Char Dham in the Garhwal Himalayan range in Uttarakhand is one of the four holy temples where a large number of devotees from all over the world come. The Char Dham Yatra is a holy pilgrimage to these places of pilgrimage. In Hinduism, it is believed that the ultimate state of liberation is to attain Moksha and the journey to Char Dham takes you one step closer to achieving this goal. The four temples included in the Char Dham of Uttarakhand are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. These holy pilgrimages are associated with many ancient myths, beliefs and beliefs.

If you are planning this holy pilgrimage and looking for places to visit the Char Dham Yatra, then you are at the right place. Here, we have compiled information about these places of pilgrimage with important details.

Kedarnath Dham

Dedicated to Lord Shiva and out of 12 Jyotirlingas, Kedarnath Dham is in harmony between the snow-capped mountains. Located near the river Mandakini, Kedarnath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu temples of Lord Shiva. Gaurikund is the base camp of Kedarnath track, which is 16 km. You can rent a pony / palanquin or complete the trek. In the winter season, the idol is shifted to Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath and pilgrims can go there to seek the blessings of Lord Kedar.

Why visit?

The Kedarnath Temple, one of the PanchKedars of the Garhwal Himalayan range and the abode of Lord Shiva, is one of the holiest places for Hindus. There are many legends associated with this place and one of them is very popular. After the battle of Kurukshetra, the Pandavas were burdened with the crime of killing their siblings. So, they were looking for Lord Shiva to ask forgiveness for their sins. However, Lord Shiva removed them in the guise of oxen to roam the Garhwal Himalayas. When Lord Shiva was discovered by the Pandavas, he plunged into the ground and Bhima tried to catch him but could only jump. This bull's hump is worshiped in Kedarnath.

It is believed that the Kedarnath temple was built by the Pandavas and the present temple was restored by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.

Badrinath Dham

One of the most famous temples in the country, Badrinath Dham is dedicated to Lord Badri or Lord Vishnu. Apart from being a part of the small Char Dham circuit of Hindu pilgrimages, the temple is also included in the Char Dham Yatra along with Dwarka, Puri and Rameshwaram. Located in Chamoli district, Badrinath temple has an idol of Lord Badrinarayan in a posture of meditation. During the winter season, the idol is transferred and worshiped at the Vasu Dev Temple in Joshimath. Other tourist attractions near the temple include the Mata Murti temple, dedicated to Tapt Kund, the mother of Lord Badri, which is a thermal spring and has medicinal properties.

Why visit?

Badrinath Dham is one of the four holy shrines and is the abode of the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This is the primary temple of 5 Badris or PanchBadris. It is also one of the 108 divine lands of GodVishnu. The Badrinath temple has a 1 meter high black stone idol of Lord Vishnu, believed to be one of the eight self-expressed spheres (self-manifested idols).

According to legend, Dharma had two sons, Nar and Narayan who sought refuge in the Himalayas. He was searching for a place to establish his sannyas and during the search, he led four places of Yoga Badri, Dhyana Badri, Bridha Badri and Punch Badri called Bhavishya Badri. Finally, they come to a place blessed by the hot and cold springs behind the AlaknandaRiver. They named the place Badri Vishal and thus the town got its name.

Gangotri Dham

Gangotri Dham is situated at an altitude of 3,415 m above sea level, flowing out of the holy river Ganga. The pilgrimage town is situated on the banks of the river Bhagirathi. This holy place of the river Ganga is located near Gaumukh and Garhwal is surrounded by the charming hills of the Himalayas. In winter, the temple closes due to the harsh weather, and the idol shifts to the Mukhimath temple at Mukba, which is the winter destination of Goddess Ganga.

Why visit?

Gangotri temple has religious as well as archeological significance. The temple is said to be about three centuries old.  In the blissful aura of Gangotri one can feel close to God. King Bhagiratha prays to Lord Shiva to bring Goddess Ganga to earth to atone for the sins of his ancestors. It is believed that people attain Moksha if they immerse the ashes of their deceased ancestors in the holy waters of the river Ganga. For adventure lovers, Gaumukh Trek is a chance to see the forest of this quiet region.

Yamunotri Dham

Located at an altitude of 3,293 m above sea level in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Yamunotri Dham is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. It is the second holiest river in India and originates in Yamunotri. She was the daughter of Lord Surya and the twin sister of Yama (god of death).

Why visit?

Yamunotri Dham holds a special place in Hindu mythology. It is believed that bathing in the holy waters of the river Yamuna cleanses all sins and saves a person from premature or painful death. To reach the holy abode of Goddess Yamuna, trekking from Janaki Chatti is required. According to mythology, Lord Hanuman came here by burning Ravana's Lanka and extinguishing the fire of his tail in the waters of river Yamuna at Bandarpunch. Yamunotri is also famous for glaciers and thermal springs. It is also a paradise for nature lovers. Walking along the flowing streams offers some spectacular views.

On the way to these four holy temples, you can visit other tourist places. Each destination has its own significance. Uttarakhand is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts.

Whether it is about spiritual journey or adventure activities, Char Dham Yatra will bring you closer to nature and bliss. During the holy journey, you can receive blessings from the deities, attend Aarti and spend quality time amidst the tranquil nature. Plan a Char Dham Yatra and explore other tourist destinations along the way.