‘Char Dham’ mean Four Holy Places or Temples located in Uttarakhand. These sacred destination in Uttarakhand are Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. All these four places are combinely known as Char Dham in Uttarakhand. The holy main temples in these Char Dhams are Kedarnath Temple, Badrinath Temple, Gangotri Temple and Yamunotri Temple.
All four Chardham Temples are visited by lakhs of pilgrims in Char Dham Yatra season. The Char Dham Yatra open for pilgrims from April-May to October-November each year. For these months, the Char Dham temples are summer abode of Chardham Yatra. In winter months i.e from October-November to Mar-April, darshan can been done at winter abodes of Char Dham at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath (Kedarnath), Narsingh Temple, Joshimath (Badrinath), Kharsali (Yamunotri) and Mukhwa (Gangotri).
Char Dham Temples are main abode of gods in Char Dham destinations. All these temples are well managed by respective authorities in Uttarakhand. Pilgrims can visit these Chardham Temples and worship at the temples in proper managed way. There are different types of Puja available at Char Dham Temples which is done by Priests available at the temple.
The holy shrine of Yamunotri Temple is a famous pilgrimage and one of Char Dham in Uttarakhand. Located at backdrop of Bandarpunch peak in Uttarkashi district, Yamunotri Temple deity is Goddess Yamuna, daughter of Sun and sister of Yam. Yamuntori Temple was built by Tehri Garhwal King Naresh Sudarshan Shah in 1839, later rebuilt by Maharani of Jaipur Gularia Devi in 19th century. The Yamunotri Temple is constructed with granite stones and has conical shaped yellow roof. The main idol of Goddess Yamuna is in the form of an irregular black marble stone present inside the sanctum. There is a sabha mandap in the temple along with two hot springs Surya Kund and Gauri Kund.
The main priest of Yamunotri Temple belongs to Uniyal family of Kharsali village. Yamunotri Temple is open for pilgrims from April-May to Oct-Nov each year. The Yamunotri temple kapaat open on Akshay Tritya and closed on second day after Diwali every year. The winter abode of Gangotri Dham is at Kharsali village.
Photo Credit: Vimal
Gangotri Temple is a holy temple and one of Char Dham in Uttarakhand. Located in Uttarkashi district, on the banks of Bhagirathi river, Gangotri temple is sacred place where Goddess Ganga is worshipped. Gangotri Temple was built by Nepalese General Amar Singh Thapa in 18th century, later rebuilt by Maharaja of Jaipur. The Nagara style of architecture of Gangotri Temple is constructed with white marble stone. Inside the temple, a beautiful idol of Goddess Ganga made of marble stone is worshipped. There is Bhagirathi shila, a holy rock is also worshipped where King Bhagirath done penance and prayed Lord Shiva to bring Goddess Ganga in the form of river.
The main priest belongs to the Semwal family from Mukhwa village. Gangotri Temple is open for pilgrims from April-May to Oct-Nov each year. The Gangotri temple kapaat open on Akshay Tritya and closed on next day after Diwali every year. The winter abode of Gangotri Dham is at Mukhwa village.
Photo Credit: Manish Negi
One of the famous temple of Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Temple was initially built by Pandavas in Mahabharata period and later on rebuilt by Adi Dhankaracharya in 8-9th century. The main idol of Lord Shiva, called as lingam, is present in irregular triangular shaped in Kedarnath Dham. Its size is 12 ft in circumference and 12 ft in height. The main hall also has statues of Draupadi and other deities. The first hall inside the Kedarnath Temple has idols of five Pandavas, Lord Krishna, Nandi and Virbhadra.
The head priest of Kedarnath Temple is called Raval, belongs to Veerashaiva community of Karnataka. The Rawal of Kedarnath doesnot perform Puja, but he only instructed the assistants to perform puja. The Rawal, Naib Rawal, Acharya/ Dharmadhikari and Vedpathi manages the religious activities in the temple.
Pilgrims used to perform worship at Kedarnath Temple with Ghee, water and Bel leaves along with other common Pujan samagri. Kedarnath Temple open for pilgrims from April-May to Oct-Nov each year. The Kedarnath temple kapaat opening date decided on Maha Shivratri and closed on the day of Bhai Dooj every year. The winter abode of Kedarnath Dham is at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath.
Photo Credit: Rohit Bansala
A popular Char Dham Temple in Uttarakhand and India, Badrinath Temple was established by Adi Dhankaracharya in 8-9th century. The main idol of Lord Vishnu, called as Shaligram, is worshipped in the form of Badrinarayan, a self manifested black granite idol. The size of the idol is 1 ft is situated in main sanctum. The sanctum also houses idols of Lord Kuber, Sage Narad, Uddhav, Nar and Narayan. There is Sabha mandap and Darshan mandap present inside the Badrinath Temple. The beautiful temple of Badrinath has main 15 mtr height sanctum with conical shaped roof and a small dome at top. There is gold gilt roof with stone facade and arched windows.
The head priest of Badrinath Temple is called Rawal, belongs to Nambudiri community of Kerala. The Rawal of Badrinath performs all major Pujas in Badrinath Temple. He is assisted by Dimri Brahmins, Naid Rawal, Dharmadhikari, Vedpathi and other preists. Badrinath Temple open for pilgrims from April-May to Oct-Nov each year. The Badrinath temple kapaat opening date decided on Basant Panchami and closing date on Vijaydashmi every year. The winter abode of Badrinath Dham is at Narsimha Temple in Joshimath.
Photo credit: Sirsendu Gayen
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