4 Dhams
THE HIMALAYAS
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The world's most majestic & loftiest mountain chain, is the global heritage of all mankind. Referred to as “Devbhoomi” or the Abode of Gods, the Garhwal Himalaya is the land of spiritual endeavour. It is the land of the most sacred shrines of the Hindus – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath, also known as the “Char Dham” of the region. Millions of devotees have walked these vales, to experience the sheer magnificence and the tranquil beauty, which immersed them into a world of spirituality experiencing the true peace and humility that stayed with them throughout the life.
YAMUNOTRI (The sacred Jewel of the Himalayas)
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The sacred shrine of Yamunotri, source of the river Yamuna, which emerges from a frozen lake of ice & glacier (Champasar glacier), located on the Kalind mountain at the height of 4421m above sea level, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, perched atop a flank of Bandar Poonch Peak (3615 m) & situated opposite to Gangotri. The temple is on the left bank of the river constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, the twin sister of Yama (God of death) and daughter of Lord Surya (Sun). 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. 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. Devotees 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.
GANGOTRI (The eternal gift of Bhagirath’s penance)
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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. At present, the source can be seen 18kms away from the main temple at Gaumukh (like a cows mouth) in Gangotri glacier. The river itself begins at Gangotri which literally means Ganga Uttari or Ganga Descending and is called Bhagirathi at her legendary source. The temple of Gangotri, made of white Granite is situated at an elevation of 3200m above sea level amidst captivating surroundings along the right bank of Bhagirathi, and was constructed in the early 18th century by Gorkha Commander Amar Sigh Thapa.
KEDARNATH (The celestial Jyotirlingam)
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Kedarnath, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, situated at an altitude of 3584m above sea level, at the head of river Mandakini, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. Made of evenly cut gray slabs of stone, the temple rests on a rectangular base. Inside there is a sanctum where a conical shaped rock is present encircled by narrow pradakshina path, which is worshipped as Lord Shiva. Pilgrims carry water of river Ganga from Gangotri as it’s costumary to worship Shiva with water of Ganga. It is no wonder that Adi Guru Shankaracharya - a great scholar & saint, chose to attain Samadhi behind Kedarnath temple at the young age of 32, as this is the place where the unholy becomes holy and the holy becomes holier. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption.
BADRINATH (Abode of Lord Vishnu)
*****************
Badrinath is situated on the right bank of the river Alaknanda, at an elevation of 3,133m above sea level, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. Built by Adi Shankaracharaya, the philosopher-saint of the 8th century, the temple has been renovated several times due to damage by avalanches and restored in the 19th century by the royal houses of Scindia & Holkar. The main entrance gate is colourful & imposing popularly known as Singhdwar. Almost 3 km north of Badrinath, Mana is the last Indian village before the Tibetan border. The idol inside the temple is of black stone showing Lord Vishnu sitting in “Padmasan” or lotus posture. (source : FB)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nS0PgukNkk
THE HIMALAYAS
**************
The world's most majestic & loftiest mountain chain, is the global heritage of all mankind. Referred to as “Devbhoomi” or the Abode of Gods, the Garhwal Himalaya is the land of spiritual endeavour. It is the land of the most sacred shrines of the Hindus – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath & Badrinath, also known as the “Char Dham” of the region. Millions of devotees have walked these vales, to experience the sheer magnificence and the tranquil beauty, which immersed them into a world of spirituality experiencing the true peace and humility that stayed with them throughout the life.
YAMUNOTRI (The sacred Jewel of the Himalayas)
*****************
The sacred shrine of Yamunotri, source of the river Yamuna, which emerges from a frozen lake of ice & glacier (Champasar glacier), located on the Kalind mountain at the height of 4421m above sea level, is the westernmost shrine in the Garhwal Himalayas, perched atop a flank of Bandar Poonch Peak (3615 m) & situated opposite to Gangotri. The temple is on the left bank of the river constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah of Tehri Garhwal, dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, the twin sister of Yama (God of death) and daughter of Lord Surya (Sun). 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. 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. Devotees 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.
GANGOTRI (The eternal gift of Bhagirath’s penance)
*******************
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. At present, the source can be seen 18kms away from the main temple at Gaumukh (like a cows mouth) in Gangotri glacier. The river itself begins at Gangotri which literally means Ganga Uttari or Ganga Descending and is called Bhagirathi at her legendary source. The temple of Gangotri, made of white Granite is situated at an elevation of 3200m above sea level amidst captivating surroundings along the right bank of Bhagirathi, and was constructed in the early 18th century by Gorkha Commander Amar Sigh Thapa.
KEDARNATH (The celestial Jyotirlingam)
********************
Kedarnath, one of the 12 jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, situated at an altitude of 3584m above sea level, at the head of river Mandakini, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range. Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer. Made of evenly cut gray slabs of stone, the temple rests on a rectangular base. Inside there is a sanctum where a conical shaped rock is present encircled by narrow pradakshina path, which is worshipped as Lord Shiva. Pilgrims carry water of river Ganga from Gangotri as it’s costumary to worship Shiva with water of Ganga. It is no wonder that Adi Guru Shankaracharya - a great scholar & saint, chose to attain Samadhi behind Kedarnath temple at the young age of 32, as this is the place where the unholy becomes holy and the holy becomes holier. According to legend, the Pandavas after having won over the Kaurava in the Kurukshetra war, felt guilty of having killed their own brothers and sought the blessings of Lord Shiva for redemption.
BADRINATH (Abode of Lord Vishnu)
*****************
Badrinath is situated on the right bank of the river Alaknanda, at an elevation of 3,133m above sea level, guarded on either side by the two mountain ranges known as Nar & Narayan with the towering Neelkanth Peak providing a splendid backdrop. Built by Adi Shankaracharaya, the philosopher-saint of the 8th century, the temple has been renovated several times due to damage by avalanches and restored in the 19th century by the royal houses of Scindia & Holkar. The main entrance gate is colourful & imposing popularly known as Singhdwar. Almost 3 km north of Badrinath, Mana is the last Indian village before the Tibetan border. The idol inside the temple is of black stone showing Lord Vishnu sitting in “Padmasan” or lotus posture. (source : FB)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nS0PgukNkk
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