By Indianfreebird | 
Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is a sacred journey of a lifetime. It is universally acknowledged that a person once in a lifetime long to visit sacred Chardhams for spiritual vibes. The high-altitude Chardham Shrines of Uttarakhand is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimages of India. Every year thousands of devotees undertake the challenging Himalayas journey to feel the essence of eternal peace. According to Mythology it is said that if you visit all the 4 Dhams, you will definitely be free from all the karmic backlogs of life.
In the land of Devbhoomi (The land of Gods), also known as Uttarakhand, the four sacred shrines of CharDhams are decked with lofty Himalayan mountains. These are one of the most visited spiritual destinations in India. The four sacred shrines of Chardham are Badrinath Dham, Gangotri Dham, Yamunotri Dham and Kedarnath Dham. Despite its spine chilling and challenging setting, devotees face all the challenges that come in their way and visit 4 Dhams to become one with the almighty. These are high-altitude shrines due to which the weather is extremely harsh. Hence, it remains closed for six months every year during winters starting from the month of October and opens in summer season
Yamunotri Dham is a commencing point of the holy CharDham Yatra. Every year devotees from all across the globe come here to get the blessings of divine Yamuna goddess and continue their darshan to the other dhams i.e Badrinath, Kedarnath and Gangotri. The temple of Yamunotri is the main highlight of Yamunotri Dham.
The temple is dedicated to goddess Yamuna. It is said that if you visit this temple and bathe in the serene waters of Yamuna River you will be free from the misfortune of untimely death. It is situated 3233 metres above sea level. The temple was built by Naresh Sudarshan Shan in 1839, he was the king of Tehri.
The temple is surrounded by Bandarpoonch Parvat and Kalind Parvat which make it absolutely stunning.
Apart from the temple being the main attraction, the other attraction is the thermal springs located in Janki Chatti. These are believed to be the kunds of the Hindu Goddess “Shakti.”
Gangotri Dham is the most revered and the most important temple of goddess river Ganga. It is one the popular CharDham pilgrimage destinations.
River Ganga is considered as the holiest river of India and here you will see the origin point of this sacred river at Gaumukh set in Gangotri Glacier.
The main highlight of Gangotri Dham is the holy temple of River Ganga.
It is said that River Ganga descended from heaven when Lord Shiva released from his locks. Situated at an altitude of 3415 metres,
the scenic surroundings of lofty Himalayas, pristine Bhagirathi River (Ganga) and the divine aura of Gangotri temple will surely blow your heart away.
Devotees visiting the temple always take a dip in the holy river. The surroundings also act as the perfect backdrop to the temple.
Kedarnath Dham is the holy abode of Lord Shiva. It is one of the top visiting pilgrimage destinations in India. It is one of the pilgrimage temples of
Char Dham located on the pristine banks of Mandakini River at an altitude of 3584 metres. The Jyotirlinga in the temple of Kedarnath is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of India.
Lord Shiva is worshipped as Sadashiv form in Kedarnath Temple. The idol of Lord Shiva is in conical rock formation.
There is an interesting story associated with Kedarnath Dham. It is said that Pandavas after defeating Kauravas in the battle of Mahabharata. They were feeling guilty of killing their own relatives.
So, they wanted to atone their sins by praying to Lord Shiva. But Lord Shiva was not easy to please. He kept eluding them by taking the form of a bull. Bhima, one of the five Pandavas recognized him and tried to catch him but
Lord Shiva in bull form dived into the ground leaving his hump on the surface of Kedarnath Shrine. Today we worship the hump of a bull in Kedarnath. The rest of his body fell into different places known as Panch Kedar Dhams.
The arms of the Lord Shiva worshipped in Tungnath Temple, belly at Madhyamaheshwar, Face at Rudranath and Locks at Kalpeshwar temple.
Located at an elevation of around 3100 metres, the sacred Dham of Badrinath is a popular pilgrimage destination in Uttarakhand.
