Chardham pilgrimage tour is meant to conciliate your moral and spiritual tempts. To savor the spiritual expedition for complete rejuvenation of mind and soul, Gangotri Dham is the ideal location. Gangotri, which is the origin of the sacred river Ganga attracts many tourists every year. The confrontation with the daunting rivers and attempts to unravel the mysteries of the supernatural world are omnipresent here.
Magnificently couching amongst the royal Garhwal hills of Himalaya, the Gangotri temple is elevated at an altitude of 3048 meters above the sea level. It is located at the northernmost part of Uttarakhand state and is very near to Indo-Tibetan border in Uttrakashi district. The summers are relatively cool and winters are freezing cold, with rains in the months of May and June. For the devotees, the doors to Gangotri Dham are open only in the months of May to November.
It is being believed that to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath’s sons, Goddess Ganga descended in earth and so is also called Bhagirathi and the origin is called Gangotri that literally means, “Ganga Utari= Gangotri”.
One can witness a natural rock “Shivling”, submerged in the river is an amazing sight reinforcing the power of divinity. It is the same spot where Lord Shiva received the strong waves of river Ganga in his matted locks. The 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.
Gangotri tour offers you a visit to the 18th century Gangotri temple which is an exquisite 20 ft high structure made of white granite and people can come here to catch the holy glimpse of Goddess Ganga which is one of the form of Shakti(power). A single sacred dip to this river will wash away all their sins which is the believed myth in Hindu religion.
Sightseeing at Kedarnath -
Gangotri Temple
The 18th century's temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga is located near a sacred stone where King Bhagirath worshipped Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. According to another legend, Pandavas performed the great 'Deva Yagna' here to atone for the deaths of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple is an exquisite 20 ft.high structure made of white granite. Nandanvan Tapovan
An arduous trek along the Gangotri Glacier leads to scenic Nandanvan - the base camp for the Bhagirathi peaks, that offers a panoramic view of the surrounding Shivaling peak. A trek across the snout of the Gangotri Glacier leads to Tapovan known for its beautiful meadows that encircle the base of the Shivling Peak. Uttarkashi (99 kms.)
An important pilgrimage centre, situated at an elevation of 1,150 mts. above sea level on the bank of river Bhagirathi. Some of the important temples worth visiting are Vishwanath temple, Ekadash Rudra temple, Gyaneshwar temple and Kuteti Devi Temple. Nearby is the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. Every year, during the 'Magh Mela' people visit Uttarkashi to take a holy dip in the Bhagirathi along with the image of their village deity. Kedar Tal (18 kms.)
An enhancing lake, 4425 mts. above sea level against the splendid backdrop of mighty Thalaiyasagar peak. Accessible through arough mountain trail, it is the base camp for trekking to surrounding peaks. The trek to Kedartal needs a local guide. Gaumukh (18 kms.)
The snout of the Gangotri Glacier and the source of the Bhagirathi river. Pilgrims trek upto the sacred spot on foot or on ponies to take a holy dip in the ice-cold water. Dayara Bugyal (93 kms.)
A breathtakingly beautiful meadow, situated at a height of 3,048 mts. above sea level. A motorable road connects Bhatwari (27 kms. from Uttarkashi) with Raithal village, from where follows a 6 kms. long trek to Dayara. The famous Sheshnag Temple enroute is an attraction of the trek. From Dayara, one can also trek down to Dodi Tal (30 kms.). During winters, Dayara provides excellent ski slopes over an area of 28 sq.kms. Nachiketa Tal (131 kms.)
A pleasant trek through lush green forests leads to this peaceful retreat. A small temple along the lake and lovely surroundings are an attraction. Tehri (173 kms.)
Lying at the confluence of Bhagirathi and Bhilganga rivers is the former capital of Tehri Garhwal principality. It is the site of a giant hydel project. Narendranagar (239 kms.)
The new capital of erstwhile Tehri state, offers a magnificent view of the Ganga valley of Rishikesh and the plains of Haridwar.
How To Reach- Airport- Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 226 kms. Railhead- Rishikesh, 249 kms. Road- Well connected to Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi
General Information About Gangotri:
Altitude : 4140
Temperature :
Summer: Max. 20 deg.C.
Min. 6 deg.C .
Winter : Max. Sub-Zero
Min. Snowbound
Clothing:
May to July: - Light woollen
Sept. to Nov.:- Heavy woolens
Langauage/Dialects:- Hindi, English & Garhwali .
Best Season :- May to June and September to October .
Yamunotri Dham is one of the fours shrines of 4Dham Yatra which is famous for the source of Yamuna River. Thousands of pilgrims find the Yamunotri temple the most pious site to find redemption which is located at the left bank of river Yamuna. The Yamunotri temple was originally retraced by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal in the Uttrakashi district.
