Char Dham
Where is Chardham?
Char Dham yatra – this Uttaranchal Dham is incorporated into North Badrinath, in South Rameshwaram Temple, West India, where we discover Dwaraka Dheesh and in the east of the nation we will discover Jagannath Puri. Every one of these sanctuaries has a diverse history with one of a kind in their own specific manner. Chota Char Dham incorporates two Devi or Goddess Mandirs in Gangotri and Yamnotri and a Shiv Mandir in Kedarnath and a Vishnu Temple in Badrinath. This Yatra has not worked for quite a while after a calamity occurs in the 2013 Uttaranchal Floods which was a colossal loss of state and mischief to journey locales. The Yatra was restarted in May 2014, there has been decent work by the administration in street development and nearby people groups offer assistance.
Best Time to Visit Char Dham
The Char Dham season begins by Mid-April nearly. Be that as it may, this year 2018 the Char Dham Yatra begins in April a week ago, which is when then the vast majority of the Indian people group make the most of the start of the New Year. It normally lasts till the celebration of Diwali, with max coming summer and ahead to the Monsoons. A long time back every one of these sanctuaries was reachable by walking only, yet slowly crowd increment, and individuals’ requests to the government made them build fabricated roadwork. There have been numerous lodgings and infrastructural advancements in this Char Dham Yatra Section.
What beckons devotees?
Yamunotri
The principal stop of the Char Dham yatra is the sacred dwelling place of Goddess Yamuna – the girl of Sun God and cognizance, Sangya – since this is the westernmost sanctuary in the Garhwal Himalayas. One needs to travel 220 km from Rishikesh to make it to Hanumanchatti and another 13 km by walking, from there on, to arrive at Yamunotri.
How to reach Yamunotri:
Yamunotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and can be reached by road or by helicopter. The nearest railway station is Dehradun, and from there, it’s a 6-hour drive to Yamunotri. Pilgrims can also take a helicopter ride from Dehradun to the helipad at Janki Chatti, which is a 6-km trek from Yamunotri.
Gangotri
Gangotri, the following stop in the Char Dham travel, has a rich authentic past. As indicated by folklore, King Bhagiratha appealed to God for a large number of years to Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva, who at that point permitted the River Ganges – likewise called Bhagirathi – to slide from paradise to earth to clear Bhagiratha’s antecedents of their transgressions.
Notwithstanding, since the earth would have been totally crushed in view of the brutal power of water originating from paradise, Lord Shiva held her in his locks previously she arrived on earth. Jalamagna Shivalinga, which is a characteristic shake Shivalinga submerged in the waterway, is said to be where Lord Shiva held her. It is noticeable just in winter when the water levels subside.
How to reach Gangotri:
Gangotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and can be reached by road or by helicopter. The nearest railway station is Dehradun, and from there, it’s a 6-hour drive to Gangotri. Pilgrims can also take a helicopter ride from Dehradun to the helipad at Harsil, which is a 30-minute drive from Gangotri.
Kedarnath
Settled in the Rudraprayag area of Uttarakhand, Kedarnath is a standout amongst the most disengaged goals among the Char Dhams. Available just through a 14 km tough trek from Gaurikund, the place is situated close to Mandakini River in the midst of grand snow-clad mountains with stunning areas.
How to reach Kedarnath:
Kedarnath is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and can be reached by road or by helicopter. The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, and from there, it’s a 9-hour drive to Kedarnath. Pilgrims can also take a helicopter ride from Phata or Guptkashi to the helipad at Kedarnath.
Badrinath
Folklore says that Lord Vishnu came to perform meditation at this place called ‘Badri Van’ or berry cultivate after Narada criticized him for being immersed in common joys. His associate, Goddess Lakshmi, changed herself into a ‘Badri’ plant with a specific end goal to give shade and shield the Lord from the destructive beams of the Sun. God Vishnu turned out to be great content with this adoring motion and guaranteed that this place would dependably be known by her name. Thus, the place came to be known as ‘Badrinath’.
How to reach Badrinath:
Badrinath is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and can be reached by road or by helicopter. The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, and from there, it’s an 8-hour drive to Badrinath. Pilgrims can also take a helicopter ride from Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun to the helipad at Badrinath.
Things to do Char Dham Yatra:
The Char Dham Yatra is a Hindu pilgrimage that includes visiting four sacred sites in the Indian Himalayas: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Some recommended activities during the yatra include:
- Participate in the puja (worship) and take a dip in the hot springs at Yamunotri: Yamunotri is the first stop on the Char Dham Yatra and is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, who is considered to be the sister of Lord Yama, the god of death. At Yamunotri, pilgrims can participate in the puja and take a dip in the hot springs to purify their body and soul.
- Visit the temple of Ganga at Gangotri and take a dip in the holy river: Gangotri is the second stop on the Char Dham Yatra and is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to the goddess Ganga, who is considered to be the personification of the sacred river Ganges. Pilgrims visit the temple and take a dip in the river to purify their souls and seek blessings.
- Trek to the Kedarnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, and seek blessings: Kedarnath is the third stop on the Char Dham Yatra and is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu religion. Pilgrims undertake a challenging trek to reach the temple and seek blessings from Lord Shiva.
- Visit the Badrinath Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and participate in the evening aarti: Badrinath is the fourth and final stop on the Char Dham Yatra and is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered to be one of the holiest shrines of the Hindu religion. Pilgrims visit the temple and participate in the evening aarti to seek blessings from Lord Vishnu.
- Explore the scenic beauty of the Himalayas and local villages: The Char Dham Yatra takes pilgrims through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the Indian Himalayas. Pilgrims can take in the stunning views of the mountains and valleys, as well as visit local villages and experience the local culture and traditions.
- Visit the shrines and temples en route to each dham: Along the Char Dham Yatra route, there are many shrines and temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Pilgrims can visit these places of worship to seek blessings and purify their souls.
- Participate in local festivals and cultural programs: The Char Dham Yatra takes place during the months of May to October and coincides with many local festivals and cultural programs. Pilgrims can participate in these events to learn more about the local culture and traditions and to deepen their spiritual experience.
History
The Char Dham Yatra is a Hindu pilgrimage that includes visiting four sacred sites in the Indian Himalayas: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The exact history of the Char Dham Yatra is not well documented, but it is believed to have been initiated by Adi Shankaracharya, a Hindu philosopher, and saint, in the 8th century. According to legend, Adi Shankaracharya established the four dhams as a way for pilgrims to attain salvation and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Over time, the Char Dham Yatra has become an important pilgrimage for Hindus, attracting millions of pilgrims from all over India every year. The pilgrimage is considered to be particularly important for those seeking blessings for a happy life and for the salvation of their loved ones. The Char Dham Yatra is also considered to be a symbol of unity, as it is a common religious journey for Hindus of all castes, creeds, and backgrounds.
