Garhwali food)
• Nandakini Valley View (upstream glimpse toward the Nanda Ghunti range)
• Chandrapuri Village (3 km, quiet)
Best Time
Year-round. May–June and September–October for pilgrimage comfort. Monsoon (July–August) makes the road vulnerable to landslides — check conditions before travelling this section.
How to Reach
Road: Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Nandaprayag (130 km, ~4 hrs). On NH-58 Char Dham Highway. Shared taxis from Rudraprayag and Karnaprayag pass through regularly.
Things to Do
• Puja and bathing at the confluence ghat
• Darshan at Gopalji Temple
• Photography of the river meeting point
• Explore the quiet old town
• Ancestral rites (pinda daan) at the ghat
Tips
Nandaprayag is the most peaceful and unhurried of the five Panch Prayags — a genuine escape from the Char Dham crowds. Gopalji Temple is particularly important and should not be missed. Budget 2–3 hours for a proper visit. Combine all five Panch Prayags in a 2-day driving circuit from Rishikesh.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Nandaprayag depends on the experience you seek.
