Every Hindu Devotee in search of spiritual connection would enjoy a hallowed journey of Char Dham. The Char Dham Yatra will provide you with unique life experiences.
The Char Dham Yatra is thought to be about Kedarnath, Yamunotri, Badrinath, and Gangotri. However, a holy pilgrimage to these sites is known as Chota Char Dham, which is tucked in the Himalayan foothills and considered sacred by Hindus.
Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameshwaram are the four abodes of Bada Char Dham, and they are located in the four directions of the country. It is considered that everyone should participate in the Char Dham Yatra at least once in their lives in order to receive a blessing from God.
The Chota Char Dham is also known as the Char Dham of Uttarakhand, whereas the Bada Char Dham is a trip or visit to the four shrines in the four directions of the country. Continue reading if you want to learn more about the Char Dham Yatra.
You will learn about the name and locations of the Char Dham Yatra, as well as its significance, history, and opening and closing door timings.
Here are the cities of the Badi Char Dham Yatra
Badrinath
One of India’s Char Dham pilgrimage sites, along with the Chota Char Dham, is Badrinath. It sits on the banks of the Alaknanda River at an average elevation of 3,300 meters (10827 ft).
It is called after the Badrinath temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is the preserver. Because of its typical Garhwali timber architecture, this holy place is particularly appealing to Hindu pilgrims.
Beauty of Badrinath
Located in Uttarakhand’s Badrinath region between the Nar and Narayan mountain ranges, it’s a popular tourist attraction for Indians of all ages. Neelkanth Mountain is a beautiful backdrop for this temple, which always enthrals visitors with its unequalled awe.
When it comes to actual exploration, this location is a must-visit for anybody interested in mythology and folklore. Badrinath has a wide variety of attractions that are worth discovering for a unique vacation experience.
Lord Vishnu is said to have devised a way to transport Shiva from Badrinath to Kedarnath, where he is worshipped. According to another mythology, when Ganga descended to Earth, one of her channels, Alakananda, dropped on Kedarnath, giving Badrinath its unsurpassed splendour.
History
According to Hindu tradition, Nar-Narayan, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, performed Tapasya at Badrinath, revealing the location of the holy city. Berries, the Sanskrit word for “Badri” at the time, refers to the abundance of berry trees that once covered this area.
Badrika-Van was given its name because of its abundance of Berries trees. Nar-Narayan performed Tapasya at the Badrinath temple, where a big berry tree shielded him from the rain and the sun.
Lord Narayan is said to have been saved by Mata Lakshmi’s transformation into a tree by the locals. Narayana promised that after the Tapasya was completed, people would always put her name ahead of his.
Thus, we refer to Lakshmi-Narayan as a whole. The Satya Yuga is considered the first Dham because of this. Both the Chota Char Dham Yatra and the Bada Char Dham Yatra have it available. Badrinath means “Lord of the Berry Forest” in Hinduism.
Why one should Visit
The sacred Alaknanda River has its source in Badrinath. This celestial sanctuary has typical Garhwali wooden architecture, which adds to its allure. One of the primary attractions of Badrinath Temple is a 3.3 ft tall black stone statue of Lord Badrinarayan at the temple’s entrance (Saligram stone).
Vishnu is shown in the dual forms of Nara and Narayan in the artwork.
Sacred literature such as the Bhagavata Purana, Skanda Purana, and Bhagvat Geeta reference this shrine.
From a distance of the top, you can see the Neelkantha, which is named after Lord Shiva, and he was sitting in meditation. The Garhwal Queen is another name for it. The first beam of sunlight falls on Neelkanth in the valley.
A vacation to Badrinath also radiates spirituality through nature, with places like Charanpaduka, Vasudhara Falls, Bheem Pul, and Brahma Kapal providing unrivalled experiences.
Badrinath is full of natural wonders, beauty, and peace that will win your heart, ease your soul, and delight your senses.
Dwarka
Dwarka is the capital city of Lord Krishna’s realm, and it is located on the western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat. Dwarka, also known as Devbhoomi Dwarka, is the only city in the Hindu religion that is a component of both the Char Dham (four major holy places) and the Sapta Puris (seven sacred towns).
