11 Nights Chardham Yatra
According to Hindu belief, Badrinath became prominent when Nar-Narayan, an avatar of Vishnu, did Tapasya there. At that time that place was filled with berry trees. In the Sanskrit language, berries are called "badri", so the place was named Badrika-Van, i.e. the forest of berries. The particular spot where the Nar-Narayan did Tapasya, a large berry tree formed covering Him to save Him from the rain and the sun. Local people believe that Mata Lakshmi became the berry tree to save Lord Narayan. Post-Tapasya, Narayan said, people will always take Her Name before His Name, hence Hindus always refer "Lakshmi-Narayan". It was therefore called Badri-Nath, i.e. the Lord of Berry forest. This all happened in the Satya Yuga. So Badrinath came to be known as the first Dham.
Activities
Get to know more about Chardham before booking your tour packages
Chardham consist of four pilgrimage sightseeing in the nation. There is a strong belief that if you happen to visit these sites this will help you to gain Moksha. As Chardham consists of four Dhams namely Yamunotri, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri. The exact meaning of Chardham is four abodes of God. It is sometimes called Chhota Char Dham as well. While it is said that every Hindu should visit Chardham once in their lifetime. All these pilgrimage called Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri draws a massive population each year thus becoming major hubs of religious destination of Northern part of the nation. CharDham begins from Yamunotri continues to Gangotri ends to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
These four sites is highly devoted to a particular God Like Yamunotri is dedicated to Yamuna Goddess it is believed that taking a shower in Yamuna protects the devotee from the clutches of death period. Where as Gangotri is dedicated to Goddess Ganga the name has been derived from ancient king Bhagirath. Kedarnath temple is dedicated for Lord Shiva that is part of Panch Kedar. Kedarnath have 12 feet statue of Adi Guru Shankaracharya that weights of 35 tonnes and has been built by Mysore based sculpture of chlorite Schist Stone and this is been polished by coconut water to hold shine. Badrinath temple is dedicated for Lord Vishnu . Stepping into the sacred journey one needs to prepare themselves to experience physical as well as mental hardships on the Himalayan roads. The amazing beauty of the mountains gives you strength to the devotees as they move to their destination. Badrinath Dham there is 3.3 ft long statue situated at the enterence of Badrinath temple and is considered to be the major attractions of Badrinath temple. After the temple got completed queen of Indore Ahilyabai gifted a gold umbrella on her visit to the temple.The main attraction of Yamunotri are Yamunotri temple built by Maharani Guleria in 19th century. Many travelers like to trek here they are fell by the mountains and peaks of this place. Gangotri have gomukh glaciers that is believed to be the origin of Goddess Ganga. Gangotri is known to offer peace to all the travelers.
Chardham is purely a journey for rejuvenating the soul and introspecting your innerself. The main motto to carry this journey is to gain salvation. It was established by Adi Shankaracharya. It’s a journey to get rid of all the materialistic things of the world each temples here is dedicated to specific God and have their own significance. What makes this journey more memorable are the amazing spellbounding views of Himalayas, waterfalls, meadows, rivers and valleys.
The Geography and Seasons
If you plan a trip to Chardham, you should know about the climatic& geographic pattern of the region that will definitely help you to make your trip without any mess. Chardham is located in four different directions in India. It is located in Garhwal of uttarakhand. Badrinath became as the central site of Himalayan pilgrimage that is called Chota Char Dham. Better infrastructure facilities the significance of the Charmdham in uttarakhand have considerably increased. Chardham is situated in the remote areas of uttarakhand surrounded by hills. During the winters all the four dhams gets high rainfall makes the place out of reach. Chardham’s opening dates every year is decided by the priests on special occasions. As Kedarnath opening dates will be decided on Mahashivratri, same as Badrinath opening dates will be called out on Basant Panchmi and Gangotri – Yamunotri dates will be after Akshay Tritya each year.
Yamunotri Dham temple Darshan timing is from 6:00am to 8:00pm and places to vist here are DivyaShila, Surya kund, Saptrishi Kund. The best time to visit Yamunotri is from May to June and September to November. Gangotri dham temple Darshan timing is from 6:15am to 2:00pm and 3:00pm to 9:30pm and places to visit here is Bhagirath shila, Bhairov Ghati, Gaumukh. The best time to visit Gangotri is May till june and September – November. Kedarnath temple is an altitude of 11,755ft. Darshan timing closed from 3:00 pm to 5:00pm open for other hours. Places to visit are Bhairav nath temple, Adi Shankaracharya temple, Vasuki tal . The best time to visit Gangotri is May-june & Sep-Nov. Barinath dham temple is at altitude of 10,170ft. best time to visit is May and june & Sep-Nov.places to visit here are Charan paduka, Vyas gufa, Mana village and Tapta kund.
The Culture
Chardham is a religious place of the Hindus. It is formally believed that this journey opens the gate of salvation by washing away all your sins. People says that these places are even mentioned in scriptures as of places where devotees could earn virtues of the pilgrimages. All four dhams is located at more than 3,000 m above sea level. Chardham consists of four pilgrimages in India. Chardham falls under the state of uttarakhand and belongs to Garhwal region. So generally Chardham is influenced by Garhwali culture presents a blend of native population and tradition of immigrants who settled in there. Where as the locals of Garhwal are related with many tribes who work hard to get their livings. The major religion followed by them is Hinduism and also there are Brahmins. languages spoken in Garhwal are Hindi,Garhwali, Kumaoni,Bhotia and Jaunsari. Festivals celebrated over here are Diwali, Holi, Makar Sakranti, Basant Panchami, Vijaydashmi, Harela, Bat Savitri, Local cuisine served in Garhwal are cereals, pulses, rice and seasonal fruits and vegetables while some of the local food are kafuli, fannah, baadi, ras, bhatt in churdkani, gulgula, kandali.
The Experience
Chardham travel is purely a spiritual tour to attain Moksha. In around every year around 2 lakh devotees visit these four dhams. It is a perfect trip of four pilgrimage sightings Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and kedarnath. This is such a charismatic experience which offers holy shrines in the lap of Himalayas it is so blissful and is totally worth it. This journey consists of of two hindu traditions namely Kedarnath and Badrinath and two goddess sites Yamunotri & Gangotri. Its basically the best way to explore uttarakhand . Everyone wants a spiritual experience once in their lifetime, it is exactly like you want to be millionaire without doing hard work. There is extensively stunning beauty around the Himalayan belt , dense forests, epic nature with large valleys covering the Chardham . Overall journey of Chardham yatra is amazing. You will se wonderful scenarios of Chardham temples for worshipping
The Highlights
- Surya Kund – it is pilgrimage spot in uttarakhand, many devotees visit Surya kund waterfall to pay tribute to the sun also it is believed that Goddess Parvati use to take bath under this waterfall.
- Saptrishi Kund - it is holy places considered by the Hindus also believed that the seven great sages called Rishi kashyap, Gautama, Atri, Vishwamitra, Vasistha, Bharadwaj, Jamadagni use to perform penance here.
- Harsil – it offers many adventurous treks and hiking and is nourished by Bhagirathi river .
- Jalmagna shivling – This rock is submerged under water and is attractive visitors spot of gangotri also lord shiva sat here for receiving the ganga in his matted locks.
- Gandhi sarovar – This trek is amazing and alluring through lush green grasses.
- Vasu ki Tal – the most thrilling trekking spot for trevellers. The crystal clear water from mountains drains into the lake and gives you amazing view.
- Tapt Kund – located outside Badrinath temple. devotees believes that it is important to take a dip before going for darshan of Badri vishal.