Chardham
Visiting the Chardham destinations (Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnathji and Badrinathji) in Uttarakhand is held extremely in high regard by the Hindu community. It is believed that whoever makes the pilgrimage of Chardham will rid themselves of their past sins and bring good fortune in their life. Since the pilgrimage mirrors the fervent spirit of the Hindu faith and the actual India, it attracts hordes of tourists from all across the world. Some arrive in Uttarakhand to seek spirituality while there are some who deem it necessary to make the trip to feel the heartbeat of India. Religion and rituals have always been a part and parcel of people’s life in India. A journey to Chardham explains how and why.
Best time to Visit
All the four pilgrimage destinations of the Chardham circuit remain open for visitors from May till October. During winters, they become inaccessible due to being covered with ice.
Historical Background
The history of Chardham remains shrouded in mystery. Initially, a Chardham yatra referred to making a pilgrimage to Puri, Rameshwaram, Dwarka and Badrinath. Later on, Badrinath, established by Adi guru Shankaracharya, became popular as Chota Chardham. In the years that followed, the term ‘Chota Chardham’ was truncated to ‘Chardham.
Destinations in the Chardham Circuit
Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath together make up the Chardham circuit in northern Indian state of Uttarakhand.
Gangotri
Snuggled up at a height of 3,140 m above sea level, Gangotri shrine stands in dedication to Hindu goddess Ganga. Geographically, it is at Gaumukh in the Gangotri glacier from where River Ganga originates. According to Hindu belief, goddess Ganga was sent down to earth to rid humans of their sufferings. River Ganga, therefore, has the eminence of being the most sacred in India.
Yamunotri
The abode of goddess Yamuna, Yamunotri is the site from where River Yamuna takes birth. As per the Hindu traditions, the pilgrimage site is also believed to be the abiding place of Asit Muni, an ancient sage. The shrine features an elegant silver idol of goddess Yamuna, who is worshipped here. The hot springs close to the shrine are much popular with visitors.
Kedarnath
The shrine commands high respect, as it is one of the twelve jyotirlingas in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kedarnath Temple occupies a picturesque position close to River Mandakini. From Gaurikund onwards, Kedarnath shrine can be reached by undertaking a trek of 14 km. Horses and palanquins are also available on hire to cover this distance.
Badrinath
The shrine stands on the riverbanks of Alaknanda. A 2-day-long journey from Kedarnath takes visitors to Badrinath, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Badrinath Temple is a major crowd puller both for devotees as well as pilgrims. Regular bus private and public bus services link Badrinath with key places like Haridwar, Rishikesh and New Delhi.
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