Most of the devotees who believe in Hinduism have the desire that they can make a journey of Char Dham at least once in their life. The journey of Char Dham begins in the month of April. Many people depart from their homes to travel to Char Dham just after the season of rain. For many people, traveling to the Char Dhams is just like getting fulfill a beautiful dream.
People come not only from north India but also from different places of the whole country, for the journey of Char Dham. The magnetic nature of Uttarakhand attracts the people who visit the Char Dham. The main temple of Char Dham built between beautiful scenery, antiquity, and snow-covered hills of Uttarakhand.
But do you know why people visit Char Dham? What are the names of all four? Who created these Dhams? Perhaps many people who have done these trips also do not know as much about its history. So let me now tell you about this journey of Char Dham.
According to Hindu mythology, Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannath Puri and Rameswaram are counted among the four Dhams. The journey of these shrines was called Char Dham Yatra. But today you know about the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, in fact, it is a small Char Dham yatra.
This trip of Char Dham Yatra in Uttrakhand includes Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Obviously, these four places are located in Uttarakhand, therefore, after accessibility and publicity, they are counted among the Char Dhams. But in reality, only Badrinath is one of the Dham in Char Dham yatra of Uttarakhand.
Badrinath Temple
The Badrinath temple is also called Badrinarayan Temple. This temple is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda river in the Himalayan peaks in Uttarakhand. Narayana had done penance at this place. Lord Vishnu is worshiped in this temple.
Due to the highly harsh weather in the Himalayan region, this temple is open only for a period of six months each year (from the end of April to early November). Badrinath temple is built on the ground floor of the Alaknanda River, about 50 meters high, and its entrance is looking towards the river.
The main entrance can be reached through wide stairs, which is called as Singh Dwar. There are three gold Kalash are on top of the entrance, and a huge bell hangs in the middle of the ceiling.
Kedarnath Temple
This temple is built in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Lord Shankar is worshiped here. This temple is also included in twelve Jyotirlingas. The modern temple was built by Adi Shankaracharya. Due to the unfavorable climate here, this temple opens from April to November.
This temple is built on a six feet high square terrace. This is the largest Shiva temple in Uttarakhand, which is built by adding huge boulders of cutlestones. These boulders are brown in color.
Kedarnath shrine and temple surrounded by mountains on three sides. On one side is Kedarnath, about 22 thousand feet high, on the other side is 21 thousand 600 feet high cost and on the third side is 22 thousand 700 feet Bharatkund.
Gangotri
The holy river Ganga originates from the place we called Gangotri. Gangotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The devotees come here to bath with the Ganges water and to visit the oldest temple of Ganga Maiya, which was constructed in the 18th Century by Gorkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa and the re-creation has done by Naresh Madho Singh of Jaipur.
The temple of Gangaji is situated at an elevation of 3042 meters above sea level. This place is situated at a distance of 100 km from Uttarkashi. Lakhs of pilgrims come here to visit Ganga Maiya between the months of May to October each year.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri is the place from where the Yamuna river originates. It is also located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Here is a temple of Mother Yamuna, which was constructed in the 19th century by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur.
One of the four Dham Yamunotri is just one kilometer away from the source of the Yamuna river. The main temple of Yamunotri is dedicated to Yamuna Devi. One of the main sources of water is Sooryakund, which is the source of hot water.
History of Char Dham Yatra
There is no concrete evidence about when the Char Dham Yatra started. According to the Mahabharata, this trip was also done by Pandavas during exile. Kedarnath is described in the Mahabharata. Badrinath temple is also mentioned in Skanda Purana and Vishnu Purana.
Apart from this, in the Skanda Purana, Garhwal has been described as Kedarkhand. In the eighth century AD, Adi Guru Shankaracharya discovered Kedarnath and Badrinath and rebuilt them.
Although at that time it was not possible for every person to make the trip, as the means of travel and the accessible routes were created, the trend of the common people towards this journey was increasingly larger.
Why Should You Go On Char Dham Yatra
Why visit the Char Dhams is not mentioned in the Puranas. But according to the belief, the journey of four Dham is freed from the bondage of birth and death. Those who worship this journey, their sin is washed away and the mind becomes pure and calm. This makes the person happy with his life.
Read More, Kailasa temple: An architectural wonder
The Char Dham yatra of Uttrakhand is very famous among Hindus. Many youngsters go on these yatras as a trek. These Yatras are not a tough one and has proper road connectivities. Go to these Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand and share your views with us in comment sections. You can also ask any query related to this Yarta. We will solve those queries as soon as possible.