Dwarka was once a part of Krishna’s ancient kingdom, and the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The beach and seashores are also popular tourist destinations.
According to legend, the city was once engulfed by the sea, and subsequent excavations have revealed that there was once a city here. Dwarka is derived from the words dwar, which means “door,” and ka, which means “moksha,” which means “salvation.”
The Land of Spirituality
Dwarka is well-known as Lord Krishna’s city, with its ancient temples and gorgeous beaches. This temple village is located on the banks of the Gomti River in Gujarat, India’s westernmost state. It is one of India’s most important religious locations.
This holy location is drenched in mysticism as one of the hallowed shrines in the Bada Char Dham Circuit. Thousands of devotees travel from all over the world to Dwarka to participate in spiritual worship. The combination of reality and myth will undoubtedly leave you feeling spiritually uplifted. For devotees, the city’s spiritual, historical, and mythological past offers fascinating stories and attractions.
History
Dwarka has a tremendous historical significance in India. It was previously known as Swaravati or Kushasthali, and it was a large empire located on the Saurashtra coast.
Lord Krishna is claimed to have departed Mathura after defeating Kansa in approximately 1500 BC and founded the golden city of Dwarka on the banks of the River Gomati. It is also said that after Lord Krishna’s death, a massive flood swept into the sea, causing the city to sink beneath the waves.
According to archaeologists and historians, Dwarka has sunk six times into the sea, and the current Dwarka is the seventh such city to be founded in the area.
Why one should Visit
Everyone is welcome in Lord Krishna’s city, whether they are pilgrims, adventurers, or peace seekers. A trip to Dwarka for the Char Dham yatra comprises a fascinating combination of sights such as mesmerising beaches, small pathways crisscrossing colourful markets, sacred lakes, and the gorgeous Gujarat coastline.
You can visit the island of Beyt Dwarka, which is thought to be the centre of numerous events surrounding Lord Krishna’s life. Prepare to be amazed by an ancient architectural marvel, for we are talking about Dwarkadhish Temple, one of the country’s most revered monuments.
The Vajranabha is thought to have built this five-story temple (The great-grandson of Lord Krishna). If you enjoy watching birds, you can spend some time at the beach watching gorgeous winged creatures such as Demoiselle Cranes and other migratory birds.
Take a journey to Dunny Point, a Dwarka hidden gem where the wealth of marine species and corals along the Gujarat coast will fascinate you.
Puri
Puri, popularly known as Jagannath Puri, is one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimage sites. It is located in the state of Odisha. Puri is known for the Jagannath temple and is thought to be Lord Vishnu’s final resting place. As a result, Hindus see it as a very important place of worship.
Puri, along with Konark and Bhubaneshwar, forms the golden triangle of Odisha. It is a major repository of Indian art and architecture, with the Shree Jagannath Puri Temple serving as the town’s focal point.
The Jagannath Puri temple, one of Hinduism’s four dharms (most important pilgrimages), was built in the 11th century and is the starting place for the legendary Rath Yatra, from whence the English word ‘juggernaut’ was derived. The town and the temple are closed to non-Hindus during the Rath Yatra, which takes place in July. Make sure you lean against the Shani temple, look up at the top, and sample the food. For a little charge, visitors can enter the sanctum and touch the deities in the main temple.
Puri is also home to the Govardhana matha, one of Adi Shankaracharya’s four cardinal institutions (the others are in Sringeri, Dwarka, and Jyotirmath). Since ancient times, it has served as a vital link between Eastern and Southern India.
The Enchanting City of Puri
It is one of Odisha’s most popular and sacred cities. The worship of Jagganath, one of Lord Krishna’s many names, is highly known in this city.
It is well-known for being the sole holy spot where the most powerful goddesses, such as Lakshmi, Durga, Sati, Parvati, and Shakti, can be found. The chariot festival, also known as the Rath yatra, is held at Puri.
This Chariot Procession will travel 3 kilometres from the famous Jagannath Temple to Shri Gundicha Temple. Govardhan Matha, one of the four mathas discovered by Adi Shankaracharya in India’s four directions, is a remarkable feature that adds to Puri’s allure.