It lies at the banks of the scenic Alaknanda River between the lofty Nar and Narayan ranges and Majestic Neelkanth peaks will be your forever companion to delight your soul.
The highlight of Badrinath Dham is the magnificent Badrinath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, also known as Badri Vishal.
The temple structure was built by kings of Garhwal. But originally the Badrinath Dham was established by Guru Adi Shankaracharya in the 9th century.
The idol of Badri Vishal is awe inspiring. Lord Badrinath has 4 arms. The first two arms holding up Shankh and Chakra and the other two arms resting on his lap in Yoga Mudra position.
The entire idol is made up of black stone.
It is also one of the 108 Divya Desams which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and considered to be holy shrines for Vaishanvites.
It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya would reside for six months in a year at this temple, and it was here that he acquired moksha, or freedom from the cycle of reincarnation.
The altitudes at which these four Dhams are situated is as impressive as their religious significance. While Yamunotri Dham is situated at an altitude of 3,293 meters, Gangotri Dham enjoys an altitude of 3,415 meters.
The altitude of Badrinath Dham is 3,100 meters while the altitude of Kedarnath Dham is 3,583 meters. Pilgrims taking the Char Dham Tour follow a particular sequence, in which Yamunotri Dham is visited first, followed by Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Pilgrims and devotees who undertake the Char Dham Darshan Yatra of Himalayas are driven by a desire to connect with the almighty and seek his blessings.
Immersing oneself completely in God’s worship is an experience which is almost indescribable.
All the four holy pilgrimage sites are located in the most picturesque locations in Uttarakhand. The natural backdrop against which
these temples or dhams are situated makes the entire experience even more wholesome, as devotees are offered a delightful mix of spirituality and sightseeing.
The routes to the Char Dhams in Uttarakhand are dotted with dense forests, lush meadows, lively waterfalls, happily flowing rivers and serene valleys. The natural beauty complements the spiritual journey,
and both come together to instill in you a joie de vivre.
Each shrine of 4 Dham is dedicated to a specific deity. You must know the significance and history
of each temple shrine to feel the essence of the place.
Visiting 4 Dham Shrines brings eternal peace and spiritual bliss to the devotees.
It is a belief in Hinduism that if you visit Char Dham shrines,
your bad karma will be removed and you will be free from all your sins.
But the visit to 4 Dham Yatra is not limited to this thought.
In a deeper sense Char Dham Yatra is a Himalayan pilgrimage journey to discover yourself.
This yatra is challenging and always brings out moments of self-introspection. In the world full of chaos,
we hardly get a chance to know our inner being/spiritual being. So, the calm, remote and serene environment of 4 Dhams brings out
the peace in you and you feel closer to your own self. It’s like complete detoxification of the body from negative thoughts. Moreover,
see how beautifully the visit to Chardhams keeps intact the spiritual unity of India.
Visiting 4 Dhams means you will see the old Hindu traditions and cultures of the mountain which will bring the sense of oneness and purity of soul.
Thousands of devotees visit Chardhams for different reasons but see how people get united for this sacred pilgrimage with strong faith. One must visit the sacred 4 Dhams of India.
One must consider weather and climate details of Char Dham destinations before starting their pilgrimage tour of 4 Dhams.
As the weather of these high-altitude areas is drastic and changes throughout the year.
Winters November to March
The extreme cold weather is at its peak during winters. The entire surroundings are covered under snow making Chardhams inaccessible to the devotees.
It is due to this reason 4 Dham portals are closed for 6 months in winter. The temperature goes below sub-zero level with heavy snowfall.
Summer- April to June
The weather during summer remains moderately cold but it is a peak season for Chardham Pilgrimage tour. You will be able to do sightseeing.
Nature’s bliss and snow-clad peaks will blow your heart away. The temperature ranges up to 17-degree Celsius.
Monsoon – July – August
You will see a gradual decrease in temperature due to rainfall. Landslides are very common during this time. The temperature ranges from 12 to 13 degree Celsius.