Yamunotri Dham which is famous for thermal springs and glaciers is one of the most important stopovers on the itinerary of the Hindu pilgrims. Perching at an altitude of 3293 meters above the sea level, Yamunotri tour is going to be a very revering experience for you where the Yamunotri temple is located very close to Indo Chinese border and is surrounded by the Himalayan off shoots from all the sides. The glacier lake of Saptrishi kund on the Kalindi Parbat is the real source of the river Yamuna. The whole panorama remains snow bound during winters and it is always advised to carry woolen clothes during the Yamunotri tour since the temperature falls below 0° Celsius and remains cool even during summers.
The shrine of Yamunotri Dham attracts thousands of devotees all across the world during the month of May to October. It is being believed that the springs surrounded at the Yamunotri temple has great effective blessings and therefore pilgrims carry raw potato and rice which dip in the hot spring and take them as Prasad in the form of Goddess Yamuna’s blessings.
We offer you the most highlighted Yamunotri tour with attractive Yamunotri tour package and cover all the important destinations for the most soothing and raising spiritual expedition. You can succumb the astonishing 4 Dham Yatra by marking a remarkable presence at the holy door of Yamunotri Temple.
Yamunotri Yatra
The Himalayas have been sanctified with some of the divine Hindu pilgrimage sites and Yamunotri is one of them. Yamunotri is the Garhwal Mountains of Uttarkashi region is perched on the edge of the Bandhar Poonch Peak at an altitude of 10,805 ft. Situated in beautiful surroundings, Yamunotri is a marvelous pilgrimage religious site that is visited by a large number of tourists every year. It constitutes one of the four most important pilgrimages, the first stopover of the 'Char Dham Yatra' of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Yamunotri is the source of the revered river Yamuna, which originates from the Champasar Glacier on the Kalinda Parvat at 14,502 ft. The chief attraction of Yamunotri pilgrimage is the temple devoted to goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Jankichatti. A bath in the hot springs close to the temple is very refreshing after an exhausting 13 kms trek from Hanuman Chatti or 5 kms from Janki Chatti. The Surya Kund, whose waters are used for cooking prasad, and Divya Shila, a rock pillar, are also major attractions of Yamunotri pilgrimage.
History
History has it that, Yamuna is the consort of Lord Shri Krishna. Gokula, the divine abode of the Lord is the home of Yamuna.It is believed that, the river first went round Shri Krishna before descending down to earth as per the order of her Lord. River Yamuna came to be called "Kalindi" as she touched the peak of Kalind. Then she descended down the hills and reached the plains at Khandav Vana, which has been developed as Delhi city now.
According to tradition, Yamuna and Yama are believed to be the offspring of Sun God 'Surya'. Hence it is considered that whoever takes a dip in the holy waters of the source stream of Yamuna is spared a painful death.
Yatra
The Shrine of Yamunotri, source of river Yamuna is situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri and the road bifurcates and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a place between Rishikesh-Uttarkashi. Yamunotri can also be visited via Mussoorie and Barkot. Situated at an elevation of 3235 metres above sea level, the Yamunotri pilgrimage is one of the four pilgrimages popularity know as ‘char dhams’. The source of Yamuna lies about 1 km ahead at the altitude of about 4421 metres. The approach is extremely difficult and pilgrims therefore offer puja (prayers) at the Yamunotri temple itself. There are hot springs close to the temple; a bath in them is very invigorating especially after a tedious 13 kms trek from Hanumanchatti or 5 kms from Janki Chatti.
Places To Visit
Upon reaching Yamunotri, stop at Divya Shila, a rock pillar worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple. On the left bank of the River Yamuna lies the Yamunotri Temple built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the last decade of the 19th Century and dedicated to the River. In 1923, the Temple was destroyed in an earthquake but the idols were spared. The Yamunotri temple was rebuilt and damaged again by heavy snow and rain in 1982. This temple houses a silver idol bedecked with garlands, believed to be of Yamuna, and an image of her brother Yama.
Close to the Yamunotri temple, there are a number of thermal springs, which flow into numerous pools. The most important and sacred of these is the Surya Kund, used to prepare the prasad or holy offerings to the deity. The prasad, an offering of rice and potatoes is tied in the cloth bags and dipped in the water of the pool. The water is so hot that the prasad gets cooked within no time. The Surya Kund, a thermal spring, is famous for its remedial properties. The temperature here is as high as 190°F. The pool is named after Surya or the sun god, the father of Yamuna.
When To Go The Yamunotri temple remains closed from November to April. The best time for going on the Yamunotri pilgrimage is from May to June and September to October.
Getting There
Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 196 kms away is the closest airport of Yamunotri. Rishikesh, 231 kms away, and Dehradun 172 kms are the closest railheads. Dharasu, 107 kms; Tehri, 149 kms; Rishikesh, 213 kms and Dehradun, 172 kms are accessible from Yamunotri.
