Since India entered World War II and subsequent investment in rural infrastructure development projects such as roads and rural road networks in 1962, the Chota Chardham Yatra has enjoyed widespread appreciation. Convenience made visiting holy temples easier in Uttarakhand (formerly part of Uttar Pradesh). Thus, the four new shrines became better accessible, gradually replacing original Char Dhams with Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath as original Char Dhams had taken their places.
Chardham Yatra Temples To Know About
1. Yamunotri Dham
Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River and home of its goddess, Yamuna, offering pilgrims access to her origin. It is the first temple on the route of Chardham Yatra. However, due to limited accessibility, it has its shrine at Yamunotri Temple at its foothills, allowing many worshipers and visitors to pray there instead of trekking uphill for Yamunotri Glacier. Pilgrims frequently pay their homage here. If you are planning Chardham Yatra Package from Haridwar, you must trek 6 km to reach the temple.
Places to visit
- Yamunotri Temple: This temple is in the very high Garhwal hills at an altitude of 3291 meters above sea level and was built in the 19th century by the Maharani Gularia of Jaipur. Goddess Yamuna is shown here as a shining silver idol.
- Saptrishi Kund: Saptrishikund is the Yamuna River’s source and is 4421 meters higher than sea level. To trek here requires getting used to altitude gradually before finally reaching Saptrishikund temple for worship and reflection.
- Surya Kund: One of many thermal springs located here, Yamuna is said to be the daughter of Surya (the Sun god) and Sangya.
- Divya Shila: As part of their pilgrimage rituals to Yamunotri Dham Yatra, pilgrims offer prayers at this strong rock pillar near Surya Kund. Before beginning their trek, they offer prayers here as an offering.
2. Gangotri Dham
Gangotri Dham, the next temple during the Chardham Yatra, known as goddess Ganga’s home, attracts numerous pilgrims. Situated 19 km away from Gaumukh, where the Ganga River originates, you can reach Gangotri Dham along the Bhagirath River route up until Devprayag, where the Alakananda River confluences into what we now worship as the Ganga River. Its Places to Visit for Gangotri Dham.
Places to visit
- Gangotri Temple: Constructed during the eighteenth century by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, this temple is home for Gangotri’s shrine.
- Bhagirath Shila: Considered a sacred rock by some, King Bhagirath made prayers here to Lord Shiva for the salvation of his ancestor’s soul.
- Submerged Shivalingam at Gangotri: According to Hindu legend, this submerged shivling is in River Bhagirathi near Gangotri, where Lord Shiva sat to receive Goddes Ganga through his locks.
- Pandava Gufa: Gangotri offers an easy 1.5-kilometer trek that leads to this ancient cave where legend states the Pandavas once rested and meditated before setting out on their journey toward Kailash.
3. Kedarnath Dham
Kedarnath is one of the world’s most beautiful locations. The temple is near the source of River Mandakini in the Himalayas and boasting spectacular snowy peaks. This city was named in honor of Saintly King Kedar during Satya Yuga, who once reigned over all seven continents before heralding Vrinda incarnating Goddess Laxmi herself into this life. You can book Chardham Yatra by Helicopter as you need to trek for 14 kilometers to reach the temple.
Places to visit
- Kedarnath Temple: Situated amidst the Garhwal Himalayan Range hills in Garhwal and constructed around the 8th Century by Adi Shankaracharya as part of his Hindu philosophy teachings, this temple is believed to have been constructed in its original location by Pandavas centuries prior. Devotes revere a conical rock formation inside it, such as Sadashiva, another form of Lord Shiva worshiped here by devotees. It is one of the important temples of the Chardham Yatra temple.
- Gandhi Sarovar: Many believe this lake to be where Yudoishthir, the eldest Pandava brother, departed this worldly life and ascended to heaven.
- Shankaracharya Samadhi: Adiguru Shankaracharya, the Hindu philosopher, attained Samadhi just 600 meters from Kedarnath Temple.
- Bhairon Temple: Situated one km from Kedarnath Temple, a widely held belief identifies it as home to its protector. Bhairon temple is widely seen as protecting both Kedarnath and the surrounding valley.
4. Badrinath Dham
The last temple of the Chardham Yatra is the Badrinath Dham, the principal deity worshiped is Lord Vishnu, who is in the form of Badrinarayan. Badrinath Dham stands apart, forming part of both original Char Dhams and Chhota Char Dhams.
Places to visit
- Badrinath Temple: The temple dates back to when Shankaracharya discovered an idol made out of black Saligram stone depicting Lord Vishnu as Lord Badrinath and placed it near Tapt Kund hot springs for worshipping purposes. Later, in the 16th century, the Garhwal ruler brought this statue from its original location and placed it at its current site in front of an entranceway of the current temple complex.
- Neelkanth Peek: Also dubbed as the ‘Garhwal Queen”, Neelkanth Peek is an impressive snowy peak resembling a pyramid shape located behind Badrinath Temple and with an altitude of 6597 above sea level, serving as one of the initial points to receive sunlight in this part of India. It receives light from sunrise until noon each day!
- Vasudhara Falls: These 400-foot waterfall lie four kilometers outside Badrinath near Mana village and is a sight to behold and the soothing echo of the gushing waters can bring peace.
Conclusion
The Chardham Yatra takes pilgrims to four important destinations of the Uttarakhand region. You must plan the Yatra well and prepare accordingly. For more information on the Yatra and Chardham Yatra packages, visit LIH Travel.
