There are four holy shrines in Uttarakhand dedicated to Hindu Gods and holy rivers of India. The
four shrines are situated within the Garhwal Region. These are collectively referred as "Char
Dhaam of Uttarakhand" . Pilgrims from all over India and abroad visit the shrines as "Char
Dhaam Yatra". In Hindu religion, Char Dhaam Yatra holds has great importance and sanctity.
It is believed that every Hindu should undertake Char Dhaam Yatra at least once in a life time to
avail the blessings of gods adorning the shrines.
Yamunotri
The Shrine of Yamunotri at the source of river Yamuna. Atop is a flank of Bandar Poonch peak (3615
meters). The actual source, a frozen lake of ice and glacier (Champasar Glacier) located on the Kalind
Mountain at the height of 4421 m above sea level is about 1 km further up is not easily accessible.
Hence the shrine has been located on the foot of the hill. The Temple of divine mother Yamuna was
built by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal. The tiny Yamuna has icy cold water and its absolute
innocence and the infantile purity heightens that deep feeling of reverence, which Yamunotri has for the
devout. According to the legend ancient sage Asit Muni had his hermitage here. The trek to Yamunotri is
truly spectacular, dominated by a panorama of rugged peaks and dense forests.
The deity or Goddess Yamuna is made of black marble. The temple is dedicated to the river Yamuna,
who is represented in the form of a silver idol, bedecked with garlands.
Close to the temple are hot water springs gushing out from the mountain cavities. Suryakund is the most
important Kund. Near the Suryakund there is a shila called Divya Shila, which is worshipped before puja
is offered to the deity. Pilgrims prepare rice and potatoes to offer at the shrine by dipping them in these
hot water springs, tied in muslin cloth. Rice so cooked is taken back home as prasadam.
The pujaris and priests who perform in Yamunotri temple come from the village of Kharsali near
Jankichatti.
Gangotri
Gangotri is one of the origin sources of Holy River Ganga (Ganges), and one of the important Char Dham
pilgrimage in Hindu Religion. The main origin of the river is Gaumukh which is a glacier located 19 km
away from gangotri temple. Ganga river is the longest and most sacred river in world.
The Gangotri temple was built by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, in the 18th century and is
situated on the left bank of Bhagirathi river. The temple is nested amidst the beautiful surroundings of
deodars and pine trees. It lies close to the holy rock or the Bhagirath Shila where King Bhagirath had
worshiped Lord Shiva. The Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga.
The water from Gangotri is carried to offer to Lord Shiva. It is believed that this water has nectar in it and
will soothe the throat of Shiva who gulps the poison.
Kedarnath
There are more than 200 shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand itself, the
most important one is Kedarnath. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the
Kauravas in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own Kith and Kin and sought blessings
of Lord Shiva for redemption. He eluded them repeatedly and while fleeing took refuge at Kedarnath in
the form of a bafellow.
On being followed, the Lord dived into the ground, leaving his hump on the surface at Kedarnath. The
remaining portions of Lord Shiva appeared at four other places and are worshipped there as his
manifestations. The arms of the Lord appeared at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, the belly at
Madmaheshwar and his locks (hair) with head at Kalpeshwar. The Kedarnath and four above mentioned
shrines are treated as Panch Kedar (Panch means Five in Sanskrit).
The Temple at Kedarnath presents an imposing sight, standing in middle of a wide plateau surrounded
by lofty snow covered peaks. The temple was originally built in 8th century A.D. by Jagad Guru Adi
Shankaracharya and stands adjacent to site of an even earlier temple built by the Pandavas. The inner
walls of the assembly hall are decorated with figures of various deities and scenes from mythology.
Outside the temple door a large statue of the Nandi Bafellow stands as guard.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kedarnath temple has exquisite architecture Built of extremely large, heavy
and evenly cut grey slabs of stones, it evokes wonder as to how these heavy slabs were moved and
handled in the earlier centuries. The temple has a Garbha Griha for worship and a Mandap, apt for
assemblies of pilgrims and visitors. A conical rock formation inside the temple is worshipped as Lord
Shiva in his Sadashiva form.
Badrinath
The main entrance gate of Badarinath temple is colourful and imposing popularly known as Singhdwar.
The temple is approximately 50 feet tall with a small cupola on top, covered with a gold gilt roof. The
Badarinath temple is divided into three parts (1) The Garbha Griha or the sanctum sanctorum (2) The
Darshan Mandap where rituals are conducted and (3) The Sabha Mandap where pilgrims assemble.
At the Badarinath Mandir Gate, directly opposite the main Idol of Lord himself, is seated idol of Bird
Garud, vehicle / carrier of Lord Badarinarayan. Garud os seen is sitting position and in prayer with his
hands folded. The walls and pillars of the mandapa are covered with intricate carvings.
The Garbha Griha portion has its canopy covered with a sheet of gold and houses Lord Badari Narayan,
Kuber (God of wealth), Narad rishi, Udhava, Nar and Narayan. The complex has 15 idols. Especially
attractive is the one-metre high image of lord Badarinath, finely sculpted in black stone. According to
legend Shankara discovered a black stone image of Lord Badarinarayan made of Saligram stone in the
Alaknanda River. He originally enshrined it in a cave near the Tapt Kund hot springs. In the sixteenth
century, the King of Garhwal moved the murti to the present loction of the temple. It represents Lord
Vishnu seated in a meditative pose called Padmasan.
Darshan Mandap: Lord Badari Narayan is armed with Conch and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture
and two arms rested in Yogic Pose. Badarinarayan is seen under the Badari tree, flanked by Kuber and
Garuda, Narad, Narayan and Nar. As you look, standing to the right side of Badarinarayana is Uddhava.
To the far right side are Nara and Narayana. Narada Muni is kneeling in front on the right side and is
difficult to see. On the left side are Kubera-the god of wealth, and a silver Ganesh. Garuda is kneeling in
front, to the left of Badarinarayana..
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