General Information About Yamunotri:
Altitude : 3165
Temperature :
Summer: Max. 20 deg.C.
Min. 6 deg.C .
Winter : Max. Sub-Zero
Min. Snowbound
Clothing:
May to July: - Light woollen
Sept. to Nov.:- Heavy woolens
Langauage/Dialects:- Hindi, English & Garhwali .
Best Season :- May to June and September to October .
One of the most sparkling pilgrimages at the Garhwal
ranges that glorify every pilgrim is the famous Kedarnath
Dham. Kedarnath temple is the supreme abode of Lord
Shiva and people believe that one can visit the pure image
of “Mahadev” in the form of “Jyotirlinga” (linga of light).
The most inaccessible site of Char Dham Tour, the
Kedarnath dham is elevated at the height of 3584m above
the sea level near the pious Mandakini River and is
flanked through the breathtaking snow capped peaks.
People from all over the world are not only flattered to find
the original form of Lord Shiva but can also mesmerize
themselves to discover the site of Shankaracharya’s
Samadhi while heeding through Kedarnath tour. Although
the actual Kedarnath temple is an impressive stone edifice
of unknown date.
We are presenting you the attractive Kedarnath Yatra
package that can make your Kedarnath tour accessible
through a paved path from Gaurikund that is connected
with Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and other important
hill stations of the Garhwal and Kumaon regions in
Uttarakhand. Take the full pleasure of Kedarath
Pilgrimage tour with Kedarnath Pilgrimage Yatra package
which arranges the trip only during the months of May to October.
Places to See ( Kedarnath)
Gandhi Sarovar : A small lake from where Yudhishthir
, the eldest of the Pandavas, is said to have departed to
heaven. A km trek from Kedarnath, floating ice on the
crystal clear waters.
Gaurikund :Base for a trek to Kedarnath & serves as a
roadhead, the village has hot springs & a temple
dedicated to Gauri.
Vasuki Tal : 6 km. At 4135 mtr. above sea level, this lake
is extraordinary, surrounded by high mountains and
offering an excellent view of the Chaukhamba peaks.
Sonprayag :20 km. The confluence of the Son Ganga
and Mandakini rivers, where there is a diversion for
Triyuginarayan.
Triyuginarayan : 25 km. the mythological venue where
the wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati was solemnized. It
is a short trek of 5 km from Son Prayag. An eternal flame,
which is said to have been the witness to the marriage,
burns in front of the temple even today.
Guptkashi : 49 km. Famous for the temples of
Ardhnarishwar and Vishwanathji.
Chopta : Situated on the Gopeshwar Ukhimath road
about 40 km from Gopeshwar at an altitude of about 2500
mtrs above sea level, Chopta is one of the most
picturesque spots in the entire Garhwal region. It provides
a breathtaking view of Himalayan ranges surrounding it
Deoria Tal.
At an altitude of 2,440 mt., this beautiful lake is situated on
the Chopta - Ukhimath motor road. In the early morning,
the snow-capped peaks are clearly reflected.
on the lake waters. This lake also provides an excellent
venue for angling, as well as birdwatching.
Panch Kedar : kedarnath, madmaheshwar, tungnath,
rudranath, kalpeshwer are the five most important
temples of Lord Shiva in garhwal Himalayas. They are
known as Panch Kedar.
Best Season to Visit : Temple is open only for six months every year. Time to visit is usually May to November (because of the unpredictable climate it is always beneficial to gather the latest weather report)
Reaching Kedarnath:
The Kedarnath shrine, at an altitude of 3,581 mtrs. It is a 14 kms trek from Gaurikund. You can take a bus or taxi from Rishikesh via Rudraprayag and Chamoli to reach Chopta, the base camp for the trek to Tungnath. Another approach is via Ukhimath and Doggalbitta on the Badri-Kedar route. From Chopta, a 3.5-km trek brings you to Tungnath Temple. Air :Reach Delhi and take a train or a bus route to Rishikesh. By Train :Nearest railway station is at Rishikesh (297 kms) from Kedarnath. Road : There are no direct bus routes to Kedarnath. There are deluxe and ordinary bus services to Rishikesh from most parts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and other towns in Garhwal. From Rishikesh one can take a bus and thereon take a trek route.
Trek Route To Kedarnath : Kedarnath is 41 mile trek from Badrinath. However by road one has to drive 220 miles and undertake a 19 kms. on foot.
Shopping In Kedarnath :
Ornamental brass work is a major attraction in the local markets.One can buy woollens and local handicrafts.
