chardham

The term “Char Dham” literally means “four abodes” and refers to the four Hindu pilgrimage destinations Badrinath-Rameshwaram-Puri-Dwarka. They are established by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya in in the 8th century CE in four corner of India. It is considered to be an important journey for Hindus seeking spiritual fulfillment. It is believed that by undertaking this pilgrimage, one can attain salvation and experience a sense of inner peace and fulfillment.

The four sites in the Badrinath-Rameshwaram-Puri-Dwarka Char Dham circuit are:

•  Badrinath: Located in Uttarakhand, Badrinath is one of the four sites in the original Char Dham circuit. It is the site of the Badrinath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• Rameshwaram: Located in Tamil Nadu, Rameshwaram is a popular pilgrimage site known for its Ramanathaswamy Temple. It is believed to be one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva) and is also associated with the Hindu epic Ramayana.
• Puri: Located in the state of Odisha, Puri is the site of the Jagannath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishnu). The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra festival, during which the deities are taken on a chariot procession.
• Dwarka: Located in Gujarat, Dwarka is the site of the Dwarkadhish Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is believed to be one of the four principal pilgrim centers (Char Dham) of the Vaishnavas.

Chota Char Dham is a sacred pilgrimage circuit in India that consists of four holy sites in the state of Uttarakhand: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.

Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River, while Gangotri is the source of the Ganges River. Kedarnath is the site of the Kedarnath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Badrinath is the site of the Badrinath Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. These four sites are believed to be the most sacred places in the Hindu religion, and pilgrims visit them to seek blessings and purification of their sins.

The Char Dham Yatra is considered a very auspicious journey, and it is believed that by undertaking this pilgrimage, one can attain salvation. The Yatra usually begins in April or May and lasts until October or November. During this time, thousands of devotees visit these sites, and the roads leading to these places become very busy.

The Char Dham Yatra is not just a religious journey, but also a journey through the natural beauty of the Himalayas. The journey to these holy sites is considered an arduous one, and pilgrims often walk long distances to reach them. The entire journey is a test of faith and endurance, and it is believed that those who undertake this pilgrimage with a pure heart and sincere devotion are blessed by the gods.”