Char Dham Yatra, also known as the ‘pilgrimage of four abodes‘, is a spiritual journey to the four sacred shrines located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. The four shrines, namely Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, are believed to be the abode of Hindu gods and goddesses. The Char Dham Yatra holds great significance for Hindus, as it is believed that undertaking this pilgrimage will help one attain salvation and cleanse their sins.
The Char Dham Yatra starts from the holy city of Haridwar, which is located at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Haridwar is known for its spiritual significance and is a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims. From Haridwar, the journey takes pilgrims through the picturesque towns of Dehradun and Mussoorie before reaching the first shrine, Yamunotri.
Yamunotri, the first shrine of the Char Dham Yatra, is dedicated to goddess Yamuna, the sister of Yama, the god of death. The shrine is located at an altitude of 3,293 meters above sea level and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and lush green forests. The journey to Yamunotri involves a trek of about 6 km from the town of Hanuman Chatti. The trek takes pilgrims through beautiful landscapes, including hot springs and cascading waterfalls. The highlight of the Yamunotri shrine is the Yamunotri temple, which is believed to have been built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The temple houses a black marble idol of goddess Yamuna, and pilgrims offer prayers and perform rituals to seek blessings.
Gangotri, the second shrine of the Char Dham Yatra, is dedicated to goddess Ganga, the goddess of purity and holiness. The shrine is located at an altitude of 3,100 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the majestic Himalayan mountains. The journey to Gangotri involves a drive from Yamunotri to Uttarkashi. This takes pilgrims through stunning landscapes, including dense forests and rocky terrains. The highlight of the Gangotri shrine is the Gangotri temple, which is believed to have been built by Amar Singh Thapa, a Gorkha commander. The temple houses a silver idol of goddess Ganga, and pilgrims offer prayers and perform rituals to seek blessings.
Kedarnath, the third shrine of the Char Dham Yatra, is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the Hindu trinity. The shrine is located at an altitude of 3,584 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the majestic Himalayan mountains. The journey to Kedarnath involves a trek of about 16 km from the town of Gaurikund. The trek takes pilgrims through scenic landscapes, including waterfalls, rivers, and mountains. The highlight of the Kedarnath shrine is the Kedarnath temple, which is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era. The temple houses a lingam, which is believed to be one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and pilgrims offer prayers and perform rituals to seek blessings.
Badrinath is one of the four sacred shrines or “Char Dham” located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The other three Char Dham sites include Gangotri, Yamunotri, and Kedarnath.
Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in the form of a black stone idol in the temple. The temple is located at an elevation of 3,133 meters above sea level and is surrounded by the stunning Himalayan mountain range. The Badrinath temple opens every year in the month of April or May and closes in November due to heavy snowfall.
The last dham or final destination of the Char Dham Yatra is the Badrinath temple. The Char Dham Yatra is considered to be one of the most important pilgrimages for Hindus and is believed to help people attain salvation or Moksha. The journey usually starts from Yamunotri, then Gangotri, Kedarnath and finally Badrinath, which marks the end of the pilgrimage.