Badrinath templeis one of the famed shrines of Chardham Yatra dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the pilgrims can find the captivating images of Lord Vishnu at distinct places inside the temple. Situated along with Alaknanda River on the hills of Uttrakhand state (at Chamouli district), Badrinath Dham is one of the holiest temples for the Hindus. The major attraction of Badrinath Dham is the one meter tall statue of Vishnu in the form of Lord Badrinarayan made up of black “Saligram” stone. This statue is known to be one of the eight self-manifested statues of Vishnu in a meditative postureOne can be surely redeemed to find different hot springs around the temple during the Badrinath tour. The visitors can find the opportunity of six months every year to catch the glimpses of the vivid images of Lord Vishnu. We offer you the amazing Badrinath Yatra package for the holy visit to this famous shrine. The Historical and Religious Aspects of Shri Badrinath Temple : The temple's was built by the Kings of Garhwal about two centuries ago.The temple has three sections - Garbhagriha (Sanctum), The Darshan Mandap, and Sabha Mandap. The Garbhagriha (Sanctum) houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar & Narayan. Lord Badri Narayan (also called as Badri Vishal) is armed with Shankh (Conch) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two arms rested on the lap in Yogamudra.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana - vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. Also here are the idols of Adi Shankar, Swami Desikan and Shri Ramanujan Guru-Shisya parampara is supposed to have its roots here.The principal image is of black stone and it represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garuda (Vahana - vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi. Places to see in Badrinath: The pilgrimage centre boasts of two natural hot water springs - Tapt Kund and Surya Kund. The sulphurous waters have a temperature of 55 oC. A bath in these springs is believed to purify the body and soul and is done before visiting the temple. Panch Badris :Vishal Badri : Refers to the main Shri Badri Narayan Temple and is considered to be the most sacred. Yogathyan Badri : Located at a distance of 24 kms from Badri Nath and at 20 kms from Joshimath. This is also the place where Maharaj Pandu (father of the Pandava princes) prayed to Pandukeshwar. Bhavishya Badri : This is located at 17 kms from Joshimath and is a small village. Preetha Badri: Located at 17 kms from Joshimath at a place called Animath. Adi Shankar is believed to have worshipped Lord Badrinath here for some time. Adi Badri : This is located at a distance of 16 kms from Karnaprayag. Several temples constructed during Gupt Dynasty are here of which Mana Narayanan temple is considered to be the most popular one. Village Mana - Vyas Gufa : This village, located at a distance of 3 kms from Badri is the last Indian Village situated in the Indo-China Border and has gained historical importance on account of Vyas Caves. This village, located on the banks of River Saraswati (only place where this river can be seen) is very beautiful. Vyas Maharishi (Sage), author of Mahabharat is believed to have lived in the caves. These are named after him. It was in these caves, Vyas Maharishi composed the Mahabharata. This was done at the orders of his mentor Kalpatru Maharishi who appeared in his dream. Mahabharata depicts the history of Pandavs, Kauravs including Kurukshetra War and most importantly Bhagawad Gita authored by Krishna (reincarnation of Vishnu). Shri Badrinath DhamGanesh, the son of Shiv & Parvati, is said to have helped Vyas Maharishi in putting this epic in the written form, the beginning of education in written form. In addition to Mahabharat, Vyas Maharishi composed 18 puranas (legendary stories), Brahma Sutras and classified the Hindu Vedas into 4 parts - Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. It is only in this cave that Adi Shankara is believed to have met Vyas Maharishi and discussed his Bhashyam (explanatory notes) for Brahma Sutras. Rock formation inside the Vyas Gufa appears to resemble the orderly stacking of palm leave manuscripts - oldest writing material and is worshipped as Vyas Pusthak. Vyas Maharishi is also considered, by some, as reincarnation of Vishnu. Shri Badrinath DhamAnother Cave called as Ganesh Guha (cave) is also located in this village. Valley of Flowers : One of the most idyllic valleys in the world, was discoverd by Frank S. Smythe, in 1931. The valley is profuse with a plethora of vibrant flowers, hence the name. Nearby, flows the river Pushpavati, while the massive Rataban peak forms a splendid backdrop. Govindghat : Situated between Joshimath and Badrinath, Gobindghat is the starting point for the trek to the valley. Lok-Pal Hemkund : One of the most famous Gurudwaras in India, Hemkund Sahib is located here, at an altitude of 4320 metres above sea level. Nearby, is the Lok-Pal Hemkund lake, with its crystal clear waters, and four peaks surrounding it. Mata Murti Mandir About 3 km from Badrinath, on the right bank of the Alaknanda stands this temple, dedicated to the mother of Shri Badrinath. Vasuki Tal : This is a high altitude lake which can be reached by an 8 km trek that ascends to 14,200 feet. Vyas Gufa, Ganesh