Char Dham – An Abode of God in India

India- a religious country is considered to be God'sBhagirath by sending River Ganga on earth. Ever
own residence on earth. Every nook and corner ofsince then Gangotri has been considered as a divine
the country narrates a story related to Hindudestination. A dip in the holy river at Gangotri frees
mythology. While every part of India has someyou from all your bad deeds.
cultural, spiritual and religious relevance in Hinduism,The third of the CharDham is Shri Kedarnath Dham.
Char Dham – the four sacred spots are believedThe seat of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath Dham is popular
to be the abodes of God in India.amongst Shiva devotees. It is a sacrosanct pilgrim
The most revered sites for Hindus in India, Charspot of India. It is here where Pandavas had come to
Dham is the favorite pilgrimage destination of Hindusseek penitence. The temple at Kedarnath was built
for years. This (A) spiritual trip to Gangotri,by the Pandavas as a tribute to Lord Shiva.
Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath is also popular asKedarnath is named after King Kedar who had a
the "Chota Char Dham Yatra". The name "Chota Chardaughter 'Vrinda' who was a partial incarnation of
Dham in India is given for the close proximity of theGoddess Lakshmi. Devotees from across the world
places with one another and also for shorter circuitflock the temple to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva
of these sacred spots.at the Badrinath temple.
Yamunotri the pilgrimage destination tells a number ofBesides its relevance with Pandavas and Lord Shiva in
tales related to Hindu mythology. It is believed to beSatya Yuga, history of Kedarnath is also related to
the home of Asit Muni. According to anotherthe story of Adi Shankaracharya. This famous sacred
common belief, anyone who bathes in River Yamunaspot of Char Dham Yatra is the site of
at Yamunotri is freed from a painful death.Shankaracharya's samadhi.
River Ganges or Ganga has been given the status ofBadrinath, the last destination of the Chota Char
divine mother in the Hindu mythology. Gangotri is theDham Yatra has been awarded the position of the
source of River Ganges and is believed to be theholiest of all Dhams. This sacred pilgrimage is famous
abode of Goddess Ganga. According to Hindufor the Badrinath temple that was built by Adiguru
mythology, King Bhagirath had prayed to Lord ShivaShankaracharya. Badrinath is believed to be the
for years and as his blessing Lord Shiva rewardedearthly abode of Lord Vishnu.