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.

Haridwar
Haridwar means the gateway to the abode to Gods. In the Hindu mythology Haridwar is known as ‘Kapilsthan’ , according to the legend Prince Bhagirath of Suryavanshi, performed a penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors, who had perished, due to the curse of the Sage Kapila. The penance was answered and the River Ganga trickled forth from Lord Shiva’s locks and its bountiful waters revived the sixty thousand sons of King Sagara. Haridwar is amongst the sacred spots situated at the banks of the Holy Ganga.

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Places to visit in Haridwar: Har-Ki-Pauri, Bhimganga Tank, Canal Centenary Bridge, Parmarth Ashram, Manasa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi, Daksha Mahadev Temple , Sati Kund and Pawan Dham.

When to visit: Round the year.

Rishikesh
It is situated at the confluence of Ganga and the Chandrabhaga Stream, Rishikesh is where Raibhya Rishi did penance to please God, who appeared as Hrishikesh, hence the name Rishikesh. Rishikesh has become famous as one of the main centres for learning yoga and meditation.

Rishikesh is also significant as the trekking base to the Himalayan shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Places to visit in Rishikesh : Ram Jhoola, Laxman Jhoola, Neel Kanth Mahadev, Bharat Mandir.

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When to visit: Round the year.

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.

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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.

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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.

Allahabad
Blessed with the great three rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, Allahabad has played an important role in history, culture and religion. The city, because of confluence of the great three rivers is known as Sangam. Peoples come here to take a holy dip which is said to cleanse the soul. This Holy Sangam is the most sacred pilgrimage centres of India.

The chief attraction of this place are Kumbh Mela and the Ardh Kumbh.

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Places to visit: Sangam, Allahabad Fort, Patalpuri Temple, Ashoka Pillar, Hanuman Temple and Mankameshwar Temple.

Varanasi
This enchanting city is said to have been founded by Lord Shiva. This ancient city set on the banks of the River Ganga, formerly known as Kashi or Benares. It is called the City of Light since one of the twelve Jyortinglings’s is installed here. The ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus, who believe that to die in the city is to attain instant ‘Moksha’ or salvation.

Places to visit in Varanasi: Ghats, Temples, The Golden Temple, Durga Temple, Bharat Mata Temple.