Char-Dham

Kedarnath

State

Kedarnath, located in the Himalayan mountain ranges, is part of the 'Char Dham", or one of the four holy places a devout Hindu visits during his lifetime. The Kedar shrine is among the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fooboo/2802377976/in/photostream

History

Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva the protector and the destroyer. Shiva, is considered the embodiment of all passions-love, hatred, fear, death and mysticism which are expressed through his various forms.

According to legend, the place came into being during the period when the five Pandavas brothers were asked to seek Shiva's blessings purging them of the sin of killing their cousins. Lord Shiva unwilling to give darshans to the Pandavas frled Kashi to live incognito in Guptkashi, where eventually he was detected by the Pandavas. While fleeing Shiva took refuge at Kedarnath in the form of a bull and started to plunge underground when he was spotted by the Pandavas. He dived into the ground, leaving behind his hump on the surface. No wonder the natural rock formation that is worshipped here resembles the hump of a bull. Thus Shiva pleased with the determination of the Pandavas, exonerated them from their sin, gave them darshan & bestowed upon them the opportunity to worship his hump.

The other four places where Shiva is worshipped take their appearance from different parts of his body -the naval at Madmaheshwar, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and the matted hair at Kalpeshwar. The latter four along with Kedarnath are known as the Panch Kedars.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 239 km from Kedarnath. Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is a domestic airport located at about 20 km away from city center of Dehradun. Taxi cabs are available from Dehradun airport to Kedarnath, which cost about Rs 3,500. The airport operates daily flights to Delhi. Nearest International airport is Delhi.

Rail: Nearest railhead at Rishikesh, 221 km away from Kedarnath. Prepaid taxi services are available in the railway station which charge about Rs 3,000. One has to travel 207 km by road and the rest 14 km by foot to reach Kedarnath.

Road: Kedarnath is well connected through road. The National Highway from Delhi to Mana (538 km) is accessible throughout the year. Kedarnath can be accessed by foot from GauriKund. Gaurikund is connected by state buses to Rishikesh, Dehradun, Kotdwara, Haridwar and other hill stations of Kumaon and Garhwal Hills. The bus charges are not fixed. It will vary depending on season.

Shopping

Kedarnath is the abode of Lord Shiva according to Hindu mythology. From decades sages and mystics have traveled to Kedarnath in search of salvation. One of the major pilgrimage sites for Hindus, it is a town which has temples all over and there are shops beside and around these temples. If you are planning for Shopping in Kedarnath, then drop into these shops in Kedarnath.

There are not too many items for shopping in Kedarnath. For souvenirs you can visit the small shops in Kedarnath which sell portraits and photographs of the Kedarnath and Badrinath Temple or of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Besides these photographs or framed pictures of temples you can also get Rudraksh Malas made from Rudraksh, an essential fruit which is quite important to the Hindus. Besides these, the shops in Kedarnath also sell crystals, saligrams, herbs, Shilajit, natural vitalizers, precious stones and tulsi beads.

Moreover if you are going for shopping in Kedarnath do not miss the ornamental brass work. Beautifully embellished these brass items can be excellent souvenirs. The shops of Kedarnath in Uttaranchal also sell woolens and beautiful and intricately designed local handicrafts.

Accommodation

Kedarnath is one of the holiest places of worship for the Hindus and also a chief destination of pilgrimage. There are various options for travelers to accommodate themselves on their way to Kedarnath.

District
Uttarkashi
STD Code
01374
Termperature
Summer 15 to 30°C, Winter 0 to 24°C
Best time to visit
May to October

Gangotri

State

Gangotri is a Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi on the Greater Himalayan Range. It is the origin of the sacred river Ganges near the Indo-Tibetan border, attracts tourists in huge numbers every season. The Shrine of Gangotri opens during the last week of April or the first week of May, on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.

History

According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Ganga took the form of a river to absolve the sins of King Bhagiratha's predecessors, following his severe penance of several centuries.

