The Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand comprises four revered sacred sites: Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. These hold significant religious importance in India.
- Badrinath: Located in the town of Badrinath, Uttarakhand, the Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It forms one of the four Char Dham sites and is one of India’s most frequented pilgrimage centers, with a recorded annual visitation of 1,060,000 pilgrims. The temple stands against the backdrop of the Nar Parbat mountain, with Narayana Parbat situated behind the Neelakanta Peak. Nearby, Tapt Kund, a cluster of hot sulphur springs, is considered to have medicinal properties. Badrinath Temple is part of the Panch Badri, a group of five related shrines devoted to the worship of Vishnu.
- Kedarnath: Situated in the Garhwal Himalayan Range in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, Kedarnath Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is accessible only from late April to November due to extreme weather conditions. Lord Shiva is worshipped here as Kedarnath. The temple is not directly reachable by road and requires an 18-kilometer uphill trek from Gaurikund. Nestled at an elevation of 3,583 meters, it features a Garbhagriha, a Mandapa, and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers.
- Gangotri: Perched at an altitude of 3,100 meters on the Greater Himalayan Range, Gangotri is a Hindu pilgrim town in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand. It is located on the banks of the Bhagirathi River, the source of the River Ganges. According to Hindu legend, Goddess Ganga descended here when Lord Shiva released the mighty river from the locks of his hair. Gangotri is one of the four sites in the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuit. Notable Places to Visit near Gangotri Temple.
- Bhagirath Shila
- Pandava Gufa
- Yamunotri: Situated at an altitude of 3,293 meters in the Garhwal Himalayas, Yamunotri is the source of the Yamuna River and the abode of the Goddess Yamuna in Hinduism. Located 30 kilometers from Uttarkashi, its chief attraction is the temple dedicated to Goddess Yamuna and the sacred thermal springs at Janki Chatti. The temple, constructed by Maharaja Pratap Shah, houses a deity made of black marble. Close by, hot water springs emerge from mountain cavities.
These four sacred destinations are integral to the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, drawing pilgrims seeking spiritual solace and divine blessings amidst the breathtaking Himalayan landscapes.