Shringverpur

Shringverpur lies on the Ganga about 40 km from Prayagraj and is a quiet stop on the Ramayana Circuit. It is remembered as the capital of Nishadraj, the king of the boatmen who took Ram, Sita and Lakshman across the river at the start of their exile, and it takes its name from the sage Shringi Rishi, whose temple was brought to light by archaeological digging.

The trio are said to have spent one night here. When a boatman would not take them over, Nishadraj came forward and asked to wash Ram's feet with Ganga water, then drank that water as a sign of complete devotion. A platform marks the spot where this is believed to have happened, and the story is often told as an example of faith that ignores caste and rank. Pilgrim numbers rise sharply during the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj.