Vikir literally means ‘spread out’ or ‘scattered.’ The area
north of the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna in Prayagraj (Uttar
Pradesh) is referred to as Vikir Kshetra. This is an important venue during the
Kumbh Mela and Magh Mela.
It is said that when Ganga was brought down to the earth, the
stream of the Yamuna scattered itself in many directions to welcome Ganga and
guide her stream in the right direction.
It is also said that when Brahma began his ten Ashvamedha
yajna here, in honor of Veni madhava (Vishnu), he found all the ingredients
required for the ritual to be scattered all over the place, hence the name
vikir kshetra.
According to mythology, Madhava visited the ashrama of a
rishi in the guise of an ascetic and demanded food for himself and his dog. The
rishi was engaged in performing rituals for his dead ancestors and could not
respond. On the ascetic’s insistence and fearing his wrath, the rishi hurriedly
put before him a bowl of food with utmost contempt. The food was found
contaminated with insects that crawled out, and the ascetic left in anger.
Thereafter, every time the rishi cooked food, he found it full of insects. He
realized that he had displeased the ascetic how was none other than God
himself. He prayed to Bhagavan to appear again, and when Bhagavan appeared as
ascetic again, offered Him cooked food. When the hunger of the ascetic was
appeased he bestowed grace on the Rishi.
This legend makes the area significant for performing rituals
for dead ancestors and highlighting the presence of God in the lowest of the
lowly. Yamuna is known to spread itself and is full every year during the days prescribed
for performing these rituals.