Char Dham of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is also known as Dev Bhoomi, literally translated as ‘Land of Gods’. The Char Dham of Uttarakhand, which is also referred to as the Chota Char Dham attracts millions of Hindu devotees and spiritual seekers to soak in the spiritual side of the country and also to get enlightenment.
The Char
Dham of Uttarakhand refers to a pilgrimage circuit consisting of four sacred
Hindu shrines located in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. The term
"Char Dham" means "four abodes" and these four sites are
considered highly sacred by Hindus. Pilgrims undertake a journey to these
shrines to seek spiritual solace and divine blessings. The Char Dham circuit
includes the following four temples:
1. Yamunotri: Situated at an elevation of 3,293 meters (10,804 feet) in the Garhwal Himalayas, Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. The temple is located near the origin of the Yamuna River, and pilgrims undertake a trek of around 6 kilometers from the nearest road point to reach the temple. The journey includes beautiful vistas of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, and hot water springs. The opening time is at 7 am or 8 am, and a short break of 1 pm to 4 pm, then after 4 hours the temple doors close for the day at 8 pm the night.
2. Gangotri: Located at an altitude of 3,100 meters (10,200 feet), Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, the holy river that is revered by millions of Hindus. It is situated on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, which is considered the source stream of the Ganges. The temple is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and is accessible by road. The temple opens at 6:15 am and carries on till 2:00 pm. After a little pause, the temple reopens at 3:00 pm and carries on till 9:30 at night.
3. Kedarnath: Situated at an elevation of 3,583 meters (11,755 feet), Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (divine representations of Lord Shiva) and is located near the headwaters of the Mandakini River. The temple is nestled amidst the majestic Kedarnath range and can be reached by a trek of around 19 kilometers from Gaurikund, the nearest road point. The opening month of this temple is May and the closing month is November.
4. Badrinath: Located at an altitude of 3,133 meters (10,279 feet), Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, specifically in his form as Lord Badrinarayan. The temple is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River and is surrounded by the Neelkanth mountain range. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, sacred shrines of Lord Vishnu. Badrinath is easily accessible by road. Badrinath opens during the holy eve of Akshaya Tritiya at 4:30 am tentatively in May. The closing ceremony takes place on the auspicious eve of Bhai Dooj and is set to take place in November.
How to reach
Here is a detailed guide on how to reach each of the Char Dham destinations:
1.
Yamunotri:
o By Air: The nearest airport
is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 210 km away from Yamunotri.
From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Hanuman Chatti or
Janaki Chatti, from where you can start your trek to Yamunotri.
o By Train: The nearest railway
station is Rishikesh, located approximately 210 km away. From Rishikesh, you
can hire a taxi or take a bus to Hanuman Chatti or Janaki Chatti.
o By Road: You can drive or take
a bus from Delhi or other major cities to Hanuman Chatti or Janaki Chatti, from
where you need to trek about 6 km to reach Yamunotri.
2.
Gangotri:
o By Air: The nearest airport
is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is approximately 250 km away from
Gangotri. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Gangotri
via Uttarkashi.
o By Train: The nearest railway
station is Rishikesh, located about 240 km away. From Rishikesh, you can hire a
taxi or take a bus to reach Gangotri via Uttarkashi.
o By Road: You can drive or take
a bus from Delhi or other major cities to reach Gangotri via Uttarkashi.
3.
Kedarnath:
o By Air: The nearest airport
is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is approximately 238 km away from
Kedarnath. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach
Sonprayag or Gaurikund, from where you need to trek about 19 km to reach
Kedarnath.
o By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh, located about 221 km away. From Rishikesh, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Sonprayag or Gaurikund.
o By Road: You can drive or take
a bus from Delhi or other major cities to reach Sonprayag or Gaurikund, from
where you need to trek about 19 km to reach Kedarnath.
4.
Badrinath:
o By Air: The nearest airport
is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is approximately 314 km away from
Badrinath. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach
Badrinath via Joshimath.
o By Train: The nearest railway
station is Rishikesh, located about 294 km away. From Rishikesh, you can hire a
taxi or take a bus to reach Badrinath via Joshimath.
o By Road: You can drive or take a bus from Delhi or other major cities to reach Badrinath via Joshimath.
It's important to note that the road conditions in the region can be challenging, particularly during the monsoon season and winter months. It is advisable to check the weather and road conditions before planning your trip and to make appropriate arrangements for accommodations and transportation in advance.
Why to be a Part of Sacred Pilgrimage
Yatras?
The holy yatra is also known as “Teerth Yatra”, and followers from all over the world aspire to take part in this holy pilgrimage once in their lifetime. Hindu mythology holds that being a part of this holy yatra unlocks the gates of salvation by atoning for all of one’s transgressions. It is also thought that one will achieve complete calmness of soul after completing this holy yatra.
Nearby places to visit
Some of the must see locations during you Char Dham Yatra include “Har ki Pauri”, “Rishikesh”, “Mana Village”, “Vasundhara Falls”, “Madhyamaheswar Temple”, “Kalimath”, “Chandrashila”, “Surya Kund” and “Saptrishi Kund”.
Best
Time to visit
The Char Dham yatra (pilgrimage) usually begins from the western side with a visit to Yamunotri, followed by Gangotri, Kedarnath, and finally Badrinath. The pilgrimage season typically starts in April/May and concludes in October/November, coinciding with favourable weather conditions.
Useful Tips
- Yatra Keep your
necessary medicines with you.
- Know the best time
before visiting.
- Try to carry dry
packaged food, and fruits.
- Avoid carrying or
consuming alcohol on this sacred journey.
- Keep a small diary
to note important things.
- Use your camera
carefully.
- Keep extra
batteries and power bank in case of emergency.
- Keep yourself
hydrated and try to consume packaged or boiled.
- Carry sufficient cash along with the cards
Conclusion
Apart from the spiritual significance, the Char Dham yatra also offers breath-taking natural beauty, as the temples are located amidst stunning landscapes, including snow-covered peaks, pristine rivers, and dense forests. The journey is considered arduous and challenging, requiring physical endurance and preparation. However, it is considered highly rewarding, with pilgrims believing that a visit to the Char Dham shrines can cleanse their sins and lead to spiritual enlightenment.
