There are 4 divine shrines (Char Dham) in Uttarakhand dedicated to Hindu Gods and divine rivers of India. The 4 temples are located within the Garhwal Region in Uttarakhand.
These are collectively described as “Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra”. Pilgrims from around the globe and India visit the temples as “Char Dham Yatra”. In the Hindu faith, Char Dham Yatra holds terrific importance and solemnity.
It is believed that every Hindu ought to carry out Char Dham Yatra at least once as soon as in a lifetime to make use of the true blessings of the gods.
When you go to Char Dham Yatra, Haridwar is the conventional point that begins with Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand.
Haridwar is on the levels and quickly accessible by Road & Train from various other areas of India, including New Delhi. It is additionally available by road from Dehradun, which has Airport.
So Pilgrims can fly to Dehradun from Delhi & various other places in India and after that continue to Haridwar by Road travel.
Haridwar is famous for Ganga Aarthi which happens in the evening around 6 to 7 pm daily and also throughout the year.
From Haridwar, Pilgrims can travel by road to the next stop in Char Dham yatra i.e. Rishikesh, which is likewise in the plains. Ganga Aarthi happens in Rishikesh also in the evening daily.
From Rishikesh, Pilgrims can travel to Four areas of Char Dham yatra i.e, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. The details are offered below for Char Dham Yatra.
Shri Kedarnath Dham
In the Chamoli district, there are more than 200 shrines devoted to Lord Shiva in Uttarakhand, perhaps the most significant one being Kedarnath.
According to the tale, the Pandavas after having won over the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war, really felt guilty about having eliminated their own Kith and also Kin and also sought the true blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption. He thwarted them repeatedly and also while getting away took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a buffalo.
The continuing portions of Lord Shiva showed up at 4 various other places and also are venerated there as his indications.
The arms of the Lord showed up at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the stomach at Madmaheshwar, and also his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. The Kedarnath and 4 discussed shrines are treated as Panch Kedar (Panch suggests Five in Sanskrit).
The Temple at Kedarnath offers an imposing view, standing in the center of a large plateau bordered by soaring snow-covered tops.
The temple was initially integrated into the 8th century A.D. by Jagad Guru Adi Shankaracharya as well as stands beside the website of an also previously temple constructed by the Pandavas.
The inner wall surfaces of the assembly hall are decorated with numbers of numerous divine beings and also scenes from mythology. Outside the temple door, a large statue of the Nandi Bafellow stands as guard.
Devoted to Lord Shiva, the Kedarnath holy place has actually a beautiful design Built of extremely big, hefty as well as equally reduced grey pieces of rocks, it stimulates marvel regarding just how these hefty slabs were relocated as well as dealt with in the earlier centuries. A conical rock development inside the holy place is worshipped as Lord Shiva in his Sadashiva form.
Climatic Condition at Kedarnath
Though it is cold throughout the year in Kedarnath because of its high altitude. The summer season experiences much more rainfall than winter here. The average temperature of Kedarnath is 2°C to 30 °C.
Best time to go
In the summer season, from April to September is the best time to visit Kedarnath valley while the weather condition is good and there are no rainfalls here.
During the winter season, there is a very heavy snowfall every year and the temple remains closed until the weather is clear.
How to reach
Rishikesh is the main entry point to reach Kedarnath. If you are looking for airways services then Jollygrant airport is the nearest airport from Kedarnath. Once you reach Dehradun can travel ahead via road.
Now helicopter services are started by the government of Uttarakhand under the name heliservices. You have to book in advance for the same. If you travel by helicopter and complete your Char Dham trip then it will take very less time to visit Char Dham. For more information, you can check the official website for booking the helicopter services for Char Dham Yatra.
You have one more option of railways. The nearest railway station is the Rishikesh railway station which is about 215 kilometers away from Kedarnath.
Shri Badrinath Dham
Shri Badrinath Dham or Badrinath Temple or Badrinarayana Temple is a Hindu temple of Lord Vishnu which is situated in Badrinath town in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand.
The primary gateway of Badrinath holy place is colourful as well as enforcing widely known as Singhdwar. The temple is about 50 feet high with a little cupola on the top, covered with gold gilt roofing.
The Badarinath holy place is separated right into three components (a) The Garbha Griha or the sanctum sanctorum (b) The Darshan Mandap where rituals are conducted and also (c) The Sabha Mandap where explorers assemble.
At the Badrinath Mandir Gate, straight opposite the primary Idol of Lord himself, is seated idolizer of Bird Garud, vehicle/carrier of Lord Badarinarayan. Garud can be seen in a sitting placement and also in petition with his hands folded up. The walls and columns of the mandapa are covered with elaborate makings.
The Garbha Griha part has its canopy covered with a sheet of gold and residences Lord Badari Narayan, Kuber (God of wealth), Narad rishi, Udhava, Nar, as well as Narayan.
The complicated has 15 idols. Especially eye-catching is the one-meter high photo of lord Badarinath, finely sculpted in black rock. According to the tale, Shankara uncovered a black stone image of Lord Badarinarayan made of Saligram stone in the Alaknanda River.
He initially enshrined it in a cavern near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the 16th century, the King of Garhwal relocated the murti to the here-and-now area of the holy place. It stands for Lord Vishnu seated in a meditative posture called Padmasan.