Gufa, Bhimpul and Vasudhara Falls are 3-6 km. All these destinations are famous for their links with Hindu mythology and form part of the pilgrimage to Badrinath. Joshimath : The first mutt established by Shri Adi Sankara, is located at a distance of 14 kms from Helang enroute to Badri. Adi Sankara is believed to have got enlightenment here and authored Sri Sankara Bhashyam. This located at a height of 6150 ft above sea level. Here, there are separate temples for Lord Narasimha and Lord Vasudev (different forms of Lord Vishnu). This is one of the 108 Divya Desams (sung by Sacred Vaishnavaite Saints). In the temple for Lord Narasimha, separate statues of Badri narayan, Uthavar, Kuber, Chandikadevi, Ram, Lakshman, Sita and Garud can be seen together in the sanctum sanctorum. Outside the temple separate statues of Brahma, Krishana, Lakshmi & Anjaneya can be seen. Vyas Maharishi is believed to have worshipped Goddess Lakshmi here. The presiding deity Lord Narasimha is believed to have been established by Adi Sankara. It is widely believed that one hand of the presiding deity is getting weakened and the day it disjoints, the way to Badri will get eternally blocked and Lord Badri Narayan will thereafter give darshan only from either Bhavishya Badri or Adi Badri (part of Panch Badris). The temple of Lord Vasudev houses Lord Vasudev in the sanctum sanctorum as well as Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Leela devi, Oorvasi devi & Balram in the outer praharam. Further separate structures are available for Vinayaka, Brahma, Indira, Chandran(Moon), Navadurgas & Gauri Shankar. Pandukeshwar : This place is believed to have been established by King Pandu, father of Pandavas. It is situated at 4kms from Govind Ghat, 219 kms from Kedarnath and 24 kms from Badrinath. There are two temples - one for Lord Yogabadri Narayan and the other for Lord Vasudev. During winter, Lord Vasudev temple will function as the abode for Lord Badri Narayan and all the daily rituals connected with worship are performed here. Both the temples are quite old. The temple remains closed from October to April due to severe winter conditions. During this period the idols of Utsavo murti are taken to Pandukeshwar. General Information : Temperature : Summer : Max:- 10.C. Min-.0 deg.C. Winter Max- Sub-Zero, Min-Snowbound Clothing : Summer- woolen. Languages/Dialects : Hindi, English & Garhwali. Best Season : May to June and September to October. Travel Information : Airport - Jolly Grant,located at Dehradun, which is 315 kms away. Railhead The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, which is at a distance of 292 kms. Best Time To Visit : Ideal time for visiting the shrine will be between May to November. One should,carry Sweaters, woolen clothing, Umbrella and required medicines during the trip. Minimum luggage should be preferred. Non-vegetarian food and alcoholic drinks are strictly prohibited in this place. Distance from the Major Cities : Rishikesh: 297 kms Joshimath :42 kms Haridwar : 321 kms Karnaprayag : 123 kms Rudraprayag :155 kms Deoprayag : 225 kms Dehradun :343 kms
Mythological Legend-
Legend has it, when the Ganga was requested to descend to earth to help suffering humanity, the earth was unable to withstand the force of its descent. Therefore the mighty Ganaga was split into twelve holy channels. Alaknanda was one of them that later became the abode of Lord Vishnu or Badrinath.
The temple of Shri Badrinathji on the banks of the Alaknanda river, dates back to the vedic times. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts., the present temple is believed to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya- an 8th century's philosopher-saint, who also established a 'math' here. Also known as 'Vishal Badri', Badrinath is one of the Panch Badris.
Panch Badris or Five Badris- Besides the main temple of Badrinath there are four other smaller badri temples. These are collectively called the panch badris or five badris. Very few pilgrims however, visit the other four Badri temples.
Yogadhyan Badri (1920 m.)
Closest to the main temple of Badrinath lies this tiny, sleepy hamlet which remains unnoticed by most pilgrims and is the winter home for the idol at Badrinath. Pandukeshwar is also an important archaeological site. Some years ago, four ancient metal foils engraved with a description of several kings in the region were discovered here. Believed to be over 1500 years old, these foils are kept at Joshimath, 30 km downstream.
Bhavishya Badri (2,744 m.)
The bhavishya or future badri is situated at Subain near Tapovan, about 17 km east of Joshimath. According to Hindu belief, when evil is on the rise in this world, the two mountains Nara and Narayan at Badrinath will close up on each other and destroy the route to the present Badrinath. This would also mark the end of the present world and the beginning of a new one. Lord Badrinath will then appear at the Bhavishya Badri temple and be worshipped here instead of at the present one.
Badridha Badri or the 'Old Badri'
Bridha Badri or the 'old Badri' is the third temple about 7 kms short of Joshimath, on the main Rishikesh-Badrinath motor road at Animath. It is believed that Badrinath was worshipped here before its enshrinement by Shankaracharya at the main Badrinath seat. The temple of Bridha Badri is open throughout the year.
