Char Dham Yatra
According to the Hindu mythology the four holy shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath - collectively known as the Chardham are the most sacred and holy of all pilgrimages. It is believed that undertaking a journey to these holy places not only washes away one’s sins but also ensures an end from the cycle of birth and death.
High up in the Garhwal Himalayas, these four ancient temples mark the spiritual sources of the four sacred rivers of Hinduism: the Yamuna (Yamunotri), the Ganges (Gangotri), the Mamdakini (Kedarnath) and the Alaknanda (Badrinath). All have spectacular locations and draw thousands of pilgrims every year.
Yamunotri is the source of river Yamuna, the second most sacred river in India. The river emerges from a frozen lake of ice and glaciers on the Kalinda Parvat Mountain at an altitude of 4421 metres.
Gangotri is one of the holiest places in India. As the source of the Ganges (known as Bhagirathi until it reaches Devaprayag). The 18th century Gangotri Temple has a ghat where the devout bathe. Nearby is the rock on which lord Shiva is said to have received the Ganga in his matted locks.
Kedarnath is the source of river Mandakini. One of the best known Shivasthalams in India, Kedarnath is revered as one of the 12 Jyotirlingams. This ancient shrine is accessible only on foot, six months in a year.
Sacred to lord Vishnu, the ancient pilgrim centre of Badrinath represents the source of the Alaknanda River. Of Badrinath, it has been said “…there are manu sacredspots of pilgrimage in the heavens, earth and the neither world, but there has been none equal to Badri, nor shall there be”
Open only for six months a year, this temple has an image of Badrinarayan, flanked by kuber and garuda, Narada, Narayana and Nara. Mahalakshmi referred to as Arvindavalli in the Sri Vaishnava tradition) has a sanctum in the prakaram. There is also a shrine of Adi Shankaracharya.
Ritual offerings to Pitrus (souls of the dead) are performed at Brahma Kapalam (located at a distance of 200 ft from the main shrine) on the banks of Alaknanda.