Chardham
Charm Dham Yatra Uttaranchal includes Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. The region is referred as the land of the Gods in the ancient Puranas. Scores of pilgrims visit the shrines by trekking arduously along the mountain paths, all for a communion with the divine. Hindu pilgrims from around the world believe that they must visit the Dhams at least once in their lifetime for the purification of their souls.
Yamunotri
Yamunotri Temple is the main temple is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. Maharani Guleria of Jaipur built the present temple in the late nineteenth century. Once destroyed by an earthquake, it has been rebuilt. The temple is approachable by road. However, the route is little away from the normal pilgrimage route. Passing through many lakes like Dodital , Ruinsara Lake and Yamunotri Pass, the trek to Yamunotri becomes an adventure pilgrimage. The trek route passes through many high elevation meadows and passes offering excellent view of Swargarohini group of mountains.
Gangotri
Gangotri, the source of the river Ganges and seat of the goddess Ganga, is one of the four sites in the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. The river is called Bhagirathi at the source and acquires the name Ganga from Devprayag onwards where it meets Alaknanda. The origin of the holy river is at Gaumukh, which is further 18 km trek along the Gangotri glacier.
Kedarnath
According to legend, Lord Shiva wished to elude the Pandavas, who had come to seek penitence for having killed their kin in the battle of Kurukshetra. He took refuge in Kedarnath in the form of a bull. Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers, found Shiva amongst a herd of cattle. Having identified the meanest and most arrogant of the herd as Shiva, Bhima is said to have grabbed him by the hindquarters. What remains at the shrine in Kedarnath is the rear end of the bull, with the rest of its body scattered throughout the Garhwal. Shiva dived into the ground leaving behind him a hump on the surface. This conical protrusion is worshipped as the idol. It is the main site of the Panch Kedar temples.
Badrinath Temple
On the right bank of Alaknanda lies the sacred spot perched at an altitude of 3,133 meters above the sea level. Encircled by a beautiful valley, the 15 mts. high temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is built in the form of a cone with a small cup of a ilt bull and spire. Built by adi guru Shankaracharya the philosopher-saint of the 8th century, the temple has been renovated several times due to damage by avalanches. Its colourful 'singh dwara' or the main entrance gate give it a new, modern look.
