| The Char Dham is also known as the Dev Bhumi; | | | | the trip in the following order which was traditionally |
| which literally means the dwelling of the gods. Hindus | | | | initiated by the Shankracharya. |
| take the char dham yatra to Badrinath, Kedarnath, | | | | Start your journey from Yamunotri. This is the place |
| Yamunotri and Gangotri for tranquility of mind, body | | | | from where the sacred Yamuna River starts flowing |
| and spirit. These places provide the perfect | | | | and is believed to be the seat of goddess Yamuna. |
| environment where the god & the transcendent | | | | The temple in Yamunotri is at a distance of 6 Km |
| seem to coexist. The char dham yatra has been | | | | from Hanuman Chatti town. This temple was recently |
| practiced since ancient times and even today around | | | | renovated after being destroyed by the local |
| three lakh visitors take this trip during the annual | | | | weather conditions. There are a few small ashrams |
| pilgrim season. Such is the importance of this yatra | | | | and guesthouses where you can take shelter while |
| that all Hindus try to take a char dham pilgrimage | | | | you are in Yamunotri. Enjoy watching the temple |
| tour at least once in their lifetime. Many even believe | | | | pujaris offer prayer to goddess Yamuna every day. |
| that taking a trip to these dham sites will wash away | | | | The prasad offered during these prayers is made |
| their lifetime sins! | | | | traditionally from raw rice that is cooked over hot |
| So how did this char dham yatra become so popular? | | | | spring. |
| Why are these places considered to be so sacred? | | | | Your next stop should be Gangotri. It is from here |
| Well if you want to know all about the char dham | | | | that the Ganga River originates. It is also the seat of |
| yatra, you must firstly know a little bit of Indian | | | | Hindu goddess Ganga. You will simply love the |
| history. | | | | evening aarti ceremony that is held in this temple |
| In the 8th century there lived a great Hindu reformer | | | | because it is performed beside the flowing river. You |
| named Adi Shankaracharya who in a bid to revive | | | | may opt to stay in the guesthouses and restaurants |
| the Hindu religion initiated the char dham yarta. He | | | | of this region if you want to take rest or relax. |
| coined the term 'Char Dham' (Char means four and | | | | Then comes your third spot of char dham yatra i.e. |
| Dham means sites) and encouraged every Hindu to | | | | Kedarnath. This place is where Hindu god Shiva is |
| take a chardham pilgrimage tour to attain salvation in | | | | believed to reside. Apart from this, Kedarnath is also |
| life. Since then Hindus have been taking this holy trip | | | | believed to be the place of Shankaracharya's shrine, |
| to the four abodes of God in Badrinath, Kedarnath, | | | | hence it is very sacred. You will find that the main |
| Gangotri and Yamunotri, all located in the Himalayan | | | | temple looks extremely beautiful though it is made up |
| region of Garhwal. | | | | of simple stone structures. The best aspect of |
| Moving on, the annual pilgrim season of char dham | | | | Kedarnath is that it is surrounded by breathtaking |
| begins in India from April and continues till October | | | | Himalayan snowcapped peaks. Daily puja is performed |
| November. Amongst the four dham sites, Badrinath is | | | | around a stone lingam that lies in the inner sanctum |
| considered to be the most auspicious of the four | | | | of the Kedarnath temple. |
| sites because Hindus believe that it was here that | | | | Your last stoppage will be Badrinath which is the seat |
| great Shankaracharya attained freedom from | | | | of the Hindu god Vishnu. The wall of this temple has |
| incarnation. In case you do not want to take the | | | | bright and beautiful paintings of Buddhist ghompas. |
| entire char dham yatra at one go you may even | | | | So, while you are visiting India, you must surely plan a |
| choose to divide your trip into two parts, Badrinath | | | | Char Dham yatra in case you want to explore the |
| Kedarnath tour and Gangotri Yamunotri tour. | | | | Hindu religion and its various customs and traditions. |
| However, in case you want to take the entire char | | | | The entire trip will be a great learning experience for |
| dham yatra all in one go, it is better that you take | | | | you and you will surely fell peace at mind. |