The Char Dham Yatra is a pilgrimage tour that includes visiting four sacred Hindu temples located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
The temples are Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, and they are considered to be among the most sacred places in Hinduism. The yatra, which typically takes place between April and October, attracts thousands of devotees from all over the world every year.
The Char Dham Yatra begins at the temple of Yamunotri, located on the banks of the Yamuna River.
This temple is dedicated to the goddess Yamuna, who is considered the sister of Lord Yama, the god of death. The temple was built in the 19th century by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwa.
Temple of Gangotri
After visiting Yamunotri, the yatra continues to the temple of Gangotri, located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River.
This temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga, who is considered to be the daughter of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the temple was built in the 18th century by the Gurkha general Amar Singh Thapa.
Kedarnath Temple
The third stop on the Char Dham Yatra is the temple of Kedarnath, located in the Kedarnath Valley.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas or shrines where Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a linga. The temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas during the Mahabharata era.
Badrinath - Final stop of Char Dham Yatra
The final stop on the Char Dham Yatra is the temple of Badrinath, located in the town of Badrinath.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered one of the four holy shrines known as Char Dham. Every Hindu must visit this temple at least once in his life. It is believed that the temple was built in the 8th century by sage Adi Shankaracharya.
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The Char Dham Yatra is not only a religious journey but also a challenging one. The yatra involves trekking through rugged and mountainous terrain, and the altitude can be quite high.
The trek to the Kedarnath temple is considered the most difficult of all four dhams. The yatra can be done on foot, by horse or doli (palanquin), or by helicopter.
The Char Dham Yatra also has a great significance in terms of tourism. The yatra has been instrumental in the development of infrastructure and facilities in the region, such as hotels, guest houses, and restaurants. The yatra also helps in generating employment opportunities for the local people.
In conclusion, the Char Dham Yatra is a sacred and challenging pilgrimage tour that takes devotees to the four most important temples in Hinduism located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.
The yatra is not only a religious journey but also an opportunity for adventure, as well as a source of economic development for the region. It is an experience that every Hindu should have in their lifetime.
