Yamunotri Gangotri Kedarnath Badrinath Yathra

HARIDWAR

The journey starts from Haridwar (Gateway of Hari), the kaleidoscope of Indian culture and development. In sacred writings, it has been differently specified as Kapilsthan, Gangadwar, and Mayapuri. According to scriptural references, it was in Haridwar that Goddess Ganga descended when Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. The River Ganga, after flowing for 253 kilometers (157 mi) from its source at Gaumukh at the edge of the Gangotri Glacier, enters the Gangetic Plain for the first time at Haridwar, which gave the city its ancient name, Gangadwára.

GANGOTRI

Gangotri is a town in Uttarkashi district in the state of Uttarakhand. At an altitude of 3,100 meters, It is a major Hindu pilgrim town on the banks of the river Bhagirathi; and is known as the origin point of the River Ganges. According to Hindu scriptures, it was here that Goddess Ganga descended from heaven to earth; into the locks of Lord Shiva’s hair and the place where King Bhagirath performed penance after which River Ganga came down on the earth.

YAMUNOTRI

The source of River Yamuna, Yamunotri is also one of the four sites of Char Dham pilgrimage. Yamunotri is located at a height of 3293 mts above sea level and is located in Uttarkashi district. Mountains on all sides surround it and lies close to the Indo-China border. It is known for offering peace and tranquility to its visitors. Yamunotri is the place where pilgrims seek the blessings of Yamuna, who is the sister of Yama, the God of death.

KEDARNATH

Kedarnath Temple is a Hindu temple (shrine) dedicated to the Lord Shiva. Located on the Garhwali Himalayan range near the Mandakini River, Kedarnath is in Uttarakhand, India. According to Hindu legends, the temple was initially built by Pandavas and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest Hindu shrines of Shiva. Pandavas was supposed to have pleased Shiva by doing penance in Kedarnath.

BADRINATH

Badrinath is the place which is Guarded by the two mountains, Nar and Narayan. It is also called by the name “Badri Van” because Lord Vishnu appeared here. The most famous temple is Badrinath Dham Temple.

TRIYUGINARAYAN TEMPLE

Triyuginarayan Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Triyuginarayan village in Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand. The ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Its fame is credited to the legend of Lord Shiva’s marriage to goddess Parvati witnessed by Vishnu at this venue and is thus a popular pilgrimage centre. A special feature of this temple is a perpetual fire that keeps burning in front of the temple. The flame is believed to burn from the times of the divine marriage. Thus, the temple is also known as Akhand Dhuni temple.

TUNGNATH TEMPLE

Tungnath peacefully adorned on the Chandranath Parvat is the highest Shiva temple in the world and the highest Panch Kedar temple in the Indian state of Uttarakhand.  The Tungnath (literal meaning: Lord of the peaks) mountains form the Mandakini and Alaknanda River valleys. It is the third (Tritiya Kedar) in the pecking order of the Panch Kedars. Tungnath is perched at an elevation of 3, 680 meters above sea level and is considered to be more than 1,000 years old.

RISHIKESH

From there to Rishikesh, the “Yoga Capital of the World“. Rishikesh was part of the legendary “Kedarkhand” mentioned in the Skanda Purana. Legends state that Rama did penance here for killing Ravana, the asura king of Lanka. The scenic beauty of Rishikesh is due to its location at the foothills of the lofty Garhwal Himalayas is accentuated by the mighty Ganges cutting right through the city. The picturesque city looks suspended between the stunning riverside promenades, acres of forests, lush mountains, and clear blue skies lending it a surreal appearance. The city is synonymous with its grand temples, rituals, and architecture.