The picturesque pilgrimage in the hinterlands of the Himalayas is the most sacred spot where Ganga, the stream of life, touched earth for the first time.

According to mythology, Goddess Ganga, the daughter of heaven, manifested herself in the form a river to absolve the sins of king Bhagirath's predecessors, following his severe penance of 5500 years. Lord Shiva received into his matted locks to minimize the impact of her fall. The river itself begins at Gangotri which literally means Ganga Uttari or Ganga descending. She came to be called Bhagirathi at her legendary source.

According to mythology King Sagar after slaying the demons on earth staged an Aswamedh Yagna to proclaim his supremacy. The King's 60,000 sons born of Queen Sumati and one son Asamanjas of Queen Kesani were to accompany the horse. Lord Indra fearing loss of his supremacy stole the horse and tied it to the ashram of ancient sage Kapil who was then deep into meditation. On their search for horse, the 60,000 sons stormed the ashram of Kapil and just before the attack on him the sage opened his eyes and reduced all the 60,000 sons of King Sagar except Asamanjas to ashes. King Sagar's grandson Anshuman was successful in recovering the horse from Kapil and was told that those 60,000 burnt will attain heavenly adobe if Ganga is brought down from heaven & their ashes were sleaned by its water. Then the great task of bringing Ganga to earth started. Anshuman failed and so did his son Dilip but his grandson Bhagirath succeeded.

The intense meditation made Ganga to descend from heaven and in order that the earth is not flooded, it remained suspended in the matted locks of Lord Shiva's hair. Shiva pleased with King Bhagirath, released Ganga in seven streams - the most sacred streams came to be known as Bhagirathi (started from Gangotri). King Sagar's 60,000 sons' ashes were touched with Ganga water and thus they were bestowed with eternal rest in heaven.

According to legends, Lord Shiva rewarded King Bhagirath after his penance and Ganga came down to earth. However, due to her pride, and the fact that the earth would be devastated if Ganga came down in her full force, Lord Shiva caught her in his hairs. It was then proclaimed that Goddess Uma or Parvati, would bathe in the Ganges daily and only then would she descend on the earth. The sacred stone near the temple denotes the place where Ganga first came down to earth.

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is a domestic airport located at about 226 km away from city center. Nearest International airport is Delhi, which is about 513 km away.

By Rail: Rishikesh is the nearest railway station, which is about 250 km away.

By Road: Gangotri is well connected by state owned bus services. Many buses are available from Gangotri to Uttarakashi (97 km), Yamunotri (232 km), Mussoorie (250 km) and Tehri (167 km).

Accommodation

UP Government Tourist Rest House.
Forest Rest Houses.
Ganga Niketan Hotel, Near Gangotri Temple, Gangotri, District Uttarkashi.
Forest Rest House.
PWD Inspection Bungalow.
There are a few dharamshalas and guesthouses that provide reasonable accommodation.

District
Uttarkashi
Location
18 kms downstream from Gaumukh is Gangotri
STD Code
01377
Termperature
Summer 10-15°C, Winter 0-10°C
Best time to visit
April to November

Yamunotri

State

Yamunotri, one of the four holy places, is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and is located atop the Bandhar Poonch Peak. It is the source of the river Yamuna and is famous for its thermal springs and glaciers, situated in the direction opposite to Gangotri and the road bifurcates and goes to Yamunotri from Dharasu, a place between Rishikesh-Uttarkashi. The route to this glacier is very arduous and so pilgrims generally offer their prayers at the temple itself. It can also be visited via Mussoorie and Barkot.

History

According to legend, holy Yamuna is the daughter of the Sun God, Surya and the Goddess of Consciousness, Sangya. Along with this, Yamuna is the sister of Yama, the God of death. This makes this place holy for any Hindu with a purpose that anyone who bathes in the waters of the river will never undergo a painful death.

Another legend says that the worshipped sage, Asit Muni, dwelled here in the ancient days.

