Located in Garhwal, Char Dham Yatra consists of 4 holy sites - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Char Dham Yatra is a circuit of four holy sites that can be directly translated into the ‘the small four abode seats’.
Char Dham Yatra is a well-known pilgrimage that takes pilgrims to four of the holiest sites in the Hindu religion. These holy sites are Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The Char Dham Yatra derives its name from the longer Char Dham pilgrimage circuit that has pilgrimage destinations at four different corners of the country. You can book your Chardham Yatra Packages anywhere in India, online.
The Char Dham Yatra begins in the month of May after the monsoon season and when the four holy sites are accessible by road. The Char Dham Yatra was suspended in the year 2013 due to landslides in the state of Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage then resumed in May of 2014 and is accessible to this day in the year 2021. You can also visit Chardham Yatra by helicopter.
You can also visit the official government website for Chardham Yatra 2021 guidelines and Chardham Yatra 2021 latest news.
The best time to visit the Chardham Yatra, Uttarakhand is in the month of May and June. Heavy rainfall in the months of August and July makes the road to Char Dham Yatra risky as there is immense rainfall and the chances of road blocks due to landslides.
The Char Dham Yatra
Char Dham Yatra has a lot of history that is attached to this pilgrimage circuit. Until the 1950s the Char Dham Yatra was difficult to access as the Char Dham were located in remote areas and were inaccessible by road. During this era of the Char Dham Yatra, only ascetics and religious people made the climb to the Char Dham which was precarious and a risky trip.
In the year 1962, access to the Char Dham Yatra was made more accessible and this was a new beginning for the religious pilgrimage. Many Hindus began to visit the holy site and pay homage to the Char Dham. During this period, India took massive proactiveness to build roads through the snow-capped mountains and make the Char Dham Yatra more accessible to the common people.
The Four Dham and their importance
Each of the four Dhams that pilgrims visit is unique in its own way. The four locations of the Char Dham Yatra are as follows.
Yamunotri
Gangotri
Kedarnath
Badrinath
The pilgrims make the Char Dham Yatra in the same order as is in the list with
Yamunotri is the first destination and Badrinath being the last of the four holy pilgrimage sites. Traditionally, pilgrims would access the pilgrimage from Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun.
Let’s take a look at the importance of each of the holy sites of Char Dham Yatra.
Yamunotri - This is the source of the Yamuna river and is also considered as the head of the Goddess Yamuna.
Gangotri - this is the source of the holy river Ganga and is considered as the head of the Goddess Ganga.
Kedarnath - This is the location of one of the 12 holy Jyotirlingas and where lored Shiva is venerated for his power and control. This location is also the foremost of the Panch Kedar Temples in Uttarkhand.
Badrinath - This temple is believed to be the seat of the Hindu God Vishnu.
The four temples of Char Dham Yatra are located deep in the mountains of Uttarakhand and are a holy site that is steeped in beauty and seclusion.
When visiting Char Dham Yatra one has the time and is surrounded by such beauty that they have the time to reflect on the holy mission of this pilgrimage.
The words Char Dham Yatra literally translate into the four Holy Abodes. It is a pilgrimage taken by followers of Goddess Ganga, Goddess Yamuna, Lord Shiva, and Lord Vishnu. While climbing the mountains of the Char Dham Yatra one feels closer to their religion and spirituality.
When visiting the Char Dham Yatra, it is believed that a dip in the holy river of Yamuna absolves one of all their sins and makes their souls clean. The second destination in the Char Dham Yatra - that of river Ganga gives devotees access to the source of one of the holiest rivers in India.
The highest form of the Jyotirlingas is found at the third destination of this holy pilgrimage. The destination of Kedarnath is also believed to be the land of Lord Shiva. The Temple of Kedarnath is situated along the banks of the Mandakini River. The temple is set against the snowy backdrop of Kedarnath and is a view to behold.
When to take the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage
The best time to take the Char Dham Yatra is in the months of May and June. According to the Hindu religion, the Char Dham Yatra season begins on the auspicious date of Akshaya Tritiya and continues onwards until the festival of Bhai Dooj. You can begin your journey to Char Dham Yatra via four main routes. These routes are Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun
