About Chardham Yatra
Holy Himalayas up in the misty heights of the majestic Garhwal Himalayas that
adorn the magnificent state of Uttaranchal, awaits a rejuvenating spiritual
experience for the devout. Nestling in the lofty peaks are the four most holy
pilgrimages of India -Yamunotri, Gangotri, Sri Kedarnathji and Sri Badrinathji,
collectively referred to as the Char Dham (or four pilgrimage centres) of
Hinduism. For centuries, saints and pilgrims, in their search for the divine,
have walked these mystical vales known in ancient Hindu scriptures as 'Kedarkhand'
If the scriptures of HINDU RELIGION are to be believed, the holy centres of
Gangotri, Yamunotri,Badrinath and Kedarnath - collectively called theChardham
(meaning four sacred spots) - are the mostsacred of all pilgrimages. Undertaking
a journey to these places will not just wash away one's sins butensure release
from the cycle of birth and death.THE honour conferred on these places is
not surprising. For one, they are all in the icy Garhwal ranges andregarded
as the most sacred of all Himalayan ranges.
It is also said that heaven and earth converge inthese holy spots, and to
be born or die here is a boononly the very fortunate have. The Chardham must
be visited from left to right -beginning with Yamunotri, going on to Gangotri,
Kedarnath and culminating the journey at Badrinath.This route follows the
Hindu tradition of parikrama orclockwise circumambulation.
Badrinath
The Abode of Lord Vishnu Cradled in the twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan
is the holiest of the four main shrines, Badrinath along the left bank river
Alaknanda. With the splendid Neelkanth mountains as the backdrop, it is an
important destination on the scared itinerary of every devour Hindu. Once
the spot was carpeted with 'badris' or wild berries and hence was famous as
'Badri Van'. Badrinath is considered the holiest of the four important shrines
in Garhwal.
The town is at an altitude of 3,133 m. above sea level, situated on the left
bank of river Alaknanda and exactly between the two mountains Nara and Narayan.
The shrine is dedicated to Vishnu, the preserver and falls in the religious
itinerary of every devout Hindu. The present temple was built about two centuries
ago by Garhwal Kings. It is a conical structure, 15 m. tall and has small
cupola of a gilt bull and spire. There are 15 idols in the temple complex,
each sculpted in black stone. The principal idol represents Vishnu in a meditative
posture and is flanked by Nara-Narayan. Legend dates it prior to the Vedic
age though it is believed to have been re-established by Adi Shankaracharya,
an important Hindu saint in 8th century A.D. Some of the other images include
Laxmi (Vishnu's consort), Garud (Vishnu's mount), Shiva & Parvati and
Ganesha. Situated at an altitude of 3,133 mts., the present temple is believed
to have been built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya- an 8th century's philosopher-saint,
who also established a 'math' here. Also known as 'Vishal Badri', Badrinath
is one of the Panch Badris.
Kedarnath
The Celestial Jyotirlingam Amidst the dramatic mountainscapes of the majestic
Kedarnath range stands one of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' of Kedar or Lord Shiva.
Lying at an altitude of 3584 mts. on the head of river Mandakini, the shrine
of Kedarnath is amongst the holiest pilgrimages for the Hindus. Kedarnath
is a majestic sight, standing in the middle of a wide plateau surrounded by
lofty snow covered peaks. The present temple, built in the 8th century by
Adi Shankaracharya, stands adjacent to the site of an earlier temple built
by the Pandavas. The inner walls of the assembly hall are decorated with figures
of various deities and scenes from mythology. . The temple has a " Garbha
Griha" for worship and a Mandap apt for assemblies of pilgrims and visitors.
A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord Shiva in
his Sadashiva form.
Gangotri
According to mythology, Goddess Ganga - the daughter of heaven, manifested
herself in the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagirath's predecessors,
following his severe penance of several centuries. Lord Shiva received into
his matted locks to minimize the immense impact of her fall. She came to be
called Bhagirathi at her legendary source. Along the right back of Bhagirathi
stands the shrine of Gangotri dedicated to the Goddess. Perched at a height
of 3042 mts., it was constructed in the early 18th century by a Gorkha Commander,
Amar Singh Thapa. Every year, lakhs of pilgrims throng the sacred temple between
May and October. By November, Gangotri is covered by snow. It is believed
that the Goddess retreats to Mukhba, her winter abode (12 kms downstream).
The physical source of the holy river is at Gaumukh, 18 kms. furthur uphill,
along the Gangotri Glacier. Several pilgrims trek upto the source to offer
prayers either on foot or on ponies.
Yamunotri
The Garhwal Himalayas have been blessed with some of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage
sites and Yamunotri is one such. One of the Char Dhams according to Hindu
mythology, Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred river Yamuna. Famous for
its thermal springs and glaciers, it is one of the most important stopovers
on the itinerary of the Hindu pilgrim. According to an old legend, Asit Muni,
the revered sage, used to reside here. The main temple is dedicated to Goddess
Yamuna. The present temple was built by Maharani Guleria of Jaipur in the
late nineteenth century. Once destroyed by an earthquake, it has been rebuilt.
A holy dip in the nearby tank filled by hot springs and cooking rice in its
water are common rituals performed by the devotees.
