Adorned with the remnants of the rich spiritual Hindu mythology, India includes a plethora of pilgrimage sites spread throughout its boundaries. Among these pilgrimage sites, the Chardham yatra holds the peak significance. The highly-coveted Chardham residing amidst the lap of the beautiful Himalayas include four places, the Kedarnath, the Badrinath, the Gangotri, and the Yamunotri.
The Chardham Yatra is so sacred and popular that not only the Hindus of India but the Hindus all over the world come to visit. It is believed that every Sanatan Hindu should visit the Chardham at least once in their life. With the finest services from My Tirth India, you get to experience a seamless Chardham Yatra. Reconnect with your inner soul and feel the divine spiritual positivity that surrounds you during the Chardham tour.
Seek the diving blessings and dwell in the serene landscape of Chardham with all-inclusive packages from My Tirth India. It is believed that visiting the Chardham is the way for a Sanatan Hindu to attain moksha. Millions of people visit Chardham every year to experience this majestic beauty of nature and offer their prayers to the creators of the universe.
A trip to Chardham is no less than an adventure itself because it is a circuit of the four most important pilgrimage sites. It includes trekking, crossing snow-capped roads, taking a dip into the hot springs, and more. Chardham Yatra, as a whole, is an extraordinary experience that everyone should have for once.
Chardham Interesting Facts
An interesting fact about Chardham Yatra is, it is the Chhota Chardham which includes the four pilgrimage sites. The one that you visit in Uttarakhand is popular as the Chhota Chardham. The original Chardham includes the four holy sites in four different corners of India. These places are Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram, and Dwarka. The original Chardham was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century AD. However, a shorter circuit was created later on which includes the four different places of Uttarakhand.
You can start your Chardham Yatra via Haridwar. This is where people start their journey to the four holy shrines. During the winter months, the Chardham sites remain closed due to heavy snowfall and landslides. Since all the four pilgrimage sites are located in the Garhwal Himalayas, it receives high snowfall in the winter seasons. Thus, accessing them is not easy. Therefore, the temples remain closed for six months during the winter seasons. The opening month of Chardham in Uttarakhand is April during the time of Akshay Tritiya.
The Yamunotri
This is the first Dham amongst the Char Dhams in the circuit of Uttarakhand. The Yamunotri Dham is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna Devi. This place is also known as the origin of the river Yamuna, which is also one of the most sacred rivers for the Hindus. The primary temple of Goddess Yamuna is located at the height of 3,291 meters from sea level. You can reach it through a short trek of 6 kilometers from Jankichatti.
The Yamunotri Temple was built to honor the Goddess Yamuna who is also the daughter of the Sun and the twin sister of Yama. The Yamuna is better known as Goddess Yami (the lady of life). It is believed that if you take a bath in the holy waters of the Yamuna River, it eradicates the sins and protects you from an untimely agonizing death. The Temple is located on the left bank of the Yamuna river and it was created by Maharaja Rana Pratap Singh. The idol is made up of black marble and it looks astonishing.
The Gangotri
This is the second tirth darshan site you will come across in your visit to the Chardham. Similar to the Yamunotri, this holy pilgrimage destination is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand residing at a significant height of 3,100 meters. The Gangotri is the majestic crown located on the bank of the divine Bhagirathi, which later becomes the Ganges after it meets with the Alakananda at Devprayag.
The Ganga Temple at the Gangotri Dham located on the right bank of the Bhagirathi River. The awe-inspiring Gomukh at the Gangotri glacier is known to be the original source of the river Ganga. The exquisite Gangotri Temple is beautifully crafted with white marble facing towards the Ganga river. You can book a customized tour package to Chardham to experience the mesmerizing beauty of the Gangotri.
The Kedarnath
When it comes to the Chardham yatra in India, we cannot miss out on the most important pilgrimage destination, THE Kedarnath. It is the 3rd temple you will visit on your Chardham yatra. Also, Kedarnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Kedar is also another name of Lord Shiva.
Reaching the majestic Kedarnath temple is an experience in itself. You have to complete a trek of 17kilometers from Gaurikund. This breathtaking trek is nothing less than an adventure. When you reach the top of Kedarnath and get a complete view of the beautiful temple while listening to the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’, it is a surreal feeling.
The whole Kedarnath brings a splendid spiritual vibe that no other place in the world can offer. Through the trek, you can also opt for horses or carriers. The beautiful Kedarnath resides at an elevation of 3553 meters in the snow-capped lap of the Himalayan range. The weather remains extremely cold even during the May months. However, you can visit the temple anytime between April to September.
The magnificent structure of the Kedarnath Temple is made up of building blocks and giant stones. There is a ‘Garbh Griha’ comprising a natural buffalo back shape Shivalinga which remains attached to the ground. In the primary hall of the temple, there are stone idols of the ‘Pandavas’ carved on the walls. You will find Nandi in the middle. The Kedarnath Temple is on the left bank of the Mandakini River.
The Badrinath
Badrinath is one of the ancient Chardhams in India. It is both the part of the Chhota Chardham and the original Chardham. This is one of the most celebrated and pious pilgrimage sites in India. Badrinath Temple resides at an elevation of 3,133 meters guarded on both sides by the Nar & Narayan mountain range along with the towering Neelkanth Peak.
This whole scenario presents a mesmerizing backdrop for the visitors. The revered place was once carpeted by berries. Therefore, the place got its name “Badri van” which means the “forest of berries”. Before entering the Badrinath Temple, it is customary to take a dip in the Tapt Kund which is present on the bank of the river Alakananda.
It is said that the water of the Tapt Kund Lake has healing properties. Also, the temperature of the Tapt Kund remains 50-55 degrees all throughout the year. Thus, it is very comforting to take a dip in the lake. Along with that, you can also visit the Mana Village, Vyas Gufa, Vasundhara falls, and Bhimpul.
One of the unique features of the Temple of Badrinath is, it is designed in traditional Garhwali architecture. Located on the banks of the Alakananda River in the lap of the Neelkanth Peak, there is a black stone image of Lord Badrinathjee. This is known as the Saligram stone discovered by Shankaracharya in the Alakananda River. Undoubtedly, the interior of the Badrinath Temple and the temple itself is a sight to behold.
This is the complete Chardham Yatra in India. You can opt for the Chardham Yatra tour from Delhi or the Chardham Yatra from Dehradun as well. For the details of the complete packages, get in touch with our experienced and professional representatives. You can also opt for the Helicopter services at Chardham.
