PRAYAG
The Holy Sangam

One such legend refers to King Sudyumna, son of the famous king Vaivaswata. It happened that he strayed once into Kumaravana-a prohibited area of this region then. And lo! he was changed into a pretty woman anon. And passed for all then onwards. Another miracle! this engrossing piece attracted Budha, the son of Chandra, and they were wedded. A son was born to them and was christened Pururvas. Fed up with womanly chores and elusive charms, he worshipped Siva for changing him to original form. Expressing his limitations, he granted him the boon of becoming man for one month, and woman, the following month. And this process goes on forever unhindered. Unable to compromise with the change alternating in quick succession, he left to forest to lead an ascetic life handing over the kingdom to his son Pururvas, who ruled ably with his capital at Pratisthana and was succeeded by Ayu, the grand father of the famous king Yayati.

Another legend accounts for the unusual glory of this place brought about by Brihaspati, the preceptor of Gods. And incidentally, it sheds light on the origin of Kumbha mela. 

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