History
Puri was not the name of this holy location in the past. According to a Chinese pilgrim, it was Charitra, although there is room for dispute and debate when it comes to interpretation.
The place became known as Purushottam Kshetra or Purushottam Puri when Chodaganga Deva built the temple of Purusottama Jagannath with the principal idol Lord Krishna as Jagannath with his Brother and Sister.
Puri became the common name once the name was reduced. Puri has undergone significant transformations from the British through the Mughal era. The Rath Yatra is one of the most ancient and packed chariot processions in honour of Jagganath.
Why one should Visit
Puri is a wonderful place to reconnect with nature while exploring old temples that evoke happy sensations. This holy location is a gift for everyone, from wandering visitors to nature enthusiasts, offering many possibilities to discover the beauty, art, and natural wonders.
You can have a picnic with your family on Puri’s most popular beaches, Swargadwar and Puri Beach, where you can unwind and relax.
At Chilka Lake, take in the spectacular sunrise and sunset, as well as birding. Jagannath Temple is one of the most beautiful temples in the city, and after seeing it, you may spend your time at Puri Beach, which offers wonderful food and a breezy shoreline.
You may learn about Odisha’s tradition and culture by visiting Raghuraj Artist Village. See palm leaf engravings, stone and wood carvings, Tussar paintings, and wooden masks, among other crafts.
Exploring Bhubaneswar will undoubtedly provide you with unforgettable moments that you will treasure for the rest of your life. Konark is the best spot to visit if you want to get up close and personal with architectural marvels.
Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is a peaceful and pristine hamlet in Tamil Nadu that is part of the picturesque Pamban Island. The famed Pamban waterway connects the town to the rest of the country. Rameshwaram is 1,403 kilometres away from Mannar Island in Sri Lanka.
Rameshwaram is recognised as one of Hinduism’s holiest sites and is a must-see on the Char Dham Yatra or holy pilgrimage.
The Legendary City of Rameshwaram
Rameshwaram is one of India’s holiest cities, drawing Lord Shiva devotees from all over the world to see the Jyotirlinga installed at the Ramanathaswamy Temple.
The town, which is located in the Ramanathapuram district, is a part of Pamban Island and is also known as Rameshwaram Island because of the legendary temple, which is built in the outstanding Dravidian style of architecture.
Pamban Bridge on Pamban Channel in the Gulf of Mannar connects the island to the Indian mainland, which is located near the tip of the Indian peninsula.
History
For anyone who believes in Hinduism, Lord Shiva, or Lord Vishnu, Rameshwaram Temple is the town’s main attraction. Rameshwaram is thought to be the starting point for Lord Rama’s quest to reclaim his bride Sita from Lanka’s monarch, Ravana.
Lord Rama was aided by the ‘Vaanar Sena,’ which was an army of legendary monkey-humans led by Hanumana, Lord Rama’s most ardent disciple.
As penance for Brahmahatya, Rama and Sita are reported to have installed Shiva Lingam to worship Lord Shiva (killing of Brahmana). Ravana was a devout disciple of Lord Shiva as well. It is thought that the Shiva Lingam in the Rameshwaram temple, which was built in the 12th century, is the same.
Why one should visit
It’s all about basking in holy feelings and mind-blowing wonders when you visit Rameshwaram. The Panch-Mukhi Hanuman Temple is the main attraction of Rameshwaram. Lord Hanuman revealed the five faces of Lord Hanuman, Lord Adivaraha, Lord Narasimha, Lord Hayagriva, and Lord Garuda in this temple.
The most fascinating aspect of this temple is that you can see floating stones being utilised to construct a makeshift Sethu Bandhanam before arriving in Lanka. Travellers from all across the country come to see the beauty of 17th-century architecture.
You can go to Jada Thirtham since it is historically significant. It is said that after killing Ravana, Rama worshipped Shiva Linga here, and the huge bird Jatayu died while attempting to save Goddess Sita from Ravana.
Explore the Ram Setu Bridge, a historic bridge that connects the Indian island of Rameshwaram to the Sri Lankan shore. Rameshwaram isn’t just about holy sites; it also has a Bird Sanctuary and sun-drenched beaches to offer.