Chardham Yatra

The Chardham Yatra is a revered pilgrimage in India that takes devotees to four sacred shrines in Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. These four dhams, nestled in the majestic Himalayas, hold deep spiritual significance in Hinduism and attract thousands of pilgrims every year.

“Char Dham” means “four abodes”. There are four sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites in the mountain state of Uttarakhand. These are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. People from all over India visit these holy Hindu pilgrimage sites every year to seek blessings. The shrines were established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century and are dedicated to different deities.

Yamunotri is the source of the Holy River Yamuna whereas Gangotri marks the origin of the Holy River Ganga. Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is said that once you complete this sacred yatra, you can attain moksha or liberation.

Facts About Char Dham

➡ Yamunotri: The Holy River Yamuna originates from the Champasar Glacier, and devotees cook rice in its hot springs as an offering.

➡ Gangotri: Holy River Ganga is said to have originated from Gangotri and the dham is located at a height of 3,100 meters above sea level. The temple is opened every year during Akshay Tritya and is well connected to all major cities like Dehradun and Rishikesh.

➡ Kedarnath: The temple of Kedarnath is located at a height of 3,583 meters above sea level. Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. It is also believed that it was built by the Pandavas and later revived by Adi Shankaracharya.

➡ Badrinath: It is part of both Char Dham and Chota Char Dham yatras and is home to Tapt Kund which is a naturally occurring hot water spring.

The Chota Char Dham of Uttarakhand—comprising Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath—holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism. These four sacred sites are nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas and are collectively called Chota Char Dham to distinguish them from the larger Char Dham (Dwarka, Badrinath, Puri, and Rameswaram) established by Adi Shankaracharya.

The tradition of the Chota Char Dham Yatra began in the 8th century when Adi Shankaracharya, a revered Hindu saint, promoted the concept of pilgrimage to unify different sects of Hinduism. He played a key role in reviving Hindu spirituality and reinstating Badrinath as an important pilgrimage center.

Over centuries, the journey to these four sites became a sacred tradition among devotees. Kings and sages contributed to temple construction and preservation, making the Chota Char Dham a key pilgrimage for Hindus seeking spiritual enlightenment and salvation. Today, the journey remains one of the most revered yatras in India.

Yamunotri Dham, one of the revered Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, is the sacred origin of the Yamuna River. Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,293 meters, Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, who is believed to be the daughter of Surya (the Sun God) and sister of Yama (the God of Death). Pilgrims seek her blessings for a long and prosperous life.

The temple, constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal in the 19th century, stands near the source of the Yamuna, a glacier situated at an elevation of about 6,315 meters. However, due to its challenging terrain, devotees worship at the temple instead of the actual source. The hot springs of Surya Kund, where pilgrims cook rice as a sacred offering, add to the site's spiritual significance. Yamunotri marks the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.

Gangotri Dham, one of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, holds immense spiritual significance in Hinduism. Located at an altitude of 3,100 meters in the Uttarkashi district, Gangotri is the revered source of the holy River Ganga.

According to mythology, Goddess Ganga descended from heaven to purify King Bhagirath’s ancestors after his intense penance. To reduce the force of her descent, Lord Shiva caught Ganga in his matted locks, allowing her to flow gently onto Earth. This divine event is believed to have taken place at Gangotri, where the 18th-century Gangotri Temple, built by Amar Singh Thapa, stands today.

The temple remains open from April/May to October/November, closing during winter when the idol is shifted to Mukhba village. Devotees visit Gangotri to seek blessings and witness the origin of the sacred Bhagirathi River, which later merges into the Ganges.

Kedarnath Dham, one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites, is located in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and a crucial part of the Chardham Yatra. The temple is believed to have been originally built by the Pandavas from the Mahabharata era to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings for absolution from their sins.

Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th-century philosopher and reformer, later reconstructed the temple, establishing it as a significant spiritual center. The temple stands at an altitude of 3,583 meters amidst the Garhwal Himalayas, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks.

Despite harsh weather conditions, devotees undertake the challenging journey to Kedarnath, believing it grants salvation. The temple remains open only from April to November due to extreme winters. The annual pilgrimage is not just a spiritual journey but also a testament to devotion and faith in Hindu traditions.

Badrinath Dham, one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sites, is nestled in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is part of the Char Dham Yatra and the Chota Char Dham circuit. The temple's history dates back to the Vedic era, with references in ancient scriptures like the Vishnu Purana and Skanda Purana.

According to legend, Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th-century Hindu philosopher, rediscovered the idol of Lord Badri from the Alaknanda River and established the temple. The site holds deep spiritual significance, as it is believed that Lord Vishnu meditated here while Goddess Lakshmi took the form of a Badri tree to provide him shade.

Surrounded by the majestic Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, Badrinath Dham continues to attract devotees seeking salvation. The temple remains open only from April to November due to harsh winter conditions, making it a revered seasonal pilgrimage destination.

➤ Temple Darshan: Char Dham offers a peaceful way to seek blessings at all four temples and witness the divine aarti.

➤ Trekking: The yatra is also a trekkers' heaven as it offers a beautiful trek to Kedarnath Temple through scenic mountain trails.

➤ Holy Dips: Take a dip in sacred rivers like Yamuna, Ganga, and Alaknanda.

➤ Cultural Experience: Get to enjoy the unique traditions of Uttarakhand's villages.

➤ Photography & Nature Walks: Capture stunning landscapes of snow-capped peaks and lush valleys.

➤ Local Shopping & Food: Explore local handicrafts, woollens, and Rudraksha beads from markets in Badrinath and Kedarnath. You can also enjoy local Garhwali cuisine like Aloo Ke Gutke and Mandua ki Roti.