Chardham Yatra
Subhash Kandpal
February 19, 2010
Chardham Yatra is referred to the four Hindu religious sites in Uttarakhand state of India. These are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. Nestled in the lap of majestic Himalayas, these four sites are the epicenter of religious activity in north India. Traditionally Chardham Yatra is undertaken from west to the east. Thus, the Yatra starts from Yamunotri, then proceeding to Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
Yamunotri and Gangotri are dedicated to goddesses Yamuna and Ganga respectively. On the other hand, Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva while Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Badrinath-the abode of Lord Vishnu is the holiest of the four main shrines. Cradled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan it lays along the left of the river Alaknanda. The temple of Shri Badrinathji dates back to the Vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 metes, the present temple was built about two centuries ago. Devotees take a holy dip in the natural thermal springs on the banks of the river Alaknanda, before entering the Sri Badrinathji Temple. The water of the Kund is believed to have medicinal properties.
Best time to visit Badrinath temple is from May to October since the temple remains open from first week of May to 2nd week of November.
Kedarnath- the abode of Lord Shiva is amidst the dramatic landscapes of the majestic Kedarnath range. Situated in the Uttar Kashi district of the northern state of Uttaranchal, it is the source of the Mandakini River. It is one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' of Kedar or Lord Shiva. Lying at an altitude of 3584 metes, the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus and is said to be more than a 1000 years old.
Best time to visit Kedarnath temple is between May and October.
Gangotri-the origin of the sacred river Ganges, attracts tourists in large numbers every year. This picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time. Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. It is on the northernmost part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border.
For the devotees and tourists, the gates of the temple are open only in the months of May to November.
Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred river Yamuna. Perched at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level, Yamunotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. It is very close to the Indo-Chinese border and is surrounded by the Himalayan offshoots on all sides. Yamunotri, lies near the Bandarpunch Mountain. The trek to Yamunotri is spectacular, dominated by a panorama of rugged peaks and dense forests.
Best time to visit Yamunotri is from April to July.
The four spots of Char Dham are located in the Holy Himalayas. Each of the four spots makes a perfect square in the triangular land of India. The Chardham Yatra takes to the four majestic abodes of God. These places also serve as the epicenter of all of India´s religious activities. It is believed that taking the Chardham Yatra would wash away a person´s sins. Also, it would ensure one´s release from the continuous cycle of birth and death.
About the Author:
Nestling in the haughty peaks is the Yatra to the four religious sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, collectively called Chardham Yatra. Undertake the Char Dham Yatra to wash away your sins. Also get released from the cycle of birth and death. Nature in its entire splendor, the Yatra to the Chardham is an experience that will stay with you and beyond. For more information visit www.chardham-pilgrimage-tour.com
Yamunotri and Gangotri are dedicated to goddesses Yamuna and Ganga respectively. On the other hand, Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva while Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Badrinath-the abode of Lord Vishnu is the holiest of the four main shrines. Cradled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan it lays along the left of the river Alaknanda. The temple of Shri Badrinathji dates back to the Vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 metes, the present temple was built about two centuries ago. Devotees take a holy dip in the natural thermal springs on the banks of the river Alaknanda, before entering the Sri Badrinathji Temple. The water of the Kund is believed to have medicinal properties.
Best time to visit Badrinath temple is from May to October since the temple remains open from first week of May to 2nd week of November.
Kedarnath- the abode of Lord Shiva is amidst the dramatic landscapes of the majestic Kedarnath range. Situated in the Uttar Kashi district of the northern state of Uttaranchal, it is the source of the Mandakini River. It is one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' of Kedar or Lord Shiva. Lying at an altitude of 3584 metes, the shrine of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus and is said to be more than a 1000 years old.
Best time to visit Kedarnath temple is between May and October.
Gangotri-the origin of the sacred river Ganges, attracts tourists in large numbers every year. This picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time. Couched in the magnificent Garhwal hills, Gangotri is at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level. It is on the northernmost part of the state of Uttar Pradesh and is very near the Indo-Tibetan border.
For the devotees and tourists, the gates of the temple are open only in the months of May to November.
Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred river Yamuna. Perched at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level, Yamunotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. It is very close to the Indo-Chinese border and is surrounded by the Himalayan offshoots on all sides. Yamunotri, lies near the Bandarpunch Mountain. The trek to Yamunotri is spectacular, dominated by a panorama of rugged peaks and dense forests.
Best time to visit Yamunotri is from April to July.
The four spots of Char Dham are located in the Holy Himalayas. Each of the four spots makes a perfect square in the triangular land of India. The Chardham Yatra takes to the four majestic abodes of God. These places also serve as the epicenter of all of India´s religious activities. It is believed that taking the Chardham Yatra would wash away a person´s sins. Also, it would ensure one´s release from the continuous cycle of birth and death.
About the Author:
Nestling in the haughty peaks is the Yatra to the four religious sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, collectively called Chardham Yatra. Undertake the Char Dham Yatra to wash away your sins. Also get released from the cycle of birth and death. Nature in its entire splendor, the Yatra to the Chardham is an experience that will stay with you and beyond. For more information visit www.chardham-pilgrimage-tour.com
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