According to the legend ancient sage Asit Muni had his hermitage here. All his life, he bathed daily both in Ganga and Yamuna. Unable to go to Gangotri during his old age, a stream of Ganga appeared opposite Yamunotri for him.

The temple and the place opens every year on the auspicious day of the akshya-tritya, which generally falls during the last week of April, or the first week of May.

The temple always closes on the sacred day of Diwali mid- Oct. - 1st week of Nov., with a brief ceremony, the temple staff return to their villages and for the rest of the time the valley is gripped in no man silence and covered with white sheet of snow. With melting of snow next summer, temple re-opens to blissful happiness of thousands of visitors again.

"The daughter of the Sun god, Surya and consciousness, Sangya the birth place of the Yamuna is the Champasar Glacier (4421 m) just below the Banderpoonch mountain. The mountain adjacent to the river source is dedicated to her father, and is called Kalinda Parvat. Kalinda being another name of Surya. Yamuna is known for her frivolousness, a trait that she developed because as per a common story - Yamuna's mother could never make eye contact with her dazzling husband.

Accessibility

By Air: Nearest airport is Jollygrant in Dehradun, which is 196 km away from Yamunotri. Jollygrant airport, Dehradun is connected to Delhi airport.

By Rail: Nearest railway station is Dehradun, which is nearly 172 km away from Yamunotri. This station is connected to all cities in India.

By Road
: Yamunotri is well connected to many cities in the region by buses from Hanuman Chatti, which is 14 km away from city. Private and public buses offer services from Hanuman Chatti to Rishikesh (213 km) and Dehradun (172 km).

Shopping

At an elevation of above 3000 mtrs, it reasonable not to expect markets. Untouched by man made structures this place promises free delights of nature and some basic utilities.

As the environment of Yamunotri is pious and religious, the visitors will find local markets selling the stuff for Puja and certain specialties. Apart from this, the visitors can also enjoy buying souvenirs and some holy dresses as a part of fashionable wears. Along with plenty of shopping options, the markets also have local restaurants that serve delicious and mouth watering food items. This will, definitely, make your journey quite enjoyable.

Accommodation

Yamunotri is a well known pilgrimage site in the state of Uttaranchal. Enjoy the benefits of wonderful accommodation in Yamunotri with a blend of charm and delight, you can choose to stay at any of the Yamunotri hotels. There are not many hotels and stay options in Yamunotri. The lodging here is limited to a few small ashrams and guest-houses. Pilgrims can find accommodation in the houses belonging to the 'Pandas' or the sole Dharamshala.

The Chardham Camp, Barkot
GMVN Rest House
Janki Chatti - GMVN Tourist Rest House
Syana Chatti - GMVN Tourist Rest House
Hanuman Chatti - GMVN Tourist Rest House
Himalayan Guest House
Hotel Kalindi
Chauhan Tourist Lodge

Attractions

Hot Water Springs
The hot water springs at Yamunotri attracts many a tourists. It is believed that the waters of the springs has curative powers. Here you can see people preparing potatoes and rice in the boiling waters of the springs. One of the hot springs here, Surya Kund deserves mention as it is at this kund where devotees cook rice and potatoes to offer at the temple.

Things to do

Trekking
A natural lake that happens to be the most enthralling spot in Yamunotri, Saptarishi Kund is regarded as the origin of Yamuna River. At an altitude of 4421 meters, this scenic spot is not easily accessible and it is considered as one among the most tedious treks in the Himalayas. A 10 kilometers awfully difficult journey covered with ice from Yamunotri. The exotic sight scenery of skating of the chirping flock through the snow covered ponds makes the trip a haunting memory.

Sapatarshi Kund offers an unruffled place on the backdrop of falcate glaciers, which holds the spectacular scenery of a partly visible peak of Banderpunch. With its murky bluish waters, pebbly banks and the rare display of Brahama lotus, Saptarshi Kund beholds delightful scenery. Before you venture your trip to Saptarsi Kund, it is necessary that you should familiarize with the climatic conditions of this region by staying a day at Yamunotri.