Adi Badri
Adi Badri is the farthest from the other four badris. It is approachable from Karnaprayag by a motorable road enroute Ranikhet. The temple complex has 16 small temples with intricate carvings. Seven of these temples belong to the late Gupta period. Local tradition assigns these buildings to Shankaracharya. The maintemple is distinguished by a pyramid shaped raised platform, with a black stone idol of Vishnu.
Friday, 18 November 2011
The Chardham pilgrimage, comprising of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath is said to rid a person of all his sins.
Chardham : Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham Yatra
India is the land of religion, spirituality, mysticism and beauty. Especially religion has been deeply rooted into Indian culture and lifestyle. The Vedas, the Upanishads and all the other Holy Scriptures always inspire us to feel close to God. Infact, as per the Rig-Veda, the Himalayas comprise of the abode of the Gods and even today, people visit the gigantic mountains in search of the Almighty! It is here only that the four of the most revered pilgrim destinations of the Hindus are located.
Yes, we are talking about the Char Dhams, comprising of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Yamunotri, the place where River Yamuna originates, is also believed to be the seat of Goddess Yamuna. Apart from the temple of the Goddess, the place also consists of hot springs. The prasad given at the temple is made of rice, cooked in the hot water of the springs. Gangotri, as the name suggests, is the source of holy Ganges and the seat of Goddess Ganga. The evening arti performed at the banks of the sacred river is very impressive.
The third Dham comprises of Kedarnath, the abode of Lord Shiva. It is here that one of the twelve Jyotirlingas is situated. Kedarnath is also believed to be the site of Shankaracharya's samadhi. People come from far and wide to pay their respects at the Lord Shiva temple situated here. Last, but not the least, is Badrinath - the abode of Lord Vishnu. Completing the circuit of the Char Dham,
Check out information on best time to visit Char Dham in India. Know more about the peak season/ideal time to visit Char Dham, Uttarakhand.
Chardham : Best Time to Visit Char Dham
Best Time to Visit Char Dham
Char Dham are the four religious sites located in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Nestled in the lap of the snow covered peaks of Himalayas, these places are taken in high regard by the people of India. The Char Dham sites are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. A religious hub, Chardham is considered the holiest religious circuit in the country and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. However, one should keep in mind the best time to visit these places, before embarking on his journey.
The ideal time or peak season to go for a Char Dham Yatra is from May to October, except monsoons. This is because; all the four sacred sites are perched in Garhwal Himalayas, which is prone to heavy snowfall. As a result, all the passage leading to the shrines are blocked. Moreover, during the monsoon season, there is undue threat of having landslides, which can further disrupt the journey. For safety reasons, the gates of the temples are also closed for this period of time and the idols are shifted to nearby pilgrim points.
Yamunotri is another pilgrimage site located in the state of Uttarakhand. Check out travel and tourism in Yamunotri, India.
Chardham : Yamunotri
The revered shrine of Yamunotri, source of the shadow of the 6,315 mts. high Bandarpunchh mountain.
It constitutes one of the four most important pilgrimages, collectively called 'Char Dham' of the Garhwal Himalayas.
Legend has it that a sage, Asit Muni, used to reside at this secluded spot in ancient times. The chief attraction at Yamunotri is the temple devoted to goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs at Jankichatti (7 km. Away).
The source of the Yamuna lies a further km. Ahead at an altitude of approximately 4421 mts. Since the approach is extremely difficult, pilgrims usually offer obeisance at the temple itself.
The present temple was constructed by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the nineteenth century. FACILITIES:
For reaching Yamunotri, one has to undertake a 220 km journey from Rishikesh to Hanumanchatti, where the motorable road ends. The remaining 13 km journey has to be covered on foot or on ponies.
The temple remains closed during the winter months of Nov. to April.
Yamunotri
Perched amidst sprawling Garhwal Hills, Yamunotri is another revered pilgrim spots in the state of Uttarakhand. It is one of the Char Dham in India and holds great religious importance. Yamunotri is the source of sacred river Yamuna and also the abode of goddess Yamuna. It is famous for its thermal springs, glaciers and scenic locales. In effect, it is one of the must visit places from travel and tourism point of view.
According to Hindu mythology, this hilly spot was once the abode of an ancient sage by the name, Asit Muni. Owing to its legendary significance, thousands of devotees visit this silent yet hustling-bustling pilgrimage place. There are a many worth visiting places here, one of the most important being the Yamunotri temple. This temple was built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the 19th century. The shrine is dedicated to goddess Yamuna.
She resides here in the form of a silver idol adorned with garlands. It is believed that a holy dip in the sacred water of river Yamunotri here relieves everyone from a painful death. This is because she is the sister of Yama, the God of Death. As a result, pilgrims visit the place in order to seek the blessings of Yamuna and save themselves from the agony of death. Apart from this there is Surya Kund which is known for its thermal springs.
