India is a land of varied religions and is recognised as a sacred land with abundant quantities of Pilgrimage or Devotional tour destinations which attract a large number of tourists from across the world. Of all the religious pilgrimages Char Dham Yatra is one such pilgrimage that is dear to every Hindu in their annals. This revered pilgrimage involves visiting four sacred shrines located in the state of Uttarakhand: , a few of which include Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. All these shrines are gods related and have a tremendous spiritual importance to the folks of India.
What Char Dham Means?
It is to be noted that term Char Dham literally means four Dham whereas Dham means abode and these four abodes are considered as path to salvation. The Char Dham Yatra is not a journey in the real sense but a journey of the soul that cleanses one from within and fortifies the faith. In Hindu religion, it is believed that, the trip assists in achieving Moksha which is a good standing in the availability of a better life. The Four Sacred Shrines:
Yamunotri: It generally starts from Yamunotri, the place that is identified as the origin of the river Yamuna. This temple is descends on the Goddess Yamuna and it is situated at the height of 3293 meters. Yamunotri temple is blessed with Goddess Yamuna in which people come to get blessings of goddess and take bath in Yamuna river which helps in washing all the sins and helps in getting a long life.
Gangotri: The next destination is Gangotri that is the source of the sacred river Ganga. This temple is again a Shakti Peeth temple to Goddess Ganga and is sited at an altitude of 3,100 meters only. The river Ganges is worshipped as the most divine river in Hinduism where people can wash all sins with its waters. Numerous rituals and prayer ceremonies are performed at Gangotri temple because it is the sacred temple of the river goddess.
Kedarnath: The third shrine is that of Kedarnath which is highly revered and is a shrine of Lord Shiva. The one situated at a height of 11805 feet is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (sacred shrines of Lord Shiva) and forms the part of the Hindu religion belief. By tradition, the Pandavas go in search of shelter of Lord Shiva after the Mahabharata war. Lord Shiva was thus able to slip away from them time and again and finally took form of a bull at Kedar (Kedarnath). The fact that this temple is located at the center of snowy ranges of the Garhwal Himalayas enhances the edifice’s aura.
Badrinath: The ultimate religious getaway is to Badrinath and it is also an abode of Lord Vishnu. This temple is located at an elevation of 3,133 meters and it falls under the Char Dham and Chota Char Dham Yatra. Pauranic literature has it that Lord Vishnu performed penance here catching the divine goddess Lakshmi who took the form of berry tree or ‘badri’. The cultural importance of the temple is also related to Adi Shankaracharya who has constructed the temple in 8th century.
The Journey and the Struggles
The Char Dham Yatra is not just a spiritual quest but also a test of physical endurance. The process requires the persons to cross through rough paths, climb steep slopes and other associated features such as bad weather. His difficulties of his pilgrimage include; physical illnesses such as Acute Mountain sickness, cold climate and lack of amenities. Nevertheless, through these depictions, the pilgrims’ faith and perseverance compel the readers to see the journey as a representation of believers’ strong faith in the divine power.
Religious Practices and Festivals
Puja and festivals also vary in the Char Dham shrines as is followed in all the shrines. For example, the beginning and end of the days and the temples to have grand celebrations that signify different activities. The both Yamunotri Dham and Gangotri Dham are opened on Akshaya Tritiya and remain closed till Diwali. Both the Kedarnath and the Badrinath temples are opened during the summer and closed after Deepawali, though the exact dates are established by the priests through the measurement of the ecliptic.
Some of the rituals performed in the pilgrimage season includes: This time special arathi, abhisheka, and other pujas are performed. These rituals are as a way through which the devotees can spend close time with the gods and seek for spiritual intervention on their behalf and that of their families.
Conclusion
Char Dham Yatra is one of the most divine physical movements in India which has a significant relation with spirituality. It is a journey which, in addition to presenting proof of the religious history of the country of India, helps a person find himself and become better. For those who decide to go through this tough process, the Char Dham Yatra is an embodiment of believers’ faith and sincerest desire for getting blessings of almighty.
Thus, carrying out the Char Dham Yatra helps the devotees solidify their relations with their spiritual lineage and accept ancestral traditions. It is a long pilgrimage, which embodies the spirit of Hindu religion and which runs through millions of hearts every year.