District
Uttarkashi
Location
278 kms from Dehradun
STD Code
01381
Termperature
Summer 6 to 20°C, Winter -7 to 5°C
Best time to visit
May-June, September-October
Famous For
One of the Char Dhams according to Hindu mythology, Yamunotri is the origin of the sacred river Yamuna.

Badrinath

State

Badrinath is situated in the lap of Nar-Narayan Parvat with the towering Neelkanth peak and is considered to be amongst the most pious. It is believed that to revive the lost prestige of Hinduism and to unite the country in one bond, Adi Guru Sri Shankaracharya built four pilgrimage centres in four corners of India: Badrikashram (Badrinath), Rameshwaram in the south, Dwarkapuri in the west and Jagannath Puri in the east.

Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kumarasastry/4962161660/

History

The mountains around Badrinath are mentioned in the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas are said to have ended their life by ascending the slopes of a peak in western Garhwal called Swargarohini - literally, the 'Ascent to Heaven'. Local legend has it that the Pandavas passed through Badrinath and the town of Mana, 4 km north of Badrinath, on their way to Swargarohini. There is also a cave in Mana where Vyas, according to legend, wrote the Mahabharata.

According to the Skanda Purana: “There are several sacred shrines in heaven, on earth, and in hell; but there is no shrine like Badrinath.”

The area around Badrinath was celebrated in Padma Purana as abounding in spiritual treasures.
According to Vamana Purana, the sages Nara and Narayana (fifth avatar of Lord Vishnu) perform Penances here.

Badrinath has also been eulogised as Bhu Vaikunta or earthly abode of Lord Vishnu. Many religious scholars such as Ramanujacharya, Madhawacharya and Vedanta Desika visited Badrinath and wrote sacred texts, such as commentaries on Brahmasutras and other Upanishads.

References to Sri Badrinath have been made in the Vedas & perhaps it was a popular shrine during the Vedic age also. The Skand Purana gives an account of the Adiguru consecrating the idol of Lord Badri Vishal in the temple after recovering it from Narad Kund, in a pursuance of a divine call from heaven. The idol is made of black stone similar to granite. So holy is the shrine that it forms one of the four prominent places of Hindu worship. The epic Mahabharat, it is believed, was composed in the Vyas & Ganesh caves close by. The Vishnu Ganga which later becomes the Alaknanda flows below the temple.

Accessibility

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, 317 km away, is the nearest airport to Badrinath. Nearest International airport is New Delhi, which is well connected to most of the major foreign cities.

By Rail:
Rishikesh (nearly 300 km), Haridwar (nearly 310 km) and Kotdwar (nearly 330 km) are the nearest railway stations. These railway stations are well connected to other cities in India.

By Road: There are many public and private buses from New Delhi, Rishikesh and Haridwar. Special tourist daily buses are also available from these places to Badrinath. It costs about Rs 700-900 per passenger.

Shopping

Shopping in Badrinath is defined by the various shops selling trinkets and other small souvenirs to take back home after a holiday in Badrinath. These include miniature “Salgram Silas” or the sacred stone of Lord Vishnu, who is the presiding deity of this revered temple town. Besides this, a number of shops sell woolens, which are the specialty shopping items of almost every hill station.

Attractions

Mata Murti Mela
Uttaranchal tourism promotes various fairs in Badrinath, that add the festive colour to the spiritual ambiance. Visit Badrinath during the month of September, when the annual Mata Murti ka Mela takes place in the honour of the mother of Lord Badrinath called Mata Murti Ka Mela. Another festival that represents the holy culture of Badrinath is Badri Kadar festival. It is an Eight day long festival is held in the month of June, and during this popular festival devouts pay their homage as per the tradition.

District
Chamoli
Location
317 kms from Dehradun
STD Code
01381
Termperature
Summer 12-18°C, Winter 8-10°C
Best time to visit
May to November