It is not actually very favourable to visit the temples due to this weather but winters totally make these places inaccessible to the devotees. So, it is better
to travel in monsoon for darshan. It’s not that bad. Precautions needed to be taken for darshan in monsoon.
Autumn – September and October
It is also a very pleasant time to travel to Uttarakhand and start the Himalayan pilgrimage journey of Char Dham.
The temperature ranges up to 7 to 10 degrees Celsius. The landscapes after monsoon are a visual treat to see. The greenery looks greener.
The weather will be very pleasant for sightseeing and Chardham pilgrimage tour.
Pandukeshwar
In route to the holy abode of Badrinath, it’s a place where the father of Pandavas worshipped Lord Shiva. There are two very popular Temples in this place which you must visit – Yogadhyan Temple and Lord Vasudev Temple.
Mana Village
Uttarakhand government declared Mana as a ‘Tourism Village’. It is also declared as the last village of India. Located in Chamoli, the village is absolutely stunning. Surrounded by lofty Himalayan mountains, the ambiance will give you delight.
Charan Paduka
The main attraction here is the sacred rock which is said to have the foot impressions of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the most popular destinations of Badrinath.
Brahma Kapal
Brahma Kapal cannot be missed if you are in Badrinath Dham. The place has a great religious significance. People come here to perform prayers and rituals for departed souls of family members and ancestors.
Surya Kund
Located in Uttarkashi near Gangotri Temple, you must visit SurajKund to worship the Sun God. The view of Suraj Kund waterfall will definitely mesmerise your soul.
Gangnani
Scenically rich, Gangnani is one of the best places to look for nature lovers in Uttarkashi. The tranquil and serene surroundings also make it one of the best spots for meditation. Don’t miss the thermal water springs of Gangnani. Take a holy dip here before visiting Gangotri Temple.
Bhairon Ghati
Surrounded by the scenic dense forests, Bhairon Ghati is 10km from Gangotri Temple. You will also see the serene banks of Jahanvi River and the confluence of Jat Ganga and Bhagirathi River.
Gangotri Glacier
Don’t miss one of the largest glaciers of Garhwal Himalayas. Originating from the Chaukhamba range of Peaks, you will be spellbound to see its beauty. It is also a popular trekking destination for adventure lovers in Uttarakhand. You can also visit Gomukh which is located close to this place.
Janki Chatti
Janki Chatti is a very popular tourist attraction known for its serene hot water springs and fascinating trekking trails. It’s a resting point for those pilgrims who are travelling to Yamunotri.
Kharsali
Located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Kharsali is a wonderful hill station which you must visit. It is one of the less explored destinations in Uttarakhand. Also known as Khushi math, Kharsali is a winter seat of Goddess Yamuna. It also houses the oldest Shani dev Temple where the idol of Goddess Yamuna is kept.
Divya Shila
Slab of Divine light/ Divya Shila is a fascinating stone pillar located near Yamunotri. Worshipping Divya Shila before entering Yamunotri temple is auspicious. It’s a part of the puja ritual of Yamunotri temple.
Sonprayag,br/>
Lies at the confluence of two sacred rivers Basuki and Mandakini, Sonprayag is a lush green valley covered with lofty Himalayan mountains. Its beauty will enchant your soul. You can also visit Triyuginarayan temple which is located in Triyugi village. It is very close to Sonprayag.
Gaurikund
Kedarnath shrine is located 16km away from Gaurikund. Named after goddess Parvati, Gaurikund is a very popular pilgrimage destination famous for the temple of Gauri. You will also see the serene Vasuki ganga which flows from here. It is said that Lord Shiva accepted the marriage proposal of Goddess Gauri at this place.
Rudra Cave
Located near Kedarnath Shrine, Rudra Cave is an underground meditation cave constructed by Nehru mountaineering Institute. If you want some peaceful moments then consider this place for some eternal peace.
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