The Char Dham Yatra is one of the most important spiritual trips in the Hindu religion. This Holy Yatra covers the four holy pilgrimage sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. As per Hindu beliefs, this Yatra should be taken at least once in the lifetime to attain salvation and cleanse the soul of all sins. As per ancient Hindu scriptures, human life is driven by the four principles of Kama, Artha, Dharma, and Moksha. The Char Dham Yatra is undertaken in pursuit of the last goal, Moksha. It is believed that once one completes the Char Dham Yatra, an absolute serenity of mind can be achieved.
The 4 Dhams comprising the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand
Yamunotri Dham
Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River, is considered to be the seat of Goddess Yamuna. The destination is famous for its glaciers, thermal springs and trekking routes. A trip to Yamunotri involves trekking from Hanuman Chatti through rugged terrain and dense forests. You can take a taxi from Dehradun Railway Station or Jolly Grant Airport to reach Hanuman Chatti. Thousands of tourists from different geographic regions come here to seek blessings. According to legend, revered sage Asit Muni used to live at this spot and would bathe daily in both Yamuna and Ganga. When he aged and could no longer go to Gangotri , it is said that a stream of river Ganga appeared at Yamunotri for him to bathe. Yamunotri Temple, Saptrishi Kund, Surya Kund and Divya Shila are among the must-visit attractions here.
Gangotri Dham
Gangotri, the seat of Goddess Ganga, is flocked by millions of pilgrims every year. Gangotri Dham is located 19 km away from Gaumukh, the place of origin of River Ganga. It is believed that Goddess Ganga took the form of a river to liberate the souls of King Bhagiratha’s predecessors after he meditated for several years to please her. This is the place where pilgrims from different parts of the country come to wash off their sins and attain salvation. Apart from Gangotri Dham, you could also pay a visit to Gangotri Temple, Bhagirath Shila, Submerged Shivling and Pandava Gufa. As the road connectivity to and from the major cities of Uttarakhand is excellent, you can conveniently reach Gangotri by road. You can even take a direct bus from Delhi to reach here.
Kedarnath Dham
Surrounded by the stunning Rudra Himayalan Range, Kedarnath is situated near River Mandakini’s head and is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas. As per Hindu mythology, after the battle of Mahabharata, the Pandavas sought the blessings of Lord Shiva in order to atone their sin of killing their own blood relatives, Kauravas. Lord Shiva, in trying to elude them, took the form a bull and plunged into the ground. Only the hump of his bull body remained above the surface, and a temple was built at the spot. Kedarnath Yatra is amongst the holiest pilgrimages of the Hindu religion. On your Kedarnath Yatra, you could also visit Gandhi Sarovar, Shankaracharya Samadhi and Bhairon Temple. To reach Kedarnath, you would need to reach Gaurikund and then trek 14km to the temple. For those travelling by train or flight, Rishikesh Railway Station in Uttarakhand and Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun are the closest points of access.
Badrinath Dham
The main deity in Badrinath is Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Badrinarayan here. As per the Hindu epic Mahabharata, it is the place where Nara-Narayana, the two forms of Lord Vishnu, meditated. It is also believed that the Pandavas passed this place during their journey to heaven. Badrinath Temple, Neelkanth, Tapt Kund and Vasudhara Falls are some of the top attractions to discover here. From seeking blessings at Badrinath Temple to taking a bath in Tapt Kund, there are several experiences that are worth living on your Badrinath Yatra. You can take a bus or taxi from the major destinations of Uttarakhand to reach Badrinath. On the way back, don’t miss paying a visit to Vyas Gufa and Mana Village.
Best time to visit: The Char Dham Yatra is operational every year for about six months, from April/May till October/November.
Whether one seeks salvation or simply peace of mind, the Char Dham Yatra is undoubtedly an important undertaking for anybody.
