 |
Chardham
Tour
Introduction
The holy river Ganges and her tributaries flow past the Four Dams that are
located in the state of Uttaranchal in North India. It is believed that
Goddess Ganga descended upon the Earth in the form of a River to help the
suffering humanity. It was split into four channels that include Alaknanda
(in Badrinath), Mandakini (in Kedarnath), Bhagirathi (in Gangotri) and
Yamuna (in Yamunotri).
Each of the Four Dhams is blessed with spellbinding scenic beauty and
countless ancient temples. Every year, countless tourists from across the
world, visit here in search of peace and tranquility.
Badrinath
Located amidst the mountain ranges of the Nar Narayan Parvat, Badrinath is
one of the most revered Hindu shrines of India. Badrinath is also known as
�Tapobhumi� the land of meditation and penance and �Bhubalkunth�,
which means heaven on earth.
The place is called Badrinath as it was once carpeted with the �Badris�
or wild berries.
Badrinath Temple: Built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya, the temple was
renovated several times due to damage by avalanches. This 15 metre high
temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu . The 1 metre high image of Badrinath,
finely sculpted in black stone, is a must see. The image depicts Lord Vishnu
seated in a meditative pose.�Tapt Kund� the hot water spring faces the
shrine. Narad Kund and Surya Kund are other well known springs in its
vicinity.
Places to visit in Badrinath: Joshimath,
Valley of Flowers, Gobindghat, Chamoli and Panch.
Best Season: May
to October.
Kedarnath
Reputed as one of the 12 Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva, Kedarnath is the most
sacrosanct pilgrim spot located in the Uttaranchal Region. According to
mythology the deity of Kedarnath Temple is identified with the hump of a
bull, a form assumed by Lord Shiva, when eluding the Pandavas, who had come
for repentance for killing their kith & kin, in the Kurushetra battle
when the Pandavas followed him to the site. He dived into the ground leaving
behind him a hump on the surface. This conical projection is worshipped as
the idol in the temple. The remaining parts of the body are worshipped at
four other sites - the arms (Bahu) at Tungnath, mouth (Much) at Rudranath,
navel (Nabhi) at Madmaheshwar and hair (Jata) at Kalpeshwar. These five
shrines collectively are known as the Panch Kedar.
Kedarnath Temple: Built in the 8th century by Adi Guru Shankaracharya
- the walls of the temple depict scenes from the mythology. The Temple,
believed to be 1,000 years old, plays abode to the samadhi of Guru
Shankaracharya.
Places to visit: Vasuki
Tal, Son Prayag, Gaurikund, Triyunginarayan, Ukhnimath, Deoria Tal and Panch
Kedar.
When to visit in Kedarnath : May
to October except during monsoon.
Gangotri
Gangotri is the origin of the sacred River Ganges. The place where it
actually originates is called the Gaumukh. An ancient temple here dedicated
to Goddess Ganga, situated at a height of 3,200 metre above sea level. It is
believed to have been built by Gurkha Commander Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th
Century . The temple gates are open for tourist and devotees only on certain
days in May. The gates are closed during winter and the statue of the deity
is taken to a nearby village called Mukhwa (Mukhimath) for six months, where
it is worshipped.
Places to visit: Jalmagna
Shivling, Bhairon Valley, Gaumukh Glacier, Patangana, Sat Tal.
Yamunotri
It is one of the four most significant pilgrimage places collectively called
�Char Dham� in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is the source of the river
Yamuna in Bandarpunch mountain, which is 6,315 m above the sea level. A
temple here is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and the holy thermal springs.
Before one enters the Yamunotri Temple there is the �Divya Shila� a rock
pillar, it has to be worshipped first.
The best time to visit is from May to November.
Yamuna Devi Temple: Built by Maharani Gularia of Jaipur in 19th
Century attracts large crowds who come to get blessings of the Goddess.
Heavy snowfall compels the locals to close the temple during the months from
November to May. �Suraj Kund� has many attractive thermal springs.
Places to visit: Janaki
Chatli, Saptarishi Kund Lake, Kharsali, Badkot.
Copyright � 2002, Royaleeindiavisa.com
Site Developed by
EON Solutions
Visa
Information 
Golden
Triangle