Char Dham: A Spiritual Journey to the Sacred Peaks of the Himalayas

Hinduism is considered the oldest religion in the world. Over time, various harmful practices and divisions emerged within Hindu society.

Adi Shankaracharya, one of Hinduism’s foremost theologians, was deeply troubled by the state of the great religion and worked tirelessly to restore Hinduism’s glory. To this day, he is regarded as the unifier of Hinduism’s main thoughts and beliefs due to his monumental efforts.

Adi Shankaracharya suggested that every Hindu should visit the Char Dham at least once in their lifetime. These Char Dham are Badrinath, Puri, Dwaraka, and Rameswaram, located across the country. One unique aspect of visiting these sites is seeing the entirety of India.

Char Dham means significant pilgrimage sites. “Char” is the Hindi term for four, and “Dham” refers to an abode. Over time, smaller Char Dham circuits were also developed based on religious beliefs and faith. One such Char Dham circuit is located in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, encompassing four pilgrimage sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Uttarakhand is a region blessed with abundant natural beauty. This Char Dham of Uttarakhand is situated in the Himalayan peaks. It is the most significant pilgrimage circuit in northern India among Hindus.

This pilgrimage begins at Yamunotri, the westernmost site in this Char Dham, and ends at Badrinath, the easternmost destination. This follows the Hindu belief of starting in the west and concluding in the east. Each of the four sites in this circuit is dedicated to a particular deity, as detailed below.

Yamunotri:
This site is dedicated to the Yamuna River, as it marks the river’s source, originating from the Champasar Glacier on Kalind Mountain. The Yamuna River is also considered the daughter of the Sun God and the sister of Lord Yama, the God of Death. Therefore, people bathe in Yamunotri to appease Lord Yama. There are several hot springs near the Yamunotri temple where devotees cook rice and potatoes by immersing them in the hot water springs, tied in cloth. These cooked foods are taken as offerings.

Gangotri:
Gangotri is dedicated to the most sacred river in Hindu mythology, the Ganges (Ganga). It is believed that Bhagirath performed severe penance to achieve Moksha (salvation) for his ancestors, which could only be attained if the Ganga descended to Earth from heaven. However, the flow was so forceful that it could have destroyed the Earth. Bhagirath sought Lord Shiva’s help, who agreed to hold Ganga in His locks and slowly release her onto Earth, reducing her intensity. Gangotri is where Mother Ganga first touched the Earth from Shiva’s locks. This act freed Bhagirath’s ancestors’ souls, granting them salvation. Since then, it is believed that a single dip in the Ganga can absolve a person of all sins and grant them a place in heaven. At Gangotri, the Ganga is called Bhagirathi, and it is only after meeting the Alaknanda River at Devprayag (251 km from Gangotri) that it is named Ganga.

The source of Bhagirathi is the Gaumukh Glacier. Once, Gangotri and Gaumukh were at the same location, but now the glacier has shifted, requiring a 19 km trek from Gangotri to reach Gaumukh.

Kedarnath:
The Kedarnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Adi Shankaracharya left his body here and attained salvation. This temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and is considered the highest among them. It is also a key site in the Panch Kedar. The temple is not directly accessible, requiring a 22 km (one-way) trek to reach it. This journey can be undertaken on foot, by pony, or via palanquins. Helicopter services are also currently available.

Badrinath:
Also known as the Badrinarayan Temple, this shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. According to Hindu texts, there are 108 Divyadesams or sacred places of Lord Vishnu, and Badrinath is one of the most significant. It is believed that Lord Vishnu meditated here under a Badri tree (jujube tree), giving the place its name.

Art Of Travel India Holidays specializes in all types of religious tourism, including visits to Uttarakhand Char Dham. Book your spot now for this sacred journey with us.