Badrinath / Kedarnath / Gangotri / Yamnotri / Chardham Tour India 2012-13


Uttrakahnd abounds in places of sanctity where devotees converge every year to pay obeisance to their Gods braving vagaries of weather & other human travails in Himalaya. Closest to the celestial beings, devotees from all corners of the country have flocked to these Himalayan shrines of Char Dham - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath every year to seek salvation. The arduous trails remain in the ancient sanctuaries of faith for a fulfilling experience. The four dhams receive holy water in the form of four streams - Yamuna (Yamunotri), Bhagirathi (in Gangotri), Mandakini (in Kedarnath) and Alaknanda (in Badrinath).


The Adobe of the Gods..


The Himalayan shrines of Char Dham – Badrinath,Kedarnath,and Gangoti,Yamunotri. - these four shrines are amongst the holiest of Hindu temples and are collectively called CHAR DHAM which are nestled in the picturesque settings of the Himalayas. Since time immemorial both man and God have just one prayer - Shanti - for the living and the Departed. The Char Dham, also called the Deo Bhumi - The Adobe of the Gods.




1. Badrinath Temple:


Badrinath Temple One of the most celebrated pilgrim spots in the country, it plays host to the famous Badrinath Temple. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to the area, called ‘Badri Van’, or the berry garden, to meditate after Narad rebuked the Lord for being immersed in worldly pleasures. The main deity is a meditating Lord Vishnu.
Facing the temple at the bank of Alaknanda River is a hot water spring known as "Tapt Kund", a bath in which is very refreshing to all travellers.





2. Kedar Nath Temple :


Kedar nath is very holy temple. Kedamath was built by Pandavas. The present one is one among Dwadasha Jyotirlinga. Its outer area has the statues of Godess Parvati, Pandva and Godess Lakshmi. Hanskund is situated near to Kedarnath temple where Shradha-Tarpan is performed for the Moksha of Pitra. Amritkund is situated behind the Kedarnath temple and Retas kund is situated at a certain distance from temple. The lake of cold water is located very near to temple and is the origin of river Mandakini. In fact, Uddandkund is situated at a few distances from temple and have a great importance in history.


3. Gangotri Temple:

Gangotri the source of the Ganga (Ganges) River and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in India's Chardam pilgrimage.
Gangotri Temple, constructed in the 18th Century, is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. Near the temple is located a sacred stone where King Bhagiratha is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva. Ganga is believed to have touched earth at this spot. The temple is a beautiful 20 ft high structure made of white granite. Gaumukh is about 18 kms is the proboscis of the Gangotri Glacier and is the source of the Bhagirathi River. Pilgrims have to trek upto the sacred spot on foot or they have the option of going on ponies to take a holy dip in the ice-cold water.



Yamunotri Temple :

Yamunotri, the source of the Yamuna River and the seat of the goddess Yamuna, is one of the four sites in India's Char Dham pilgrimage. The temple of Yamunotri falls on the left bank and was originally constructed by Maharaj Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The shrine of Yamunotri is one of the "four dhams" of Uttaranchal Yamunotri temple is Situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri and the road bifurcates and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a place between Rishikesh - Uttarkashi. Another 55 km away is Barkot, affording a fabulous view of the Banderpunch Range. Barkot is also approachable by road directly from all the major cities in India