The Char Dham is a set of four pilgrimage sites in In Utarakhand that are considered essential for attaining moksha or spiritual enlightenment. These Hindu spiritual places include Badrinath, Kedarnath,Yamnotri and Gangotri It is believed that each Hindu must visit all four at least once during their lifetime. Hindu believe in trinity of Brahma Vishnu and Mahesh, Brahma is the creator, Mahesh or Shiva is the destroyer while Vishnu is the sustainer of all life process, Kedarnath is dedicated to lord Shiva, he is considered as the God who is responsible for the apocalypse when all the known creation comes to an end. Lord Badri vishal is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The rivers Ganga and Yamuna are considered sacred in Hinduism the place from where these rivers originate in deep Himalayas are considered very holy and these two Gangotri and Yamnotri make up the two sacred Dhams. There was a time when there were no proper roads in this hill state so very less people could travel upto these sacred places but now there are modern roads which are under renovation and modernization most of these religious places also have the facility of helicopter for the devotees so now millions of devotees are visiting these shrines every year.
Kedarnath Yatra
The pilgrims visit Kedarnath temple, which is the highest in the country. They pray to Lord Shiva and worship him as Kedar Nath, which is another name for Lord Shiva. The region of Kedar Khand is now part of Uttarakhand. The 18-km trek to the temple makes the trip a major accomplishment for religious pilgrims. However, it’s not all about worshipping Lord Shiva!
It’s important to remember that the weather in Kedarnath often turns bad during the day. Since there are no shelters within three km of the site, pilgrims get soaked and may even experience hypothermia. The Chardham Yatra began on May 3 after a two-year hiatus. The Chardham yatra is a pilgrimage to four sacred Hindu sites in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Kedarnath
While making the journey to Kedarnath during the Chaar Dhaam Yatra, it is important to remember certain precautions to ensure your safety. As much as possible, carry only the necessary items with you and a registered porter in every location. Avoid carrying too much luggage, and consult a doctor before going on the Yatra. The altitude of the pilgrimage can be hazardous, and the pilgrims should be given a break at lower altitudes.
There are two aartis during the day – morning aarti at 5:35 AM and evening aarti at 6:30 PM. In case of heavy crowds, the aarti can be performed by a private helicopter. Alternatively, a motorable vehicle can be rented to travel to Kedarnath from Gaurikund.
Visiting these sacred shrines is an ideal way to connect with nature and the ancient Hindu tradition. The Chardham Yatra is a circuit of four main religious destinations that will help you reach the holy places of the four adobes and help you achieve salvation. The pilgrims should make this trip during the summer or autumn months to see the sacred sites during their peak season. The weather conditions in the Himalayas can make the journey difficult and cold, but the benefits are worth it.
In year 2013 the entire area of Kedarnath was devastated in large scale floods resulting in deaths of thousands of devotees and loss of public property the temple was saved from the ravaging floods by a gigantic stone now called as Bhim shila, This huge stone boulder can be seen at the back of the Kedarnath shrine.
Kedarnath is a great place for a pilgrimage. The Hindus consider it one of the holiest places for a pilgrim. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, and it’s dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Badrinath Yatra
Badrinath as a sacred holy site was mentioned in the Vedic scriptures from approximately 1750 to 500 BC. The Badrinath temple was built in the ninth century by Adi Shankaracharya, The architecture of the temple is motivated by the Buddhist religion. In fact, it is believed that Adi Shankaracharya discovered the deity of Badrinath in the Alaknanda River and built the temple in a cave near the Taptkund. The temple falls in the Chamoli district of Utarakhand The deity Badri vishal or the Badri narayan is carved out from a black granite stone and is also called by the name “Shaligram” the deity has a chakra and a shankha(conch) in two hands on either side. The devotees also bathe in the hot spring before standing in the long serpentine queue for the holy darshan. The story of Lord Vishnu performing penance at Badrinath and Goddess Lakshmi offering shelter to him can be heard at the temple. At the same time, the temple is also known as the Badri narayan.
.When it comes to preparing for the Chaar Dhaam Yatra, there are two primary options: flying or driving. Both options are safe and convenient, but you’ll still need to prepare for extreme weather conditions. Pack a variety of clothes, including heavy woolens. The altitude may be uncomfortable, and you may experience breathing difficulties. Make sure you pack any essential medications you need to stay healthy. Make sure to check the quality of all food before traveling..
The Char Dham Yatra involves four holy pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas. The four locations are Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Gangotri. Those who are serious about a spiritual journey will find the Chaar Dhaam a particularly sacred experience. During the Chaar Dham Yatra, you’ll experience the majesty of the four places. The Badrinath Temple Dwar opens for pilgrims from 8th May until 26th October 2022. The Mangal Aarti occurs at 4:30 AM and the Shayan Aarti takes place at 8:30 PM.
Yamnotri Dham
The first of the Dhams you will visit during your Yatra is Yamunotri Dham. It is the location of the sacred river Yamuna. A large Lingam was brought from Kailash by Lord Hanuman, and Goddess Sita constructed a smaller sanctum made of sand. While visiting Yamnotri Dham
Yamuna is a river gushing from the Kalind Parvat.Yamuna is believed to be the sister of Yama the death God It is believed that the water poured from the Yamuna’s source cleanses sins and protects from painful death. In the winter, the Yamuna Temple is closed, so the idol is taken to Kharsali village in Uttarkashi and placed in the Shani dev Temple for six months.
The pilgrimage is a spiritual journey, as it is believed to absolve sins. There are many legends associated with this yatra,
Once at the temple, pilgrims will have a puja ceremony, and will be served lunch and dinner. There is limited lodging in Yamunotri, but there are some dharamshalas available. Some of these include the Ramanand Ashram, Kali Kamli Dharamshala, and Kalindi Ashram. In addition, the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam also runs dormitories and guesthouses in Barkot.
Before beginning your Chaar Dhaam Yatra to Yaunotri Dham, you must register with the Utarakhand Government and provide as a biometric pilgrim. Biometric registration is available in major Uttarakhand cities, as well as at Jankichatti. Make sure you bring your AADHAR CARD with you so you can present it to the biometric registration officer when you arrive. Also, be sure to check the temple timings before you leave. The temple opens at 6am and closes at 8pm.
Gangotri Dham
The Chaar Dhaam Yatra takes you to the holy town of Gangotri, which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Ganges. The town is located on the banks of the mighty River Ganga. The Ganga originates from the Gaumukh glacier near the town of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. The mighty river was freed from its locks by Lord Shiva, and the shrine here is dedicated to the Goddess. Bhagiratha the ancient sage is known to have brought river Ganges from heavens to the earth, its said the river had such a force that Lord Shiva provided his locks to reduce the ferocity of the waters, Thus mother earth was able to receive river Ganges.
The shrine of Gangotri is the source of the sacred river, the Ganges. Located at an altitude of 3200 meters above sea level, the shrine is a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus. This yatra also includes visits to Kedarnath and Badrinath, two of the most important pilgrimage sites in India. These sites are open for pilgrimage from April to October.
The yatra’s first two portals opened on Tuesday, April 25, 2022. The gates at Yamunotri and Gangotri are now open, while Kedarnath and Badrinath will open on May 6 and 8, respectively. There is a daily limit of 7,000 pilgrims per day to each of the three holy sites. The chief minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, visited both of the sites on Tuesday.
The Char Dham Yatra is one of the holiest pilgrimages in the world. The Char Dham circuit contains four holy pilgrimage sites located in four different corners of India. Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, while Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Gangotri is a shrine dedicated to Mata Ganga and Yamunotri is dedicated to the goddess Yamuna.