Darshan Mandap: Lord Badari Narayan is armed with Conch as well as Chakra in two arms in a lifted pose as well as 2 arms relaxed in Yogic Pose. Badarinarayan is seen under the Badari tree, flanked by Kuber and also Garuda, Narad, Narayan as well as Nar.
As you look, standing to the ideal side of Badarinarayana is Uddhava. To the right side are Nara and also Narayana. Narada Muni is stooping ahead on the right side and is challenging to see. On the left side is Kubera-the god of wealth, and also a silver Ganesh. Garuda is stooping in front, to the left of Badarinarayana.
Climate Condition
The climate of Badrinath is often cold throughout the year. From October to March (6 months) you can see heavy snowfall here. At this time kapaat (doors) of the temple is closed for visitors during this winter season.
In the summer season, from May to June the temperature range is from 5 degrees to 15 degrees. July and August, the rainy season start here and the temple is again closed this season till the monsoon is over.
Best time to go
In April and May, good sunny days are there at Badrinath temple and the season is good for visiting the temple. Also after the rainy season, you can visit the temple and it opens almost a month this time.
How to reach
Instructions to arrive at Badrinath by flight
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the closest air terminal to Badrinath, a ways off of nearly 314 km.
It is a significant home-ground air terminal for Uttarakhand and is very much associated with significant urban communities throughout New Delhi. Taxis are effectively accessible from the air terminal to Badrinath.
Instructions to arrive at Badrinath by road
Badrinath is associated with significant urban communities of Uttarakhand by a motorable street. Transports from ISBT Kashmiri Entryway, Delhi are accessible to Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Dehradun.
Badrinath is additionally associated with ordinary transports from urban areas like Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli among others. Badrinath is associated with Ghaziabad through NH 58.
Instructions to arrive at Badrinath via train
The closest railroad station to Badrinath is Rishikesh which is separated at 295 km from Badrinath in NH58.
It is very much associated with significant urban communities in India by customary trains. From Rishikesh, you can take a transport or taxi to arrive at Badrinath.
Gangotri Dham
The Gangotri temple was developed by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, in the 18th century as well as is situated on the left financial institution of the Bhagirathi river. The holy place is located in the middle of the lovely environments of deodars and also evergreen.
It lies close to the holy rock called Bhagirath Shila where King Bhagirath had actually worshiped Lord Shiva. The Gangotri holy place is committed to Goddess Ganga.
The Pujaris and also Priests that perform in the holy place belong to the town of Mukhwa. The water from Gangotri is reached supply to Lord Shiva. It is believed that this water has nectar in it and also will relieve the throat of Shiva who gulps the poison.
Climate Condition
The climatic conditions of Gangotri Dham are the same as others. This place is cold throughout the year. From November to march there is heavy snowfall here. In May and June, the weather is pleasant and sunny, and the best time to visit this dam.
The rainy season starts in July for 2 or 3 months and from mid of September weather conditions are normal here.
Best time to go
In Gangotri, the summers are set at the beginning of April and end in the period of May. Being one of the ideal times of Gangotri, summer is incredibly satisfying here.
In this season the day temperature never crosses 30°C, while the evenings are freezing. This season is the best time for a journey or a thrilling touring trip.
Starting from late July till the finish of September, Gangotri invites the rainstorm. Weighty precipitation causes bunches of hardships like avalanches while making a trip to the Gangotri Sanctuary.
One, who wishes to visit Gangotri during this season, should be exceptional to deal with the difficult climate of this place.
The Winter season in Gangotri begins in the period of November and endures till Spring. Winters here are too crisp joined by weighty snowfall.
The ways to the sanctum stay hindered, consequently, the guests are prompted not to design an excursion to this spot in the colder time of year season.
How to reach
Via Railways
The closest railroad station is Rishikesh, which is very much associated with Dehradun and Delhi.
By Road
There are day-to-day transport administrations from Gangotri to Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun. Jeeps and rhythms are accessible from Rishikesh to Gangotri.
Yamunotri Dham
The Shrine of Yamunotri at the resource of the river Yamuna. Atop is a flank of Bandar Poonch Peak (3615 meters).
The actual resource, an icy lake of ice as well as a glacier (Champasar Glacier) located on the Kalind Mountain at the elevation of 4421 m over water level is about 1 kilometer further up is not easily accessible.
The shrine has actually been situated on the foot of the hillside. The Temple of divine mommy Yamuna was developed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal.
The small Yamuna has icy cold water and its absolute innocence as well as childish purity increase that deep feeling of reverence, that Yamunotri has for the passionate.
According to the legend of the old sage, Asit Muni had his hermitage right here. The trek to Yamunotri is really amazing, dominated by a panorama of sturdy optimal and thick forests.
The divine being of Goddess Yamuna is made of black marble. The holy place is committed to the river Yamuna, which is represented in the type of silver idol, bedecked with garlands.
Near the holy place are warm water springtimes spurting out from the hill dental caries. Surya Kund is one of the most crucial Kund. Near the Surya Kund, there is a shila called Divya Shila, which is worshipped prior to puja being provided to the deity.
Pilgrims prepare rice and also potatoes to provide at the shrine by dipping them in these hot water springs, tied in muslin fabric. Rice so cooked is repossessed house as prasadam. The pujaris and also clergymen who do in the Yamunotri holy place come from the town of Kharsali near Jankichatti.