Which Temples are Included in The Journey of Chardham Yatra?
Uttrakhand is considered the abode of the gods. So to pay obeisance to their beloved gods, people visit Uttarakhand all year round for the Chardham yatra. This Chardham yatra, or pilgrimage, is mainly a tour of four holy sites, which include Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. This ancient trail of four holy sites prevails throughout the Himalayas. The sacred temples and breathtaking landscape prompt every devotee to form a connection with the most revered pilgrimage and start the venture of spiritual journey for divine experience.
In this blog, you will come along with most sacred places of Chardham yatra that are fully imbibed with history and mythological phenomena. Each place holds its own significance for Hindus around the world. So be ready to embrace this indelible experience of Chardham. Make your journey unforgettable.
Barkot
Nestled in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, Barkot is situated at a height of 4003 ft. This holy place is considered one of the four main gateways to the chardham, that is Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri. According to the said notion, it is to be believed that when the brother of Lord Krishna Balarama visited the Barkot, he was so enchanted with the beauty of this scenic place and insinuated to build a fort here. Since then, it is considered the most sacred place to visit in Chardham yatra. Moreover, this place becomes part of history because Sage Vyasa wrote the Mahabharata here.
Yamunotri
The Yamunotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is the starting point of the Chardham Yatra. This temple is situated at an altitude of 3293 m, which makes it a major tourist attraction. What makes this place different and idyllic is that there is an idol of the goddess made of black marble, which is said to have been installed by Sage Asit Muni. The water of the Yamunotri is considered as a potion for many diseases. As Yamunotri is a source of the river Yamuna, it is considered the most revered river in Hinduism, where devotees pay their oblations to the goddess while taking a dip in her holy waters.
Uttarkashi
Uttarkashi, the place of the ashram and temple, is the most sacred place to visit in the Chardham yatra. Also, the Vishwanath temple is situated in Uttarkashi and is said to be dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Gangotri
Situated at an altitude of 3,048 m, Gangotri is located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. It is the origin source of River Bhagirathi, now popularly known as Ganga, and reaches out to Devprayag. It is a sacred temple for Goddess Ganga, for which Hindus all over the world hold great reverence. If you wish to discern the holy place of Gangotri, consider going between May and October, when the weather is considered to be more congenial.
Guptkashi
Guptkashi town is situated in the Uttrakhand district of Chamoli. Falls in the middle of Badrinath and Kedarnath. According to mythological anecdotes, it is to be believed that the name Guptkashi means “Hidden Benares”, which was known as Kashipuri back then. People still speak highly of the ancient trail that connects to the story of when Pandavas ventured on their expedition of clandestine exile. They visited the place and decided to stay for a longer period in Guptkashi. According to legend, this place holds more significance because it is said that when Vishwamitra carved out the city of Benares (Varanasi), Kashipuri became hidden, or gupta. The place of Guptkashi holds more credence and attraction for the temple of Ardhanarishvara (a form of Shiva) and for the Vishwanath temple.
Kedarnath
Kedarnath temple is situated in the beautiful district of Rudraprayag and is the most visited place of the Chardham yatra. The temple is dedicated to Lord Kedar, which is another name for Lord Shiva. The place holds sanctity for many reasons First, it is said that the Nara Narayana, incarnations of Vishnu, did severe penance for many years. Second, the great Pandavas visited this place during their Agyatvas. Situated at a height of 3,583 m above sea level, this beautiful place is considered to be one of the highest Shiva temples in the world.
Badrinath
Badrinath is sacred and dedicated to Lord Vishnu. According to the legends, this temple is said to have been built by Adishankracharya in the 9th century CE. The Badrinath temple is one of the four holy sites of the Chardham yatra, and devotees also call it Badrinarayan.
Ready to plan your adventure to these holy places?
Expeditions to these four holy pilgrimages of Chardham Yatra bring peace to every devotee. This pilgrimage becomes an integral part of every devotee because it brings the religious sanctity rooted in every Hindu all over the world. Want to revitalize your soul? Get ready to experience the profound adventure of divinity and spiritual journey with us (Heli Darshan). Our Chardham Yatra by helicopter gives you the opportunity to get the convenience you need to begin your spiritual journey. So don’t squander your time and reach out to us for further enlightenment required to fill your journey with spiritual enthusiasm.