Char Dham Yatra

Introduction:
Char dham yatra is one of the most famed spiritual journeys of Hinduism. Hindu people believes that by the blessings of Lord, this holy journey would aid them to attain salvation i.e moksha. Even it is said that after completion of Char dham Yatra, all our past sins are washed away and Almighty gives us another golden opportunity to restart our life with a new fresh look.

Char dham yatra mainly covers the four most popular pilgrimage destinations of India. Nestled in the lap of serene Garwhal Himalayas, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Shri Kedarnath ji and Shri Badrinath ji are the four major pilgrimage destinations of Char Dham Yatra. These famous Char dham destinations are also referred as “Dev Bhumi” or abode of God. They are the epicentre of religious activity in North India.

Apart from India, devotees from all across the globe undertakes the Char dham yatra to experience the eternal bliss.

Destinations Covered:
Char dham yatra mainly undertaken in Uttarakhand state of North India. Traditionally, the Char dham yatra starts from west to east, thus pilgrims first visit Yamonotri then Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath. This route follows the Hindu tradition of parikrama or clockwise circumbulation. Moreover, pilgrims also visit Hemakund Sahib, located in the vicinity in their journey to Char dham circuit.

Yamunotri: The first holy place of Char dham Yatra is Yamunotri. It is perched atop the edge of Bandar Punch Parvat in the Garwhal Himalayas. This sacred place is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is believed to be the origin of India's second holy river Yamuna. The temple of Yamunotri is located on the left bank of the Yamuna river. Some historians believes that Maharajah Pratap Shah of Tehri Garwhal has created this temple whereas some believed that Maharani Gularia of Jaipur has built it.

Gangotri: Gangotri is the second destinations of Char dham yatra. It is nestled in the majestic Greater Himalayan ranges, at a height of 3, 042m, Gangotri is famous for the temple of Goddess Ganga. It is located on the bank of Bhagirathi river on the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. People believes that Gangotri is the source of Ganga river but actually Gaumukh, set in the Gangotri glacier is the origin of Gangotri.

Shri Kedarnath ji: This place is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as the protector and destroyer. It is positioned at an elevation of 3584m near the origin of Mandakini river, in the Garwhal Himalayas of Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Kedarnath is considered as the one of the twelve “Jyotirlingas” of Lord Shiva.

Shri Badrinath ji: This last pilgrimage destination of Char Dham Yatra is situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Positioned on the Nar-Narayan hill, with the towering Neelkantha peak (6, 597 m)at the background, Shri Badrinath ji is the earthly abode of Lord Vishnu.

Places To Visit:
As Yamunotri, Gangotri, Shri Kedarnath ji and Shri Badrinath ji are pious places of Hindu religion. So, these places are dotted with some sacred shrines. Some highlights of these places are :

Highlights of Yamunotri:
Yamunotri Temple: Built at a height of 3,291 m, Yamunotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. This temple remain open from last week of April to first week of November. A Divya Shilla is placed at the entrance of the temple, is also worshiped by the devotees.

Yamuna bai kund: Devotees take bathe in this hot water pool before entering to the Yamunotri shrine.

Surya Kund: Surya kund is a hot thermal springs. The temperature of the water of this spring is 190 F. Devotees cook raw rice and potatoes in the water of this spring to offer to Goddess Yamuna.

Highights of Gangotri:
Gangotri Temple: Dated back to 8th century, Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Gurkha General Amar Singh Thapa has constructed this temple near a sacred stone where King Bhagirath has worshiped Lord Shiva. This temple is 20 ft high and made up of white granite. It opens either in the last week of April or first week of May, on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and closes on day after Diwali.

Bhagirath Shila: Bhagirath Shila is named after King Bhagirath who has meditated on a slab of stone. This located adjacent to Gangotri temple.

Highlights of Shri Kedarnathji:
Kedarnath Temple: This holy temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The present structure of kedarnath temple was built by Adi Guru Shri Shankaracharya. The temple opens in mid-May and closes on day after Diwali.

Shankaracharya Samadhi: The samadhi or the last resting place of Shankaracharya lies at the back side of Kedarnath temple.

Highlights of Shri Badrinath ji:
Badrinath Temple: Badrinath temple, a 15m tall temple with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof, is dedicated to Lord Badrinarayan. This temple resembles to a Buddhist Vihara.

Tapt Kund: Tapt Kund is a natural hot water pool which is fed by sulphur spring. Ardent devotees take bathe at this pool before entering to the holy shrine. This kund is located next to Badrinath temple, enclosed inside the bath house.

Best Time To Visit:
The ideal season to undertake the Char dham yatra is summer season. During this season all these four destinations brim with thousands of devotees who visit this places from various nook and corner of the world. May to June and September to November are considered as the best time for Char dham yatra. Avoid monsoon season, late June to August, as heavy rains may create problems to reach the shrines. Also avoid winter season because heavy snow falls can cause road blockades.

Activities To Do:
Worship In The Temples: The main activities in which pilgrims can indulge themselves is worshiping to the deities residing in the temples. People undertakes the Char dham Yatra to pay their homage to Goddesses Yamuna and Ganga, to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

Bathe in the hot water springs: All these pious places are blessed with some hot water springs. It is a ritual to take bathe before entering to the temples. People also loves to take, bathe after a treacherous trekking to rejuvenate themselves. Some of the crowded hot water pools are Surya Kund, Yamuna Bai Kund, Tapt Kund etc.

Trekking: Apart from pilgrimage, people can also engage themselves in trekking. All these places have some famous trekking routes such as 13 km km (8.08 miles) from Hanuman chatti and a 6 km (3.73 miles) route from Janki Chatti to Yamunotri, Gangotri-Gaumukh-Tapovan and Gangotri-Kedartal trekking routes in Gangotri etc.