Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand

 Char Dham, also known as the four abodes, is a pilgrimage circuit located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. The Char Dham yatra, which covers the four holy shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, is one of the most popular religious journeys in India. It is believed that undertaking this yatra washes away all sins and bestows spiritual enlightenment.



Yamunotri

Yamunotri, situated at an altitude of 3,293 meters, is the starting point of the Char Dham yatra. It is the source of the Yamuna River, which is the second most sacred river in India after the Ganges. The temple of Yamunotri is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, and it is said that taking a dip in the hot springs here will wash away all sins. The trek to Yamunotri is a challenging one, and it is recommended to start early in the morning to avoid the rush of pilgrims.



Gangotri

Gangotri, located at an altitude of 3,048 meters, is the second stop of the Char Dham yatra. It is the source of the Ganges River, which is the most sacred river in India. The temple of Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, and it is believed that taking a dip in the holy waters here will cleanse one's soul. The trek to Gangotri is also challenging, and it is advisable to carry warm clothing as the temperature drops at night.



Kedarnath

Kedarnath, situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters, is the third stop of the Char Dham yatra. It is the highest of the four shrines and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple of Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva absolved Pandavas from the sin of killing their own brothers during the Mahabharata war. The trek to Kedarnath is a difficult one, and it is advisable to carry warm clothing as the temperature drops to sub-zero at night.



Badrinath

Badrinath, located at an altitude of 3,133 meters, is the final stop of the Char Dham yatra. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the temple here is one of the most revered temples in India. The temple of Badrinath is situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River, and it is believed that taking a dip in the holy waters here will wash away all sins. The trek to Badrinath is relatively easier than the other three shrines, and it can be accessed by road as well.



Apart from the four holy shrines, there are several other places of religious significance that can be visited during the Char Dham yatra. These include:


Hemkund Sahib: 

Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh shrine located near the Valley of Flowers. It is situated at an altitude of 4,633 meters, and the trek to Hemkund Sahib is one of the most challenging ones in the region.


Joshimath: 

Joshimath is a small town located at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Dhauliganga rivers. It is the winter seat of Lord Badri and is home to several temples and ashrams.


Gaurikund: 

Gaurikund is the starting point of the trek to Kedarnath. It is believed that Goddess Parvati meditated here to win Lord Shiva's affection.

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