INTRODUCTION:
Located in the ecosystem of Uttaranchal, Char dham is a popular center for Hindu devotees. It means the four holy places. Located between the Himalayan range and Garhwal are the four most sacred sites of Hindu pilgrims – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, collectively known as Chardham. The holy river Ganges flows through four dams, making each dam even more sacred.
The popular attractions of Chardham are:
Yamunotri, the seat of the goddess Yamuna, is the first stop for the Chardham yatra. It is where the Yamuna River originates.Located at an altitude of 3293 meters above sea level, Yamunotri is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal. The tourist attraction at Yamunotri is the Yamunotri temple, dedicated to the goddess Yamuna. The Pilgrims worship the Divya Shilla, the pillar of rock, before entering the temple of Yamunotri. Surya Kund, a hot spring with temperatures of up to 190 ° F, is a popular destination for tourists. Janki Chatti is one of the most popular hot springs.
Kharsali is famous for its three-story Shiva temple, carved in stone. Dedicated to Lord Someshwar. Saptarishi Kund is a natural lake and the site of the beauty of Yamunotri. It is considered to be the source of the Yamuna River.
History
Yamuna Goddess is believed to be the daughter of Langa and the twin sister of Yama (god of death). It is said that the wise Asit Muni lived here and bathed in Ganga and Yamuna. At his age, when he could not go to Gangotri, the Ganga stream began to flow through the smoke of Yamuna.
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Gangotri
Gangotri is the seat of the goddess Ganga. It is located at an altitude of 3048 meters above sea level in the Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal. A temple honoring the goddess Ganga exists. Built by Amar Bahadur Thapa, Governor of Gorkha. The most attractive place in Gangotri is Jalamagna Shivling, a natural rock Shivling seen only in winter. This is where Lord Shiva got Ganga with his locks to minimize the impact of his fall. The Ganges became known as the Bhagirathi at this time. Another attraction is the Gaumukh glacier. It is the origin of the Ganges lying at an altitude of 12,000 feet [4200 m] above sea level. Visitors can enjoy a walk on Nandanvan. This Trekking 6 km trail offers an amazing view of Shivling. Bhairon Valley is famous for its temple, dedicated to Bhairavnath.
History
King Sagar has done the Ashwamedha Yagna and sent 60,000 of his sons and a horse. The horse was lost; following the horse in Sage Kapila’s ashram, 60,000 sons attacked the ashram and disturbed the wise man who pondered deeply. In a fit of rage, Kapila opened his fiery eyes, turning all 60,000 of his sons to ashes. Later, at Kapila’s advice, Anshuman (Sagar’s grandson) began praying to the goddess Ganga, asking her to come down to the earth to purify the ashes of her relatives and save them. Anshuman has failed in his goal; it was his grandson Bhagirath whose strong meditation caused Ganga to descend to earth. King Shiva bound the Ganga and distributed its water in numerous streams to save the earth from its enormous power.
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Kedarnath
Kedarnath in the Uttarkashi district of Uttaranchal is the source of the Mandakini River. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, Kedarnath is a favorite among tourists. The 1,000-year-old Kedarnath Temple, built by the Pandavas, is one of the architectural monuments of Kedarnath. The temple consists of a circular rock, the ‘Garbha Griha’ of worship and a meeting hall for pilgrims and pilgrims. The life-giving statue of Nandi’s bull stands as a guard outside the temple. Lying behind the temple is the peak of Kedar Dome and the Samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya. There is a Bhairavnath temple, dedicated to Lord Bhairav. Chorabari Tal Lake or Gandhi Sarovar is located on the banks of the Mandakini River.
History
The Pandavas wanted King Shiva to be freed from the sins they had committed on the battlefield of the Mahabharata. Different parts of the Lord came from different parts – the hump in Kedarnath, the arms in Tunganath, the navel in Madhya-Maheshwar, the face in Rudranath and the hair appeared in Kalpeshwar. . The Pandavas found temples built in each of these five areas.
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Badrinath
The village got its name from the Badrinath temple. It is located in the Chamoli district of Uttaranchal. The Badrinath Temple, built by Adi Guru Shankaracharya, is a popular tourist attraction. They entered the temple after taking a sacred dip from Tapt Kund, Narad Kund and Surya Kund. Alka Puri, the source of the Alakananda River, is a major tourist destination. Other popular attractions of Badrinath are Satopath, Panch Prayag and Panch Badri.
History
As one of the legends, King Vishnu’s self-indulgent life-style was criticized by a sage, after which Vishnu meditated as an act of remorse. The goddess Laxmi (his wife) became a berry tree to protect her from the sun and other elements of nature. Vishnu persuaded Shiva to leave the place and proved himself.