The temperature of the water here is approximately 190 degree Fahrenheit. Also, there are a number of hot water pools here, which are used to cook rice and potato as Prasad (holy offerings to God). Divya Shilla is a rock pillar here, which is worshipped by the devotees before entering the Yamunotri temple. Other tourist places near Yamunatri are Janaki Chatti, Hanuman Chatti and Saptrishi Kund.
Gangotri is situated in the lush green state of Uttarakhand. Know more about travel and tourism to Gangotri, India.
Chardham : Gangotri
The revered shrine of Gangotri, situated at an altitude of 3,200 mts. about sea-level amidst sylvan surroundings, constitutes one of the most important pilgrimages for the devout Hindu.
Visited by hundreds of thousands pilgrims every year, this 18th century temple constructed by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, is near the spot where the goddess Ganga is said to have first descended on earth from heaven, in answer to the prayers of King Bhagriath.
Lord Shiva received her into his matted locks to break the great force of her fall. From there it emerged into many streams and the one which started from Gangotri was called Bhagirathi.
The Pandavas, it is said, came here to perform the great 'Deva Yajna' to atone for the death of their kinsmen in the epic battle of Mahabharat. The temple itself is situated on the right bank of the Bhagirathi .
There are a number of Ashrams locked on the other side of the Bhagirathi.
Places of Religious Interest:
These include a trip to the
Gaumukh glaciers
(18 km.) - the source of the Bhagirathi for a dip in its icy waters is dip in almost a must for pilgrims; and to the temple of Bhairavanath at Bhaironghati, (10 km.). GMVN Tourist Bungalow is located at Bhojbasa, about 14 km., from Gangotri, on the road to Uttarkashi, at the confluence of the Jat Ganga and Bhagirathi rivers.
Pilgrims also trek to Nandanvan (6 km) and Kedartal (18 km) from Gangotri.
FACILITIES:
Gangotri is well connected to other parts of the country through air, rail and road. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 26 km. From Rishikesh, 249 km.
The local and State Transport bus services also connect Gangotril with many centres in the region while porters and ponies are available for excursions to Gaumukh and other places from Gangotri during the yatra season.
The temple remains closed from Nov. to April due to severe winter conditions.
Gangotri
One of the four sites amongst the holiest places, Char Dham in India, is Gangotri. This sacred city is located in the northern part of the state of Uttarakhand. It is known as the source of River Ganges and also the seat of Goddess Ganga. Ducked amidst the sprawling Garhwal hills, Gangotri is an ideal location for all those who wish to take a dip into the oceans of divinity, as well as those have a thirst for adventure. This makes Gangotri an ideal spot in terms of travel and tourism.
Gangotri also has a strong historical past and bears the eternal feel of antiquity. According to mythological records, King Bhagirath did penance here, after which, as per Lord Shiva's wishes, River Ganges came down on earth. However, to save the earth from the fierce force of the river, Lord Shiva held her in his locks. Thus, river Ganges is also known as Bhagirathi here. Moreover, it is also believed that Pandavas came down to this place to perform Deva Yajna.
As a result, Gangotri is a significant place from religion point of view. Hundreds of devotees throng the place every year in order to unleash the secrets of spirituality. Some of the main attractions of Gangotri include Gangotri Temple, which was built by Gurkha monarch Amar Singh Thapa, around 3000 years back. Another pilgrim site here is Jalamagna Shivalinga, which is a natural rock Shivalinga submerged in the river.
It is deemed to be the place where Lord Shiva held Ganga in his locks. This Shivalinga is only visible in winter months. Other worth visiting places in the vicinity are Gaumukh (source of Ganges), Gaumukh Glacier and Nandanvan. Drifting towards the adventurous aspect of Gangotri, it offers a number of sports for fun lovers such as river rafting, trekking etc. Thus, to enjoy the natural beauty and religious fervor at its best, Gangotri is a must visit place for all.
Kedarnath is one of most venerated Hindu religious spots in India. Find out more about travel and tourism in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand.
Chardham : Kedarnath
The Sri Kedarnathji shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, is a scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Sri Kedarnathji range. At an altitude of 3,581 mts. It is a 14 kms. trek from Gaurikund.
Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva the protector and the destroyer. Shiva, is considered the embodiment of all passions-love, hatred, fear, death and mysticism which are expressed through his various forms.
There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli district itself, the most important one is Sri Kedarnathji. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Sri Kedarnathji in the form of a bull. On being followed he dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface. The remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his manifestations. The arms appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at Madmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar.
Sri Kedarnathji and the four above mentioned shrines are treated as Panch Kedar. Sri Kedarnathji is approachable on foot from Gaurikund, which is connected by road with Rishikesh, Kotdwara, Dehradun, Haridwar and other important hill stations of Garhwal and Kumaon Hills.
