Karnaprayag in Chamoli District in Uttarakhand is associated
with Karna of Mahabharata. The popular belief is that Karna offered his daily
prayers to Surya Bhagavan, Sun God in Hinduism, at Karnaprayag. Legend has it
that after Karna’s death in the Mahabharata war, Sri Krishna cremated Karna at
Karnaprayag.
Karnaprayg is the confluence of Alakananda River and Pindar
River.
There is a small temple dedicated to Karna here. There is
also a murti of Sri Krishna.
Karnaprayag was earlier known as Skanda Prayag.
The relationship between Sri Krishna and Karna in the
Mahabharata is unique. Sri Krishna always knew about the birth of Karna and his
predicament. Krishna had a soft corner for Karna. Similarly, Karna also knew
that Sri Krishna was an avatar of Srihari Vishnu.
When Karna was lying wounded in the Mahabharata war, Sri
Krishna approaches him. Karna only makes a single request that he should be cremated
at a spot where no cremation has taken place.
Sri Krishna fulfils this last wish of the great warrior
Karna when he himself gave the body of Karna to Agni at Karnaprayag.