CHARDHAM YATRA 2023
Chardham Yatra encompasses the most sacred temples situated in Uttarakhand, holding immense significance for Hindus. Undertaking this pilgrimage is believed to be a pathway towards attaining Moksh (liberation), making it a cherished aspiration for every Hindu to undertake at least once in their lifetime. The Chardham consists primarily of four temples: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, each located in different districts of Uttarakhand. These temples are accompanied by fascinating legends. For example, the Pandavas constructed the five Kedars in ancient times while in search of Lord Shiva, seeking his blessings for Moksh after their victory over the Kauravas. Badrinath, established by Adi Yogi Shankaracharya in ancient times, is revered as the divine abode of Lord Vishnu. Each year, millions of devotees embark on the Chardham Yatra to witness the enchanting beauty and spiritual aura of these sacred places.
Origin of Salient Rivers
Each Dham is associated with the origin of four rivers: Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Mandakini, and Alaknanda. Gangotri marks the source of the Bhagirathi River, which originates from the Gangotri Glacier. Yamunotri is the place where the Yamuna River originates from the Banderpoonch Glacier. Kedarnath is the origin site of the Mandakini River, which flows from the Chorabari Glacier. Lastly, Badrinath is the starting point of the Alaknanda River, which emerges from the Sathopanth Glacier. As a result, each Dham possesses its own distinct beauty and significance.
5 Prayag
The points where the two rivers meet are referred to as Prayag. There are five such significant locations.. There are 5 Prayag which are Vishnuprayag, Nandprayag, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag
1.Vishnu Praya
– The meeting point of the river Alaknanda and Dhauliganga is the location of Vishnu Kund, an ancient temple. It is believed that Sage Narad worshipped Lord Vishnu at this sacred place.
2.Nand Prayag
– It is the place where the river Alaknanda and Nandakini meets.
3.Karn Prayag
The meeting point of the rivers Alaknanda and Pindar is believed to be the spot where Karna, a prominent character from the Mahabharata, meditated for numerous years.
His purpose was to obtain the invincible shield that granted him immense strength and made him an unparalleled warrior on the battlefield.
4.Rudraprayag
– It is the place where the river Alaknanda and Mandakini meets and the cardinal Hindu temples of Rudraprayag are the Jagdamba temple and Shiva temple.
5.Devprayag
– It is the place where the river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meets and when it meets it takes the name Ganga. It is believed that Lord Rama and his father King Dasharath (from the epic Ramayana) performed penance here.
Places to visit during Chardham Yatra
1.Harshil
– is famous for the unique beauty of its grasslands and greenery, and it is located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
2.Gantang Gali
– It is one of the most thrilling and exciting treks, is located on the Indo-China Border distance of 90km from Uttarakashi. It is a wood-lined stairway in the mountains.
3.Triyuginarayan Temple
– is a Hindu temple located in the Rudraprayag district.
This ancient temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and is renowned for being the sacred site where the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati took place.
4.Chopta
– It is a popular hill station of snow-capped mountains and adventure activities such as trekking, skiing, etc. It is also famous for the Bugyals (high-altitude alpine grassland) and it is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
5.Auli
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It is a picturesque winter destination known for its pristine white landscapes. Renowned for its ski resorts, ski slopes, and annual ski events, it attracts enthusiasts from around the world during the winter season.
. It is a hill station located in the Chamoli district. Every year lakhs of people visit Auli for exploring the beauty and for enjoying the snowfall as the density of snowfall in Auli is more.
6.Valley of Flower
– is a National park that is on 8750 hectares (33.8 sq mi) and is famous for its meadows of rare alpine flowers and the variety of flora. It is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and is 25km far from Badrinath. The valley of flowers is having 500+ variety of species of plants. The best time to visit the valley of Flowers is between July and mid-August is the time when it is full of bloom. The valley is open from June to October.
7.Hemkund Sahib
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Formally known as Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib, this site holds immense reverence as a pilgrimage destination for the Sikh community.
Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth guru of the Sikhs, is believed to have dedicated ten years to meditation at this revered location. Situated at an elevation of 4329 meters above sea level, it stands as the highest Gurudwara within the Sikh Community. To reach Hemkund Sahib, pilgrims must undertake a challenging 6-kilometer uphill trek. The Gurudwara is accessible to visitors for a limited period of four months, specifically from June to October, due to the substantial snowfall that necessitates its closure for the remaining eight months.
8.Mana Gao
– It is the last Indian village which is located on Indo-China Border and it is in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and it is 5 km far from the Badrinath Temple.
9.Vasudhara Fall
– It is one of the most alluring places which are located near Mana Gao in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is believed that water does not touch sinners and the waterfall stops falling after contact with an offender.
Panch Kedar
The concept of Panch Kedar connects to the Pandavas from the epic Mahabharata. According to the belief, after the Pandavas achieved victory and defeated their cousins, the Kauravas, Sage Vyas Rishi advised them that only Lord Shiva had the power to grant forgiveness for their act of killing their own kin.
Thus, the Pandavas embarked on a quest to find Lord Shiva. However, Lord Shiva, who was already aware of their guilt, disguised himself as a bull and concealed his true identity.
The Pandavas pursued the bull-shaped Shiva, with Bheema realizing the deity’s presence. Bheema attempted to seize the bull from its rear, but they could only grasp its tail. Suddenly, the bull-shaped Shiva vanished into the earth, only to resurface in various locations. The hump emerged in Kedarnath, arms materialized in Tungnath, the face appeared in Rudranath, the navel and stomach manifested in Madhyamaheshwar, and the hair came into view in Kalpeshwar.
. Pandavas built the five temples in these five places and worshipped Lord Shiva and freed from their sins.
The 5 Kedar are:-
1.Kedarnath Temple
– It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand and located at an altitude of 3583m (11755 ft). For reaching the temple you have to the uphill trek of 14km from Gaurikund.
2.Tungnath Temple
– It is one of the highest Shiva Temples in the world and 2nd panch kedar.
- It is situated in the Rudraprayag District of Uttarakhand.
- It is located at an altitude of 3690m (12106 ft) from sea level.
- It is another place to visit after Tungnath that is Chandrashila, which is 2 km above the Tungnath Temple.
3.Rudranath Temple
Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, this temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and is the third among the Panch Kedar temples. Situated at an elevation of 3600m (11811 ft), visiting this holy destination requires a strenuous uphill trek covering a distance of about 24km.
4.Madmeshwar Temple
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Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the 4th of the Panch Kedar temples is located in Gaundhar Village of Rudraprayag District.. It is located at an elevation of 3497m (11473.1 ft) from sea level. In this temple, Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a navel-shaped lingum.
5.Kalpeshwar Temple
– It is the 5th in panch kedar and it is located at an altitude of 2200m (7217.8 ft) in the Urgam valley in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. For reaching the temple you have to trek 12km.
When Chardham is open for Pilgrims
Nestled amidst mountains, these temples experience temporary closures for approximately six months, usually from November to April, due to heavy snowfall. However, in April on Akshay Tritya, these temples open their doors to all pilgrims for a six-month period, extending from May to the first week of November. W
You can start your Chardham Yatra from May onwards, but it’s important to note that May and June experience significant crowds due to vacation time.
For a more serene experience, the best time to visit Chardham is in September and October. During this period, you can savor the beauty of snow-capped mountains, and the climate is generally favorable.
In During the months of July and August, heavy rainfall occurs, and the roads may sustain damage. The rainy season may pose certain challenges and difficulties during this period.
Get ready to create lifelong memories as you explore the wonders of Uttarakhand with the reliable Chardham yatra packages provided by Wayflix Travels.