Uttarakhand is known as Dev Bhoomi (Land of Gods), as it is the land of great pilgrimages, sacred temples and places, which attracts millions of pilgrims and spiritual seekers to get enlightenment. The pilgrimage of 4 Dhams located in Garhwal region are considered the most sacred places in India: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
These four ancient temples also marks the spiritual source of four sacred rivers as well: River Yamuna (Yamunotri), River Ganga or Ganges (Gangotri), River Mandakini (Kedarnath) and River Alaknanda (Badrinath).
Char Dhams are the famous four holy places of Hindu Pilgrimages, which are nestled among the lofty peaks of Himalayas in Uttarakhand. This hindu pilgrimage Char Dham circuit consists of four sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. All these locations are believed to be highly sacred by the Hindu religion. It is the ultimate desire of every Hindu to visit the holy shrines at least once in life time to attain salvation (Moksha).
According to Hinduism the Pilgrimage tirthayatra (Teerth Yatra), is one of the five duties of every Hindu, along with Dharma, Worship, Sanskaras and Observing religious festivals. A pilgrimage is an exercise in willpower, humility and faith, when the devotee travels to often difficult locations, leaving his problems at the feet of the Deity and forgetting everything but God.
A pilgrimage is an intimate experience, a direct connection between the seeker and the sacred. A devotee goes on pilgrimage to see holy men and women, to worship at holy shrines, to have darshan of Deities abiding in ancient sanctums. A pilgrim journeys to see God have a life-changing, bliss-engendering, karma-eradicating contact with the Divine.
The great Hindu philosopher and reformer Adi Shankaracharya initiated the 4 Dham Yatra in an attempt to revive the Hindu religion during the 8th century. Now, thousands of devotees from all around the world become the part of it.
Badrinath Dham: The Badrinath Temple is a Shrine of Lord Vishnu, and it is part of Chota Char Dham and 4 Dham of India.
Badrinath temple has been closed for winter and will be reopened in April-May next year. Opening date of Badrinath Temple for 2024 will be announced on Basant Panchami by Raj Purohit.
Kedarnath Dham: The Kedarnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is a popular Hindu shrine and pilgrimage, attracting devotees from all over the world.
Kedarnath temple has been closed for winter and will be reopened in April-May next year. Opening date of Kedarnath Temple for 2024 will be announced on the Shiva Ratri.
Gangotri Dham: The Gangotri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Gangotri is the source of Holy river Ganga.
Gangotri temple has been closed for winter and will be reopened in April-May next year. Gangotri Shrine opening date 2024 will be announced soon and open on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.
Yamunotri Dham: The Yamunotri Temple is dedicated Goddess Yamuna. Yamunotri is a place to seek the blessings of Yamuna and save themselves from the agony of death, as Devi Yamuna is sister of Yama, the God of Death.
The Yamunotri temple has been closed for winter and will be reopened in April-May next year. Yamunotri Temple opening date 2024 will be announced soon and open on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.
Important Note: Registration is compulsory for Char Dham Yatra. Check here for more details on Char Dham Yatra Registrations.
