The term “Char Dham” refers to the four sacred pilgrimage sites in Hinduism located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. These sites are considered highly auspicious and are believed to provide spiritual liberation (moksha) to devotees who visit them.
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Badrinath: Situated in the Chamoli district, Badrinath is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple here is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu and is believed to have been established by Adi Shankaracharya.
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Kedarnath: Located in the Rudraprayag district, Kedarnath is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is situated near the source of the Mandakini River.
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Gangotri: Positioned in the Uttarkashi district, Gangotri is the source of the sacred river Ganges. The temple here is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and is one of the important pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
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Yamunotri: Situated in the Uttarkashi district, Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River. The temple here is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, and the hot springs near the temple are also a major attraction.
Visiting all four of these pilgrimage sites, particularly in a single journey, is considered a highly sacred and spiritually rewarding endeavor for Hindus. It is believed that undertaking this pilgrimage helps cleanse one’s soul and leads to spiritual enlightenment. The Char Dham Yatra typically takes place during the summer months when the weather is more favorable for travel to these remote locations.