Kedarnath is a sacred town situated in the state of Uttarakhand of India. It can even be called as one of the remotest Char Dham sites as it is located amidst the snow-capped mountains of Himalayas, near the river Mandakini. Nestled in the Rudraprayag district, the main attractions here is the Kedarnath Temple, which is a popular Hindu shrine and pilgrimage, attracting devotees from all over the world. The travel and tourism scope here is strengthened by factors like natural beauty and religious zest.
The Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is deemed to have been built by Adi Sankaracharya. The glory of the temple can be attributed to the fact that it is one of the twelve jyotirlingas (Lord Shiva shrines), present in the country. The temple remains open only for a period of six months, due to heavy snowfall in the winter months. Testing the fervor and dedication of the pilgrims, the temple is not directly reachable by road.
The only way being, a 14 km trek path from Gaurikund. The present temple stands adjacent to the initial temple built by the Pandavas. According to historical data, Pandavas after winning the battle of Mahabharata, felt guilty of killing their own brothers. They came here in search of Lord Shiva, who kept hiding himself. Finally Bhima, the strongest Pandava brother recognized him. Lord Shiva, who was disguised as a bull, escaped leaving behind his hind part.
This led to the construction of the temple here. The present Kedarnath Temple has been built by huge slabs of gray stones, standing undeterred with all its glory and majesty. The divine peace and tranquility of the place leaves the devotees completely mesmerized. The haunting environment and secluded surroundings compel all the visitors to feel the inner connection with the Almighty. Thus, Kedarnath is considered a must visit place amongst pilgrims, before leaving this world.
The Himalayas have been sanctified with some of the divine Hindu pilgrimage sites and Yamunotri is one of them. Yamunotri is the Garhwal Mountains of Uttarkashi region is perched on the edge of the Bandhar Poonch Peak at an altitude of 10,805 ft. Situated in beautiful surroundings, Yamunotri is a marvelous pilgrimage religious site that is visited by a large number of tourists every year. It constitutes one of the four most important pilgrimages, the first stopover of the 'Char Dham Yatra' of the Garhwal Himalayas. 
Upon reaching Yamunotri, stop at Divya Shila, a rock pillar worshipped before entering the Yamunotri Temple. On the left bank of the River Yamuna lies the Yamunotri Temple built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in the last decade of the 19th Century and dedicated to the River. In 1923, the Temple was destroyed in an earthquake but the idols were spared. The Yamunotri temple was rebuilt and damaged again by heavy snow and rain in 1982. This temple houses a silver idol bedecked with garlands, believed to be of Yamuna, and an image of her brother Yama.
Road :
Bhavishya Badri (2,744 m.) 
India is the land of religion, spirituality, mysticism and beauty. Especially religion has been deeply rooted into Indian culture and lifestyle. The Vedas, the Upanishads and all the other Holy Scriptures always inspire us to feel close to God. Infact, as per the Rig-Veda, the Himalayas comprise of the abode of the Gods and even today, people visit the gigantic mountains in search of the Almighty! It is here only that the four of the most revered pilgrim destinations of the Hindus are located. 
Char Dham Tour
Char Dham are the four religious sites located in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Nestled in the lap of the snow covered peaks of Himalayas, these places are taken in high regard by the people of India. The Char Dham sites are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath. A religious hub, Chardham is considered the holiest religious circuit in the country and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. However, one should keep in mind the best time to visit these places, before embarking on his journey. 
The revered shrine of Yamunotri, source of the shadow of the 6,315 mts. high Bandarpunchh mountain. 
Perched amidst sprawling Garhwal Hills, Yamunotri is another revered pilgrim spots in the state of Uttarakhand. It is one of the Char Dham in India and holds great religious importance. Yamunotri is the source of sacred river Yamuna and also the abode of goddess Yamuna. It is famous for its thermal springs, glaciers and scenic locales. In effect, it is one of the must visit places from travel and tourism point of view. 
One of the four sites amongst the holiest places, Char Dham in India, is Gangotri. This sacred city is located in the northern part of the state of Uttarakhand. It is known as the source of River Ganges and also the seat of Goddess Ganga. Ducked amidst the sprawling Garhwal hills, Gangotri is an ideal location for all those who wish to take a dip into the oceans of divinity, as well as those have a thirst for adventure. This makes Gangotri an ideal spot in terms of travel and tourism.
Kedarnath is a sacred town situated in the state of Uttarakhand of India. It can even be called as one of the remotest Char Dham sites as it is located amidst the snow-capped mountains of Himalayas, near the river Mandakini. Nestled in the Rudraprayag district, the main attractions here is the Kedarnath Temple, which is a popular Hindu shrine and pilgrimage, attracting devotees from all over the world. The travel and tourism scope here is strengthened by factors like natural beauty and religious zest.